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Revision as of 23:53, 9 April 2022 editRevirvlkodlaku (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users83,899 edits topTags: Mobile edit Mobile app edit Android app edit← Previous edit Latest revision as of 11:22, 23 December 2024 edit undoRedPandaz (talk | contribs)4 editsm Removed much of the section about Noah Kahan's 2023 performance , as it sounded promotional/not objective. I'm not sure if the remaining section is noteworthy enough to keep, but I'm not making that decision. 
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{{Short description|Concert venue near Morrison, Colorado, U.S.}}
{{Redirect|Red Rocks}} {{Redirect|Red Rocks}}
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{{Short description|Concert venue near Morrison, Colorado, USA}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=January 2008}}
{{Advert|date=September 2019}}
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{{Infobox venue {{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = Red Rocks Amphitheatre | stadium_name = Red Rocks Amphitheatre
| logo_image = RedrocksCOlogo.jpg | logo_image = RedrocksCOlogo.jpg
| image = RedRocksAMP.png | image = RedRocksAMP.png
| image_size = 230 | image_size = 230
| image_alt = A shot of an outdoor amphitheatre taken at dusk, looking down toward a brightly lit stage. Large red cliffs are visible in the background, sloping down to the right. Several hundred people are visible between the camera and the stage. | image_alt = A shot of an outdoor amphitheatre taken at dusk, looking down toward a brightly lit stage. Large red cliffs are visible in the background, sloping down to the right. Several hundred people are visible between the camera and the stage.
| caption = | caption =
| location = 17598 W. Alameda Parkway<br />]<!--, CO 80465-->, U.S. | location = ]<br />17598 W. Alameda Parkway<br />]<!--, CO 80465-->, U.S.
| coordinates = {{coord|39|39|55|N|105|12|21|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | coordinates = {{coord|39|39|55|N|105|12|21|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| elevation = {{convert|6,450|ft}}
| opened = {{start date and age|1906}}<br />{{start date and age|1941}} | opened = {{start date and age|1906}}<br />{{start date and age|1941}}
| owner = City and County of ]
| operator = City and County of Denver | owner = City and County of ]
| operator = City and County of Denver
| seating_capacity = 9,525 | seating_capacity = 9,525
| website = {{URL|redrocksonline.com}}
| Acreage =
| architect = ]
| website = {{URL|redrocksonline.com}}
}} }}


'''Red Rocks Amphitheatre''' (also colloquially as simply '''Red Rocks''') is an open-air ] built into a rock structure in the ] ], near ], {{convert|10|mi|spell=in}} west of ]. There is a large, tilted, ]-shaped rock behind the stage, a huge vertical rock angled outwards from stage right, several large outcrops angled outwards from stage left and a seating area for up to&nbsp;9,525.<!-- people--><ref>{{Cite web|title = Red Rocks Entertainment Concerts {{!}} Visitor Info {{!}} Visitor Faq|url = http://redrocksonline.com/visitor-info/visitor-faq|website = redrocksonline.com|access-date = 2016-01-27}}</ref><!-- in between--> '''Red Rocks Amphitheatre''' (also known colloquially as simply '''Red Rocks''') is an open-air ] in the ] United States near ], approximately {{convert|10|mi|spell=in}} southwest of ]. It is owned and operated by the city of Denver. In addition to several other large ] formations nearby, the venue is best recognized by its two massive monoliths, named "Ship Rock" and "Creation Rock", as well as the smaller "Stage Rock", which together flank its 9,525 capacity seating area and naturally form the amphitheater.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Red Rocks Entertainment Concerts {{!}} Visitor Info {{!}} Visitor Faq |url=http://redrocksonline.com/visitor-info/visitor-faq |access-date=January 27, 2016 |website=redrocksonline.com}}</ref> While the venue is primarily known for hosting concerts and music festivals, other events of various types and sizes are held throughout the year.


