History of Hollywood Bowl in Timeline

The Hollywood Bowl is a renowned amphitheater and public park located in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles. Recognized as one of the top 10 live music venues in the U.S. by Rolling Stone in 2018, it holds a significant place in American musical culture. In 2023, the Hollywood Bowl was added to the National Register of Historic Places, solidifying its historical importance.

1919: Site Selection for Hollywood Bowl

In 1919, William Reed and his son H. Ellis Reed selected Daisy Dell in Bolton Canyon as the site for outdoor performances by the Theatre Arts Alliance, marking the beginning of the Hollywood Bowl.

November 11, 1921: Women's World Peace Concert and First Sunrise Service

On November 11, 1921, the Hollywood Bowl hosted the Women's World Peace Concert and held its first Sunrise Service, marking two of its initial significant events.

1921: Children's Performance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic

In 1921, children were invited to perform at community events with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Hollywood Community Chorus, beginning with Sibelius' Finlandia.

July 11, 1922: Official Opening of the Hollywood Bowl

On July 11, 1922, the Hollywood Bowl officially opened with the construction of a stage made of wooden platforms and canvas.

1922: Stage Construction

In 1922, proceeds from early events at the Bowl were used to finance the construction of a new stage.

1923: Seating Construction

In 1923, proceeds from early events at the Bowl were used to finance the construction of seating.

1924: Stage Backdrop Addition

In 1924, a backdrop was added to the stage at the Hollywood Bowl, enhancing the performance space.

1924: Land Deeded to Los Angeles County

In 1924, the land on which the Hollywood Bowl is situated was deeded to the County of Los Angeles.

1925: Fritz Reiner joins from the Cincinnati Symphony

In 1925 Fritz Reiner migrated to the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra from the Cincinnati Symphony

1925: Performance by "Bowl Orchestra"

In 1925, a "Bowl Orchestra" performed at the Hollywood Bowl.

1926: Maud Allen's Performance and Ernest Belcher's Ballet Scene

In 1926, ballet dancer Maud Allen performed during Tschaikowsky's Pathétique Symphony, and Ernest Belcher arranged a ballet scene for Bowl Dedication Night.

1926: Original Band Shell Design

In 1926, the Allied Architects Association designed the original band shell. However, it was deemed visually and acoustically unacceptable.

1927: Performance of Santuzza in Cavalleria

In 1927, Elsa Alsen performed Santuzza in Cavalleria at the Hollywood Bowl.

1927: Lloyd Wright's Pyramidal Shell

In 1927, Lloyd Wright designed a pyramidal band shell. Its acoustics were considered excellent, but its avant-garde appearance led to its demolition at the end of the season.

1927: Performances by Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn

In 1927, Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn performed solo dances under the direction of Hertz, raising their arms to point at the California Stars during the Russian Ballet.

1928: Performances by Andreas Pavley and Serge Oukrainsky

In 1928, Andreas Pavley, a tenor, and Serge Oukrainsky, a ballet dancer, performed at the Hollywood Bowl. Oukrainsky later performed the ballet La Fete a Robinson alone after Pavley's death.

1928: Lloyd Wright's Concentric Ring Shell

In 1928, Lloyd Wright designed a wooden shell with a concentric ring motif. The 2004 shell incorporates the broad profile of the 1928 shell.

1928: Live Recording by "Hollywood Bowl Orchestra"

In 1928, the "Hollywood Bowl Orchestra" made a live recording.

1929: Norma Gould's Dancers Performance

In 1929, Norma Gould brought her Los Angeles dancers to the bowl to perform during Schubert's Unfinished Symphony and Tschaikowsky's Nut-Cracker Suite.

1929: Performance of Carmen

In 1929, a concertized form of the opera Carmen was performed by Alice Genytle, Paul Althouse and Alexander Kisselburgh. The same cast later performed moments from the opera Tannhäuser.

1929: Construction of the Transite Bandshell

In 1929, the Allied Architects built a bandshell with a transite skin over a metal frame. The 2004 shell incorporates the unadorned white finish (and most of the general lines) of the 1929 shell.

August 1930: Michio Ito's Russian Ballet Performance

In August 1930, Michio Ito brought five dancers to the Hollywood Bowl to perform in the Russian Ballet Prince Igor.

1931: Adolph Bolm's Performances

In 1931, Adolph Bolm performed at the Bowl for Debussy's Les Nuages. He also performed The Spirt factory, later called the Mechanical Ballet, composed by Alaxander Mosolov, with dancers Elise Reiman and Robert Bell.

