History of Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Timeline
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, located near Denver, Colorado, is a renowned open-air venue owned and operated by the city. Its defining features are the massive sandstone monoliths, Ship Rock and Creation Rock, flanking the seating area along with the smaller Stage Rock, naturally forming the amphitheater. With a capacity of 9,525, Red Rocks primarily hosts concerts and music festivals but also accommodates various other events throughout the year, making it a significant landmark and entertainment destination.
21 hours ago : Skrillex Announces a 5-Hour DJ Set at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in 2025
Skrillex is set to perform a 5-hour DJ set at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Disco Lines, a Boulder DJ, will also perform, marking a career milestone by playing at the iconic venue.
May 31, 1906: Grand Opening of the Garden of the Titans
On May 31, 1906, the Grand Opening of the Garden of the Titans was held, featuring Pietro Satriano and his 25-piece brass band, marking the formal opening of the amphitheater to the public after its purchase by John Brisben Walker.
1906: John Brisben Walker Purchases Red Rocks
In 1906, John Brisben Walker, a magazine editor, purchased Red Rocks.
1909: Mount Morrison Cable Incline Railway Operation
In 1909, the Mount Morrison Cable Incline funicular railway began operation, transporting tourists from the lower park area to the top of Mount Morrison for approximately five years.
May 10, 1911: Mary Garden Performance
On May 10, 1911, opera singer Mary Garden performed at Red Rocks, calling it the finest venue at which she had ever performed.
1927: City of Denver Purchases Red Rocks
In 1927, George Cranmer convinced the City of Denver to purchase the Red Rocks area from John Brisben Walker for $54,133, officially naming it "Red Rocks" Amphitheatre.
1936: Construction of the Amphitheater Begins
In 1936, construction of the amphitheater began, utilizing labor and materials from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) as part of the New Deal program.
June 15, 1941: Formal Dedication of Red Rocks Amphitheatre
On June 15, 1941, the Red Rocks Amphitheatre was formally dedicated with a performance by Helen Jepson.
1947: Regular Concert Seasons Begin
In 1947, Red Rocks started holding regular concert seasons almost every year.
July 23, 1948: Igor Stravinsky Conducts Denver Symphony
On July 23, 1948, Igor Stravinsky conducted the Denver Symphony at Red Rocks.
1957: Red Rocks Selected for AIA Centennial Exhibition
In 1957, Red Rocks was selected by the American Institute of Architects as Colorado's entry for the AIA's Centennial Exhibition at the National Gallery of Art.
1958: Van Cliburn Performance
In 1958, Van Cliburn performed at Red Rocks to a sold-out crowd.
August 26, 1964: The Beatles Perform at Red Rocks
On August 26, 1964, The Beatles performed at Red Rocks; this was the only concert that was not sold out during their US tour. Beatles drummer Ringo Starr recalled the thin air and oxygen canisters.
August 29, 1965: Johnny Cash Headlines First Country and Western Show
On August 29, 1965, Johnny Cash headlined the first country and western show at Red Rocks.
September 1, 1968: Jimi Hendrix Performance
On September 1, 1968, Jimi Hendrix, along with Vanilla Fudge and Soft Machine, performed at Red Rocks. It was the first Red Rocks show booked by concert promoter Barry Fey.
August 14, 1969: Diana Ross & the Supremes Performance
On August 14, 1969, Diana Ross & the Supremes performed at Red Rocks.
June 10, 1971: Riot at Red Rocks During Jethro Tull Concert
On June 10, 1971, a riot occurred during a sold-out Jethro Tull performance when ticketless individuals attempted to breach the police line, leading to tear gas being deployed and a subsequent five-year ban on rock concerts at Red Rocks.
1975: Barry Fey Challenges Rock Concert Ban
In 1975, Barry Fey legally challenged the city's ban on rock concerts after being denied a permit to book the band America. The court ruled the city had acted "arbitrarily and capricious[ly]" in banning rock concerts.
1976: Rock Concerts Welcomed Back to Red Rocks
Starting in the summer of 1976, rock bands were once again welcomed to perform at Red Rocks.
July 7, 1978: Grateful Dead Performance
On July 7, 1978, The Grateful Dead performed at Red Rocks. The performance was later released as part of the July 1978: The Complete Recordings box set.
July 8, 1978: Grateful Dead Performance
On July 8, 1978, The Grateful Dead performed at Red Rocks. This performance was released as part of the July 1978: The Complete Recordings box set, and also had a stand-alone release, "Red Rocks: 7/8/78".