In 1957, the ] selected Red Rocks to be Colorado's entry at the ] for the AIA's Centennial Exhibition. In 1999, after '']'' magazine awarded Red Rocks the annual honor of being the best small outdoor venue for the eleventh time, the magazine changed the name of the award to the "Red Rocks Award" and removed Red Rocks from the running.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History {{!}} 32nd Annual Pollstar Awards|url=https://awards.pollstar.live/history/|access-date=October 4, 2021|language=en-US}}</ref>
In 1927, the City of Denver purchased the area of Red Rocks; construction of the amphitheater began in 1936, and was opened to the public in June 1941.<ref name="CCC"> of the 1930s and 1940s, from Denvergov.org</ref> Since then, many notable performances and recordings for film and television have taken place there. In June 2015, the ] opened in the Trading Post at Red Rocks.<ref name="axs.com">{{cite news|last1=Schiff|first1=Mark|title=Colorado Music Hall of Fame moves into its new home at Red Rocks|url=http://www.axs.com/news/colorado-music-hall-of-fame-moves-into-its-new-home-at-red-rocks-57632|access-date=15 June 2015|work=AXS|date=June 12, 2015}}</ref>


Construction began in October 2020 to replace the existing stage roof and expand the structure's rigging capacity; the work was completed the following summer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Contract 202054285 Red Rocks Stage Roof|url=https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/contract-administration/current-bidding-opportunities/2020/contract-202054285-red-rocks-stage-roof.html|access-date=November 24, 2020|website=www.denvergov.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Red Rocks remodel starts on stage roof|url=https://news.yahoo.com/red-rocks-remodel-starts-stage-133129452.html|access-date=November 24, 2020|website=news.yahoo.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=milehighcre |date=July 27, 2021 |title=GH Phipps Installs New Stage Roof at Red Rocks Amphitheater |url=https://milehighcre.com/gh-phipps-installs-new-stage-roof-at-red-rocks-amphitheater/ |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=Mile High CRE |language=en}}</ref>
The ] of the amphitheatre's top row is approximately {{convert|6450|ft|round=5}} above ], and the surrounding Red Rocks Park covers {{convert|868|acre|mi2 km2|1}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.9news.com/entertainment/music/colorado-music/9-things-you-might-not-know-about-red-rocks-amphitheatre/244325538|title=9 things you might not know about Red Rocks Amphitheatre|access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref> The amphitheater is owned and operated by the City and County of ] and is located in ], part of the ]. The audience faces east-northeast, toward southern Denver, with the skyline of ] visible to the left.


== History ==
In 1957, the ] selected Red Rocks to be Colorado's entry at the ] for the AIA's Centennial Exhibition.
]
The natural features surrounding the amphitheater were formed millions of years ago as part of the ], then lifted and tilted during a geological upheaval event called the ], the same time in which the nearby ] and ] were formed. The characteristic reddish colors of the rock formations is the result of oxidized minerals.


While the grounds were likely used by the ] in earlier times, an Army expedition led by ] rediscovered present-day Red Rocks in 1820. The prevalence of the nearby ] between 1858-1859 drew further interest from prospectors and new settlers along the ]. Originally named the "Garden of the Angels", Marion Burts became the first recorded owner of the site in 1872. He sold it to ], who in turn developed the property into a park in 1878. Nearly 30 years later, Eicholtz sold Red Rocks to famed magazine editor ] in 1906.
In 1999, after '']'' magazine awarded Red Rocks the annual honor of best small outdoor venue for the eleventh time, the magazine changed the name of the award to the Red Rocks Award and removed Red Rocks from the running.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History {{!}} 32nd Annual Pollstar Awards|url=https://awards.pollstar.live/history/|access-date=2021-10-04|language=en-US}}</ref>

