"Could it be that someone is trying to imitate the Hard Rock"

Yes, that is exactly it, and the Hard Rock is running scared. Hard Rock reps (who no longer work there) told me 2 years ago that the Palms (which wasn't yet opened) was going to be their biggest competition. They snagged Jimmy Tipton (as I'm told -- he's a hot rock-star-style casino host, well out of my league). THe Palms is trying to become the new Hard Rock. They're giving them a darn good run if you ask me.