July 1978: July 1978: The Complete Recordings Box Set
In July 1978, The Complete Recordings box set featuring The Grateful Dead's performances was released.
July 1978: Grateful Dead Concert Release
In July 1978, The Grateful Dead performed at Red Rocks 20 times. 7/7/78 and 7/8/78 have been released in their entirety on July 1978: The Complete Recordings and Red Rocks: 7/8/78.
June 5, 1983: U2 Performs During War Tour
On June 5, 1983, U2 performed at Red Rocks during their War Tour. The show was filmed for the concert film "U2 Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky" and the music video for "Sunday Bloody Sunday". Some songs were also released on the live album "Under a Blood Red Sky".
1983: U2 Concert Video Release
In 1983, U2's concert video, Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky, was filmed. It became a bestselling long-form concert video, and the performance of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" was frequently played on MTV.
July 1, 1986: Depeche Mode Performance
On July 1, 1986, Depeche Mode performed at Red Rocks.
August 1986: Stevie Nicks Concert DVD Release
In August 1986, Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks released a 60-minute-long DVD of her concert at the amphitheatre, towards the end of her Rock a Little tour.
1987: Grateful Dead Played Red Rocks 20 Times
By 1987, the Grateful Dead had played Red Rocks 20 times between 1978 and 1987.
1987: Gary Hart Presidential Campaign Announcement
In 1987, former Colorado Senator Gary Hart announced his campaign for president with a press conference at Red Rocks.
June 7, 1988: Jethro Tull Returns to Red Rocks
On June 7, 1988, Jethro Tull returned to Red Rocks for a performance.
1990: Depeche Mode World Violation Tour
In 1990, Depeche Mode performed at Red Rocks on July 11 and 12 during their World Violation Tour.
1990: The Adventures of Ford Fairlane Filming
In 1990, part of the film The Adventures of Ford Fairlane was filmed at Red Rocks. Opening sequences feature the fictional rock band "Black Plague" playing at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
1992: The Moody Blues Performance with Colorado Symphony Orchestra
In 1992, The Moody Blues performed live for the first time with a symphony orchestra for the PBS special "A Night at Red Rocks with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra". The concert was also released on CD and DVD, along with a companion DVD, The Other Side of Red Rocks, which documented show rehearsals and preparation, as well as concert excerpts.
1993: Blues Traveler's Fourth of July Tradition
Since 1993, Blues Traveler has played at Red Rocks every Fourth of July, with one exception.
1994: Big Head Todd and the Monsters Perform
In 1994, Colorado band Big Head Todd and the Monsters performed at Red Rocks.
1995: Big Head Todd and the Monsters Performance
In 1995, local Colorado band Big Head Todd and the Monsters performed at Red Rocks, capturing what has become a local annual early season tradition.
August 1996: Phish Banned After Concerts
In August 1996, Phish was banned from performing at Red Rocks after four concerts due to accusations that fans without tickets started a riot outside the amphitheater.
1999: John Popper Unable to Play
In 1999, Blues Traveler's lead singer John Popper was unable to play at Red Rocks due to heart surgery, breaking their Fourth of July tradition.
1999: Red Rocks Award Created
In 1999, after Red Rocks received Pollstar magazine's award for best small outdoor venue for the eleventh time, the magazine renamed the award the "Red Rocks Award" and removed Red Rocks from future consideration.
June 28, 2000: Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band Performance
On June 28, 2000, Ringo Starr returned to Red Rocks with his All-Starr Band and inquired if anyone in the audience had attended the Beatles concert 36 years prior.
August 7, 2000: Film on the Rocks Series Started
On August 7, 2000, the "Film on the Rocks" series started with a screening of "Casablanca".
2000: Neil Young "Silver and Gold" Tour
In 2000, the live Neil Young album Road Rock Vol. 1 and its accompanying DVD, Red Rocks Live, were filmed and recorded at Red Rocks during the "Silver and Gold" tour.
2003: Big Head Todd and the Monsters DVD and Live Album Release
In 2003, Big Head Todd and the Monsters released a DVD and live album of their 1995 performance, capturing what has become a local annual early season tradition.