Construction began in October 2020 to replace the existing stage roof and structure.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Contract 202054285 Red Rocks Stage Roof|url=https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/contract-administration/current-bidding-opportunities/2020/contract-202054285-red-rocks-stage-roof.html|access-date=2020-11-24|website=www.denvergov.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Red Rocks remodel starts on stage roof|url=https://news.yahoo.com/red-rocks-remodel-starts-stage-133129452.html|access-date=2020-11-24|website=news.yahoo.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

== History ==
In the first decade of the twentieth century, ] had a vision of artists performing on a stage nestled in the perfectly acoustic surroundings of Red Rocks, which likely were used by the ] in earlier times. Walker produced several concerts between 1906 and 1910 on a temporary platform; and from his dream, the history of Red Rocks as an entertainment venue began.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redrocksonline.com/ABOUTUS/HistoryGeology.aspx|title=Red Rocks Entertainment Concerts – About – History Geology}}</ref> It took the natural amphitheater of Red Rocks over 200&nbsp;million years to form.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2016/06/02/seventy-five-facts-about-red-rocks/|title=Seventy-five facts about Red Rocks|date=2 June 2016|access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref> The city of Denver acquired Red Rocks amphitheater from Walker for $54,133 (equivalent to ${{inflation|US|54133|1928|r=0|fmt=c}} today), with a total area of {{convert|728|acre|mi2 km2|1}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://redrocksonline.com/about/history-geology|title=Red Rocks Entertainment Concerts {{!}} About {{!}} History Geology|website=redrocksonline.com|language=en|access-date=2017-11-16}}</ref> In addition to the platform, Walker also built the Mount Morrison Cable Incline ] railway which carried tourists from a base at what is today the parking lot of the amphitheatre up to enjoy the view from the top of Mount Morrison; the incline operated for about five years beginning in 1909.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://coloradogambler.com/trails-end-inclines-funicular-railways-colorado/|title=Trail's End – Inclines and Funicular Railways in Colorado – Colorado Gambler|date=2014-09-03|language=en-US|access-date=2016-06-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501102453/http://coloradogambler.com/trails-end-inclines-funicular-railways-colorado/|archive-date=2016-05-01|url-status=dead}}</ref>


The site was renamed to "Garden of the Titans" and further developed to incorporate a temporary platform for hosting concerts from. In addition to the platform, Walker also built the Mount Morrison Cable Incline ] railway, which carried tourists from the lower area of the park up to the top of Mount Morrison. The incline operated for about five years beginning in 1909.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://coloradogambler.com/trails-end-inclines-funicular-railways-colorado/|title=Trail's End – Inclines and Funicular Railways in Colorado – Colorado Gambler|date=September 3, 2014|language=en-US|access-date=June 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501102453/http://coloradogambler.com/trails-end-inclines-funicular-railways-colorado/|archive-date=May 1, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1927, George Cranmer, Manager of Denver Parks, convinced the City of Denver to purchase the area of Red Rocks from Walker for $54,133 (${{inflation|US|54133|1928|r=0|fmt=c}} today), officially adopting the title of "Red Rocks" Amphitheatre, a name it had been informally referred to since the area was settled.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://redrocksonline.com/about/history-geology|title=Red Rocks Entertainment Concerts {{!}} About {{!}} History Geology|website=redrocksonline.com|language=en|access-date=November 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 25, 2023 |title=How Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre came to be |url=https://www.columbian.com/news/2024/jan/13/how-colorados-red-rocks-amphitheatre-came-to-be/ |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=The Columbian |language=en-US}}</ref>
Geologically, the rocks surrounding the amphitheater are representative of the ]. Originally the place was known as the "Garden of the Angels" (1870s-1906), and then as "Garden of the Titans" during the Walker years (1906–1928). The park, however, had always been known by the folk name of "Red Rocks," which became its formal name when ] acquired it in 1928. The amphitheater's rocks are named "Creation Rock" on the north, "Ship Rock" on the south, and "Stage Rock" to the east. Red Rocks Amphitheatre was designed by Denver architect ]; its walls<!-- of the amphitheater--> contain records dating back to the ] period of 160&nbsp;million years ago as nearby dinosaur tracks have been discovered as well as fossil fragments of a {{convert|40|ft|adj=on|spell=in}} ].


