Crown & Anchor British Pub, located at 1350 E. Tropicana Ave, has been a beloved spot for locals for over 30 years. Unfortunately, the iconic pub has recently closed its doors, leaving behind a rich history that includes inspiring one of The Killers’ most famous songs, “Mr. Brightside.”
The story goes back to when Brandon Flowers, then a 20-year-old musician and bellman at Gold Coast, discovered his girlfriend cheating on him at Crown & Anchor. This heartbreaking experience served as the catalyst for Flowers to complete the song “Mr. Brightside.” The song, which features Dave Keuning’s iconic guitar riff and vivid lyrics depicting infidelity, became The Killers’ first-ever written song and went on to become a massive hit.
“Mr. Brightside” is not only The Killers’ best-selling song but also holds the record for being the top-selling single in the U.K. that never reached No. 1. The song has maintained its popularity over the years, consistently appearing in the U.K.’s Official Charts for two decades. It even reached No. 10 on the charts in May 2004 and remains one of the best-selling songs in the U.K. when combining sales and streams.
Interestingly, “Mr. Brightside” has found its way into unexpected places, such as being adopted as the unofficial fight song for Michigan’s football team. The song continues to resonate with audiences worldwide and will be featured in The Killers’ upcoming residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, where they will perform their debut album “Hot Fuss” in its entirety from August 14-30.
Brandon Flowers reflected on the impact of “Mr. Brightside” in a recent interview, expressing his awe at the song’s enduring popularity and success. Despite being the driving force behind the song’s creation, Flowers admits to feeling somewhat detached from its immense fame, acknowledging its existence as something bigger than himself.
As fans bid farewell to Crown & Anchor British Pub, they can take solace in knowing that the memories and stories born within its walls, including the inspiration for “Mr. Brightside,” will continue to live on through the music of The Killers. The closure of this iconic pub marks the end of an era, but its legacy will forever remain intertwined with the history of rock music and the creative genius of artists like Brandon Flowers and The Killers.