2003: Carved In Stone – Volume 1 Album Release
In 2003, the two-volume album, Carved In Stone– Volume 1, featured live recordings of 10 artists including R.E.M., Ben Harper, Coldplay, The Allman Brothers Band, and Phish, with proceeds benefiting "Preserve The Rocks Fund", a donation-driven reserve dedicated to the rehabilitation and preservation of the historic Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
August 26, 2004: 1964 Beatles-Tribute Band Re-enactment
On August 26, 2004, the East-Coast-based Beatles-tribute band 1964 was flown to Denver to re-enact the Beatles concert held at Red Rocks exactly forty years earlier.
2005: Dave Matthews Band's Weekend on the Rocks Compilation
In 2005, Dave Matthews Band's CD/DVD Weekend on the Rocks was released, which is a compilation of the band's four-night run in 2005, their last performances at the venue.
2005: Trey Anastasio Performance Excerpt
In 2005, Phish frontman Trey Anastasio included excerpts from his performance at Red Rocks on the DVD that accompanied his album Shine.
2006: The Fray Performance
In 2006, Colorado band The Fray performed at Red Rocks.
August 2007: Gary Allan Music Video Filming
In August 2007, country musician Gary Allan filmed the music video for his song "Watching Airplanes" during a live, sold-out concert at Red Rocks.
October 2007: Carved In Stone – Volume 2 Album Release
In October 2007, Carved In Stone – Volume 2, Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre was released. Erik Dyce, Trevor Pryce of Outlook Music Co., and Jeff Giarraputo of Factory Labs were the executive producers, making it the first venue to issue a CD and the first commercial release of these live tunes.
May 2008: Insane Clown Posse Hatchet Attacks Super Show
In May 2008, Insane Clown Posse played with Twiztid, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Boondox, the Axe Murder Boyz, Grave Plott, The ROC, and Motown Rage at Red Rocks to perform the 'first annual' Hatchet Attacks Super Show, for which they released a video later that year.
June 2008: Big Head Todd and the Monsters Performance
In June 2008, Big Head Todd and the Monsters performed at Red Rocks and in 2009, they followed the original recording with a two-CD/1DVD set from their June 2008 performance.
August 12, 2008: Jethro Tull Returns to Red Rocks
On August 12, 2008, Jethro Tull returned to Red Rocks for a performance.
2008: DeVotchKa Performance
In 2008, Colorado band DeVotchKa performed at Red Rocks.
July 2009: Phish Returns to Red Rocks
In July 2009, Phish was invited to perform at Red Rocks again, after being banned since 1996.
August 27, 2009: Depeche Mode Tour of the Universe
On August 27, 2009, Depeche Mode performed at Red Rocks during their Tour of the Universe. The show was recorded for their live album project "Recording the Universe".
August 29, 2009: Depeche Mode Recording the Universe Show
On August 29, 2009, Depeche Mode recorded their show at the amphitheatre for their live album project, Recording the Universe.
2009: Big Head Todd and the Monsters Recording Release
In 2009, Big Head Todd and the Monsters released a two-CD/1DVD set from their June 2008 performance.
June 8, 2011: Jethro Tull Returns to Red Rocks
On June 8, 2011, Jethro Tull returned to Red Rocks for a performance.
August 2, 2011: A Perfect Circle Live Recording
On August 2, 2011, A Perfect Circle recorded the DVD portion of their A Perfect Circle Live: Featuring Stone and Echo box set. Also included in the box set is a CD of the audio from the show.
August 29, 2012: Mumford & Sons Live Performance Recording
On August 29, 2012, Mumford & Sons recorded their live performance of their first single, "I Will Wait" from their new CD Babel at the amphitheatre. The band also recorded a full-length DVD of their show at Red Rocks on August 28 and 29, 2012, entitled The Road To Red Rocks.
September 9, 2012: Mumford & Sons "I Will Wait" Video Release
On September 9, 2012, Mumford & Sons released their live performance of "I Will Wait" recorded on August 29, 2012, at Red Rocks as the band's official video for the song.
2012: 3OH!3 and Pretty Lights Performances
In 2012, Colorado artists 3OH!3 and Pretty Lights performed at Red Rocks.
2013: OneRepublic and The Lumineers Performances
In 2013, Colorado bands OneRepublic and The Lumineers performed at Red Rocks.
September 1, 2014: OneRepublic Announces Special Performance
On September 1, 2014, OneRepublic, a band hailing from Colorado Springs, announced they would be heading back to Red Rocks for a special performance to close out the North American leg of their Native Summer Tour. During the performance they recorded footage for the "I Lived" music video.