In 1927, George Cranmer, Manager of Denver Parks, convinced the City of Denver to purchase the area of Red Rocks from Walker for $54,133 (${{inflation|US|54133|1928|r=0|fmt=c}} today). Cranmer convinced ] ] to build on the foundation laid by Walker. By enlisting the help of the ] (CCC), and ] (WPA), labor and materials were provided for the venture. Construction of the amphitheater began in 1936 and was opened to the public in June 1941.<ref name="CCC"/> Cranmer then convinced ] ] to build upon the foundation laid by Walker. By enlisting the help of Denver architect ] and ], along with labor and materials provided by the ] (CCC) and the ] (WPA) as part of the ] program, construction of the amphitheater began in 1936 and was formally dedicated on June 15, 1941, with a performance by ].<ref name="CCC"> of the 1930s and 1940s, from Denvergov.org</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Noel |first=Thomas J. |title=Sacred Stones: Colorado's Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre |publisher=Johnson Publishing Company,1 962 |year=2004 |isbn=9780972953009 |editor-last=Dyce |editor-first=Erik |location=Denver |language=English}}</ref>


== Notable performances == == Notable performances ==
] ]
Public, organizational and private performances have been held at Red Rocks for over a century<!--more than 100 years-->. The earliest documented performance at the amphitheater was the ''Grand Opening of the Garden of the Titans'', put on by publisher ] on May 31, 1906. Featuring Pietro Satriano and his 25-piece brass band, it was the formal opening of the natural amphitheater for use by the general public after Walker purchased it with the proceeds of his sale of '']''. Public, organizational and private performances have been held at Red Rocks for over a century. The earliest documented performance at the amphitheater was the ''Grand Opening of the Garden of the Titans'', put on by publisher ] on May 31, 1906. Featuring Pietro Satriano and his 25-piece brass band, it was the formal opening of the natural amphitheater for use by the general public after Walker purchased it with the proceeds of his sale of ].


The amphitheater's largest-scale performance to date was the ''Feast of Lanterns'' on September 5, 1908. Commemorating the opening of the scenic road up nearby ], it was patterned after the festival of ], and featured four military bands and fireworks off Mt. Falcon, Mt. Morrison and two intermediate hills. The amphitheater's largest-scale performance to date was the ''Feast of Lanterns'' on September 5, 1908. Commemorating the opening of the scenic road up nearby ], it was patterned after the festival of ], Japan, and featured four military bands and fireworks off Mt. Falcon, Mt. Morrison and two intermediate hills.


Renowned ] singer ] put Red Rocks on the world musical map with her performance on May 10, 1911. Having performed at many opera halls around the world, she pronounced Red Rocks the finest venue at which she had ever performed.{{cn|date=March 2022}} Renowned opera singer ] put Red Rocks on the world musical map with her performance on May 10, 1911. Having performed at many opera halls around the world, she pronounced Red Rocks the finest venue at which she had ever performed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 11, 2011 |title=Red Rocks celebrates a century of road shows |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2011/05/11/red-rocks-celebrates-a-century-of-road-shows/ |access-date=February 25, 2023 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref>