1931: Segments of Marouf Performance

In 1931, Los Angeles Grand Opera performed segments of Marouf at the Hollywood Bowl.

1932: Samson and Delilah Performance

In 1932, Samson and Delilah was performed by Paul Althouse, local singers, the Belcher Ballet and the Civic Chorus in concert style.

1932: Belcher's Ballet and Kosloff Performances

In 1932, the Belcher's ballet was performed in Greek Costumes as a dedication to the Olympic-Games Athletes. Alexis and Theodore Kosloff performed the ballet Scheherazade. Theodore Klosloff also performed the Flower and the ballet Chopiniana was performed.

1934: Performances by Nina Koshetz and Nelson Eddy

In 1934, Nina Koshetz performed Carmen, and Nelson Eddy sang Escamillo in the opera Carmen. Koshetz also sang the lead in Tschaikowsky's Eugene Onegin.

1935: Performance of Lohengrin

In 1935, Lohengrin was performed, with Jeanette Vreeland performing Elsa and Dan Gridley performing Lonhengrin.

1940: Installation of Muse Fountain

In 1940, the Muse Fountain, designed by Oscar statuette designer George Stanley, was installed outside the Hollywood Bowl's main entrance.

1945: Formation of Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra

In 1945, Leopold Stokowski formed the "Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra" and served as music director. He released a number of 78 rpm recordings with them for RCA Victor.

1946: Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra recording

In 1946, Leopold Stokowski continued as music director of the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra. He released a number of 78 rpm recordings with them for RCA Victor.

1951: Financial Crisis and Reopening

In 1951, a financial crisis forced the Hollywood Bowl to close during its summer season. Dorothy Chandler organized a fundraising concert series to reopen it.

1953: Addition of Reflecting Pool

In 1953, a reflecting pool was added in front of the stage at the Hollywood Bowl.

1953: Partnership with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

In 1953, the Hollywood Bowl partnered with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (formerly Southern California Rapid Transit District) to provide green alternatives to driving, such as shuttle buses.

1972: Removal of Reflecting Pool

In 1972, the reflecting pool in front of the Hollywood Bowl stage was removed.

1984: Opening of the Tea Room

In 1984, the Tea Room opened at the bottom of Peppertree Lane, which would later become the Hollywood Bowl Museum.

1991: Hollywood Bowl Orchestra Re-launch

In 1991, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association re-launched the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra under principal conductor John Mauceri.

1996: Rebuilt as Edmund D. Edelman Hollywood Bowl Museum

In 1996, the Tea Room was rebuilt as the Edmund D. Edelman Hollywood Bowl Museum, featuring historical exhibits such as Summer Nights: Jazz at the Bowl and Beatles at the Bowl.

2003: Bandshell Replacement

In 2003, the original bandshell, which had been in place since 1929, was removed to make way for a larger bandshell.

2003: Bugs Bunny on Broadway

In September 2003, "Bugs Bunny On Broadway" was the final Los Angeles Philharmonic concert to be performed in the 1929 shell before its demolition started the following day, making way for the new shell.

2003: Demolition of the 1929 Bandshell

Shortly after the end of the 2003 summer season, the 1929 bandshell was demolished, despite opposition, to make way for a new, acoustically improved shell.

2004: New Bandshell Design Elements and Curtain

The 2004 bandshell incorporated elements from the 1926, 1928, and 1929 shells. A white curtain was hung at the back of the shell because the back wall was not yet finished.

2004: New Bandshell Debut

The 2004 season marked the debut of a new, larger bandshell, replacing the original one.

2004: Debut of the New Bandshell

The 2004 summer season marked the debut of the new, somewhat larger, acoustically improved bandshell, incorporating design elements of previous shells. During the 2004 summer season, the sound steadily improved, as engineers learned to work with its live acoustics.

2005: Removal of the Back Curtain

Beginning with the 2005 season, the white curtain at the back of the new bandshell was removed to reveal a finished back wall.

2006: John Mauceri's Tenure Completion

In 2006, John Mauceri completed his tenure as principal conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.

2013: Inspiration for Vinewood Bowl in Grand Theft Auto V

In 2013, the Hollywood Bowl heavily inspired the creation of the Vinewood Bowl in the video game Grand Theft Auto V.

2018: Top Live Music Venue

In 2018, Rolling Stone magazine recognized the Hollywood Bowl as one of the 10 best live music venues in the United States.

2023: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

In 2023, the Hollywood Bowl was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its cultural and historical significance.

2024: Parking Changes and Shuttle Expansion

In 2024, the Hollywood Bowl decreased on-site parking, implemented a rideshare parking lot, raised parking fees, and increased shuttle services.

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