September 25, 2014: OneRepublic "I Lived" Music Video Release
On September 25, 2014, OneRepublic released the "I Lived" music video, which was recorded at Red Rocks. The performance of the song was done to help spread awareness for cystic fibrosis and to share Bryan's journey with the disease.
2014: Colorado Symphony's Cannabis-Themed Show
In 2014, after marijuana legalization in Colorado, the Colorado Symphony played a cannabis-themed "Red Rocks on a High Note" show.
June 10, 2015: Barenaked Ladies Performance
On June 10, 2015, Barenaked Ladies performed at Red Rocks on their Last Summer on Earth 2015 tour. The performance was aired on AXS TV, then later released on May 20, 2016, as a live album titled BNL Rocks Red Rocks.
June 2015: Colorado Music Hall of Fame Opens
In June 2015, the Colorado Music Hall of Fame opened its doors in the Trading Post at Red Rocks.
2015: Grateful Dead Record Surpassed
In 2015, the Grateful Dead no longer held the record for most sold out performances at Red Rocks.
May 20, 2016: Barenaked Ladies Live Album Release
On May 20, 2016, Barenaked Ladies live performance from June 10, 2015, at Red Rocks was released as a live album titled BNL Rocks Red Rocks.
2016: Strawberry Runners Performance
In 2016, Colorado band Strawberry Runners performed at Red Rocks.
May 11, 2017: Opeth and Gojira Performances
On May 11, 2017, Opeth and Gojira performed at Red Rocks.
November 16, 2017: Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre History and Geology Retrieved
On November 16, 2017, information about Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre History and Geology was retrieved.
2017: Bad Company Performed
In 2017 the English hard rock supergroup Bad Company performed.
November 2, 2018: Opeth Live DVD and Blu-ray Release
On November 2, 2018, Opeth released a live DVD and Blu-ray of their May 11, 2017, performance at Red Rocks.
2018: Yo-Yo Ma's Tour of Bach's Cello Suites
In 2018, Yo-Yo Ma began his tour of Bach's Cello Suites at Red Rocks.
October 5, 2019: AJR's Sold-Out Show
On October 5, 2019, AJR played a sold-out show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre as part of their Neotheater World Tour.
2019: NOFX Live Recording
In 2019, The American pop-punk band Nofx released a live recording of their full 18-minute song "The Decline (EP)" featuring Baz's orchestra in a 2019 performance at the venue.
May 20, 2020: Gojira Concert Release on YouTube
On May 20, 2020, Gojira released the full concert, titled Live At Red Rocks, on YouTube from their May 11, 2017 performance.
September 2020: Virtual and Drive-In Events During Pandemic
In September 2020, virtual shows were streamed live from Red Rocks. Drive-in movies and Denver Film Festival's red carpet movies were held at the venue, despite a temporary closure of all venues.
October 2020: Stage Roof Replacement
In October 2020, construction commenced to replace the existing stage roof and enhance the structure's rigging capacity.
2020: Colorado Symphony Strings During Pandemic
During the 2020 pandemic, the Colorado Symphony Strings played sold-out Acoustic on the Rocks shows in July and August, following social-distancing guidelines at Red Rocks.
2020: Red Rocks Shut Down Temporarily Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2020, Red Rocks was temporarily shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
September 2021: Bill Burr Comedy Special Filmed
In September 2021, Comedian Bill Burr filmed a comedy special at Red Rocks.
2021: Red Rocks Named Top-Grossing Venue
In 2021, Red Rocks Amphitheatre was named the top-grossing and most-attended concert venue of any size worldwide.
2021: Red Rocks Shut Down Temporarily Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2021, Red Rocks was temporarily shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022: South Park 25th Anniversary Concert
In 2022, on August 9 and 10, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone held a live concert at Red Rocks with rock bands Primus, Ween and Rush, commemorating South Park's 25th anniversary. The concert featured music from the series.
June 21, 2023: Hailstorm at Louis Tomlinson Concert
On June 21, 2023, before Louis Tomlinson was scheduled to perform, a severe hailstorm with apple-sized hail injured over 90 people at Red Rocks. Seven people were hospitalized.
October 8, 2023: Noah Kahan's Sold-Out Show
On October 8, 2023, Noah Kahan played a sold-out show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre as part of his Stick Season Tour.
2023: The String Cheese Incident Milestone
As of 2023, Colorado band The String Cheese Incident has played at Red Rocks over 50 times.
June 2024: Widespread Panic's Sold-Out Record
As of June 2024, Widespread Panic holds the record for the most sold-out performances at Red Rocks, with 72.
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