Upon the full construction of the amphitheater to its present form by the ], the venue was formally dedicated on June 15, 1941. It has held regular concert seasons almost every year since 1947. On July 23, 1948, ] conducted the Denver Symphony at Red Rocks.<ref>{{cite magazine| title=Red Rocks Music| magazine=]| date=August 16, 1948| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1UcEAAAAMBAJ&dq=stravinsky+red+rocks&pg=PA41}}</ref> In 2020 and 2021, it was shut down temporarily as a result of the ]. The first performance of each season is the ''Easter Sunrise Service'', a nondenominational service held on ] of each year. In 1958, ] played Red Rocks to a sold-out crowd.<ref name=CPR>{{cite news| title=Red Rocks: Colorado's Legendary Concert Venue...For Classical Music?| work=CPR Classical| date=July 13, 2018| url=https://www.cpr.org/2018/07/13/red-rocks-colorados-legendary-concert-venue-for-classical-music/}}</ref>
Upon the full construction of the amphitheatre to its present form by the ], the venue was formally dedicated on June 15, 1941. It has held regular concert seasons every year since 1947.


The earliest notable ] performance at Red Rocks was by ] on August 26, 1964,<ref name=dprecsbe>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EhgrAAAAIBAJ&pg=5115%2C4381789 |work=Reading Eagle |location=(Pennsylvania) |agency=UPI |title=Denver park record set by Beatles |date=August 27, 1964 |page=4}}</ref> the only concert not sold out during their US-tour. Beatles drummer ] later recalled, “I remember it was very high and the air was thin. They were giving us hits from oxygen canisters.”<ref name=Notable>{{cite web | url=https://www.redrocksonline.com/our-story/notable-performances/ | title=Notable Performances }}</ref> When Starr returned to Red Rocks with his ] on June 28, 2000, he asked if anyone in the crowd had been at the Beatles concert thirty-six years earlier. On August 26, 2004, the East-Coast-based Beatles-tribute band ] was flown to Denver to re-enact the Beatles concert held at the site exactly forty years earlier. The first ] show at Red Rocks was on August 29, 1965, headlined by ].<ref name=Notable/>
The first performance of each season is the ''Easter Sunrise Service'', a nondenominational service on ] of each year.


The unique setting has led to the venue's becoming a favorite for many performers: ] played at Red Rocks on September 1, 1968, along with ] and ]. It was the first Red Rocks show booked by concert promoter ].<ref name=Notable/> ] performed there on August 14, 1969.
The earliest notable rock-and-roll performance at Red Rocks was by ] on August 26, 1964,<ref name=dprecsbe>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EhgrAAAAIBAJ&pg=5115%2C4381789 |work=Reading Eagle |location=(Pennsylvania) |agency=UPI |title=Denver park record set by Beatles |date=August 27, 1964 |page=4}}</ref> the only concert not sold out during their US-tour. When ] returned to Red Rocks with his ] on June 28, 2000, he asked if anyone in the crowd had been at the Beatles concert thirty-six years earlier. On August 26, 2004, the East-Coast-based Beatles-tribute band "]" was flown to Denver to re-enact the Beatles concert held at the site exactly forty years earlier<!-- to the day-->. The<!-- beautiful and-->&nbsp;unique setting has led to the venue's becoming a favorite for many performers: ] played at Red Rocks on September 1, 1968, along with ] and ].


An incident during a performance by ] on June 10, 1971,<ref name="rkcspcl">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=p1QoAAAAIBAJ&pg=6008%2C2588399 |work=Deseret News |location=(Salt Lake City, Utah) |agency=UPI |title=Rock concert sparks clash |date=June 11, 1971 |page=A2}}</ref> led to a five-year ban of rock concerts at Red Rocks.<ref>Thomas J. Noel, ''Sacred Stones: Colorado's Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre'', pages 74–75. {{ISBN|978-0-9729530-0-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tullpress.com/lafree18jun71.htm |title=Jethro Tull Press: Los Angeles Free Press, 18 June 1971 |publisher=Tullpress.com |date=June 18, 1971 |access-date=October 24, 2012}}</ref> Approximately 1,000 people without tickets arrived at the sold-out show. Denver police directed the overflow, non-paying crowd to an area behind the theater, where they could hear the music but not see the band. The situation seemed satisfactory until some of the people without tickets attempted to enter the amphitheatre by charging at, and breaking through, the police line. Some of those without tickets began lobbing rocks at the police, and the police responded by discharging ] at the gate-crashers.<ref name="rkcspcl"/> The wind carried the tear gas over the hill, into the paying crowd and onto the stage. Following the "Riot at Red Rocks", Denver Mayor ] banned rock concerts from the amphitheatre. For the next five years, shows at Red Rocks were limited to softer acts, such as ], ], ], ], ], and ]. The ban on rock and roll was finally lifted through legal action taken by Denver concert promoter ], who tried to book the band ] at the venue in 1975. After being denied a permit by the city, Fey took the city to court, and the court ruled that the city had acted "arbitrarily and capricious" in banning rock concerts at Red Rocks. Starting in summer 1976, the rock bands were once again welcomed at the venue. Jethro Tull played Red Rocks again on June 7, 1988, August 12, 2008, and on June 8, 2011. An incident during a performance by ] on June 10, 1971,<ref name="rkcspcl">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=p1QoAAAAIBAJ&pg=6008%2C2588399 |work=] |location=(Salt Lake City, Utah) |agency=UPI |title=Rock concert sparks clash |date=June 11, 1971 |page=A2}}</ref> led to a five-year ban of rock concerts at Red Rocks.<ref>Thomas J. Noel, ''Sacred Stones: Colorado's Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre'', pages 74–75. {{ISBN|978-0-9729530-0-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tullpress.com/lafree18jun71.htm |title=Jethro Tull Press: Los Angeles Free Press, 18 June 1971 |publisher=Tullpress.com |date=June 18, 1971 |access-date=October 24, 2012}}</ref> Approximately 1,000 people without tickets arrived at the sold-out show. Denver police directed the overflow, non-paying crowd to an area behind the theater, where they could hear the music but not see the band. The situation seemed satisfactory until some of the people without tickets attempted to enter the amphitheater by charging at, and breaking through, the police line. Some of those without tickets began lobbing rocks at the police, and the police responded by discharging ] at the gate-crashers.<ref name="rkcspcl"/> The wind carried the tear gas over the hill, into the paying crowd and onto the stage. Following the "Riot at Red Rocks," Denver Mayor ] banned rock concerts from the amphitheater. For the next five years, shows at Red Rocks were limited to softer acts, such as ], ], ], ], ] and ]. The ban on rock and roll was finally lifted through legal action taken by Barry Fey, who tried to book the band ] at the venue in 1975. After being denied a permit by the city, Fey took the city to court, and the court ruled that the city had acted "arbitrarily and capricious" in banning rock concerts at Red Rocks. Starting in the summer of 1976, the rock bands were once again welcomed at the venue. Jethro Tull played Red Rocks again on June 7, 1988, August 12, 2008, and June 8, 2011.


On June 5, 1983, ] performed during their ], in front of only 4,400 in very inclement weather. The venue had been sold out, but the crowd size was affected by the weather, with attendees believing the show would be canceled. The show was not canceled because the band could not get their money back for the outlay on filming crews and equipment for the performance. Those who braved the weather and showed up were told personally by ], who came to the parking lot and into the crowd more than once, to ignore their seat assignments, and to move as forward as they wished to make the house seem full, since the show was being filmed for what became the group's concert film '']''. The music video for "], shown in heavy rotation on ], was also the fruit of the filming effort. Some songs from the show appear on the group's 1983 live album '']''.
] performed at the amphitheatre on July 15, 1980.


] performed at the amphitheater four times: July 1, 1986, July 11 and 12, 1990, during their ], and on August 27, 2009, during their '']'', in front of a crowd of 8,679 people. The 2009 show was recorded for the group's live albums project '']''.
On June 5, 1983, ] performed<!-- at Red Rocks--> during their ], in front<!-- of a crowd--> of only 4,400<!--people--> in very inclement weather. The venue had been sold out, but the crowd size was affected by the weather, with attendees believing the show would be cancelled. The show was not cancelled, however, because the band could not get their money back for the outlay on filming crews and equipment set to work with them for the performance. Those who braved the weather and showed up were told, personally by ], who came to the parking lot and into the crowd more than once, to ignore their seat assignments, and to move as forward as they wished to make the house seem full, since the show was being filmed for what became the group's concert film '']''. The music video for "]", shown in heavy rotation on ], was also fruit of the filming effort. The show was recorded and mastered on audio and parts of it were used for the group's live album '']''


Red Rocks was one of the favored venues for ] and the venue has become a traditional stop for many subsequent ]s. In total the Grateful Dead played Red Rocks 20 times between 1978 and 1987. The performances on July 7, 1978, and July 8, 1978, were released as part of the '']''
] performed at the amphitheatre four times: the first time was July 1, 1986. The second and third were on July 11 and 12, 1990, during their ]. The fourth was on August 27, 2009, during their '']'', in front of a crowd of 8,679 people. The show was recorded for the group's live albums project '']''.
box set, with July 8 having a stand alone release, '']''. The Grateful Dead held the record for most sold out performances at Red Rocks until 2015.


Red Rocks was one of the favored venues for ] and the venue has become a traditional stop for many subsequent ]s. ] holds the record for the most sold-out performances at Red Rocks with 63 as of June 2021. ] has played the venue every Fourth of July since 1993, except 1999 when lead singer and harmonica player John Popper was unable to play due to heart surgery.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2015/07/01/blues-traveler-for-the-fourth-a-red-rocks-tradition-for-more-than-20-years/|title=Blues Traveler for the Fourth: A Red Rocks tradition for more than 20 years – The Denver Post|date=July 2015|access-date=June 4, 2016}}</ref> ], the most popular jam band of the era, were banned from performing at Red Rocks after they played four concerts there in August 1996.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Etsler |first1=Derek |title=Riots, rock bans and redemption: The lesser known history of Red Rocks |url=http://www.cpr.org/openair/story/riots-rock-bans-and-redemption-lesser-known-history-red-rocks |website=Colorado Public Radio |access-date=September 16, 2018 |language=en |date=August 12, 2017}}</ref> Fans of the band who showed up to the concerts without tickets were accused of starting a riot outside the amphitheater on the second night, and the nearby town of ] was unprepared to accommodate the size of the band's following.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gripp |first1=Steven |title=What Most People Misunderstand about Phish |url=https://medium.com/@gripp_steven/what-most-people-misunderstand-about-phish-acc38bfe6cca |website=Steven Gripp |access-date=16 September 2018 |date=12 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="denverphish">{{cite web |title=Band Phish Back At Red Rocks For First Time Since Riots |url=https://www.thedenverchannel.com/entertainment/band-phish-back-at-red-rocks-for-first-time-since-riots |website=7NEWS |access-date=September 16, 2018 |date=July 30, 2009}}</ref> Phish was not invited to perform at Red Rocks again until July 2009.<ref name="denverphish"/> ] holds the record for the most sold-out performances at Red Rocks, with 72 as of June 2024. ] has played the venue every ] since 1993, except 1999 when lead singer and harmonica player ] was unable to play due to heart surgery.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2015/07/01/blues-traveler-for-the-fourth-a-red-rocks-tradition-for-more-than-20-years/|title=Blues Traveler for the Fourth: A Red Rocks tradition for more than 20 years – The Denver Post|date=July 2015|access-date=June 4, 2016}}</ref> ] were banned from performing at Red Rocks after they played four concerts there in August 1996.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Etsler |first1=Derek |title=Riots, rock bans and redemption: The lesser known history of Red Rocks |url=https://www.cpr.org/2014/05/13/riots-rock-bans-and-redemption-the-lesser-known-history-of-red-rocks/ |website=Colorado Public Radio |access-date=September 16, 2018 |language=en |date=August 12, 2017}}</ref> Fans of the band who showed up to the concerts without tickets were accused of starting a riot outside the amphitheater on the second night, and the nearby town of ] was unprepared to accommodate the size of the band's following.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gripp |first1=Steven |title=What Most People Misunderstand about Phish |url=https://medium.com/@gripp_steven/what-most-people-misunderstand-about-phish-acc38bfe6cca |website=Steven Gripp |access-date=September 16, 2018 |date=August 12, 2017}}</ref><ref name="denverphish">{{cite web |title=Band Phish Back At Red Rocks For First Time Since Riots |url=https://www.thedenverchannel.com/entertainment/band-phish-back-at-red-rocks-for-first-time-since-riots |website=7NEWS |access-date=September 16, 2018 |date=July 30, 2009}}</ref> Phish was not invited to perform at Red Rocks again until July 2009.<ref name="denverphish"/>


] of the rock band ] said, "It's an amazing location. One of the most beautiful concert venues in America...or anywhere. I would hazard a guess that it's one of the most beautiful anywhere."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/tours/04jun29_collage.htm|title=Rush Interview|access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref> Rush played Red Rocks on their R30 30th Anniversary, Snakes and Arrows, and Time Machine tours. ] of ] said, "It's an amazing location...One of the most stunning concert venues in the United States... or anywhere. I would hazard a guess that it's one of the most beautiful places in the world."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/tours/04jun29_collage.htm|title=Rush Interview|access-date=January 23, 2018}}</ref> Rush played Red Rocks on their ], ] and ] tours.


Colorado musicians who have performed at Red Rocks include ] in 1973, ] in 1973, ] in 1994, ] (some members are from Denver) in 2002, ] in 2006, ] in 2008, ] in 2012, ] in 2012, ] in 2013, ] in 2013, and ] in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 13, 2016|title=UMS 2016: The Strawberry Runners bear fruit in dark places|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2016/07/12/the-strawberry-runners-bear-fruit-in-dark-places/|access-date=January 12, 2022|website=The Denver Post|language=en-US}}</ref> As of 2023, Colorado band ] has played at Red Rocks over 50 times.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Living the Dream: The String Cheese Incident Celebrates 30th Anniversary, 50th Red Rocks Show|date=July 5, 2023|accessdate=October 17, 2023|first=Emily|last=Ferguson|website=Westword|url=https://www.westword.com/music/string-cheese-incident-30th-anniversary-50th-red-rocks-show-17087000}}</ref>
In 2013, electronic musician ] reportedly cracked and broke several pieces of the amphitheater walls, with bass. In 2015, he broke the city's sound ordinance laws, which caused the city and county of Denver to begin implementing rules on sound pressure levels and event end times so that the venue can’t exceed 125&nbsp;decibels at the low-frequency levels of 25–80 hertz for one-minute averages after midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends and holidays. These laws have effectively banned the Bassnectar music project from returning to the venue.


On August 7, 2000, the "Film on the Rocks" series started with a screening of ].<ref name=Notable/>
Colorado musicians who have performed at Red Rocks include ] in 1973, ] in 1973, ] in 1994, ] (some members are from Denver) in 2002, ] in 2006, ] in 2008, ] in 2012, ] in 2012, ] in 2013, ] in 2013, and ] in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-07-13|title=UMS 2016: The Strawberry Runners bear fruit in dark places|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2016/07/12/the-strawberry-runners-bear-fruit-in-dark-places/|access-date=2022-01-12|website=The Denver Post|language=en-US}}</ref> As of 2017, Colorado band ] has played at Red Rocks 35 times.<ref>{{Cite web|title=String Cheese Incident Celebrates Colorado at Red Rocks|date=August 15, 2017|accessdate=April 23, 2021|first=Carmel|last=O'Farrell|website=Tomorrow's Verse|url=http://tomorrowsverse.com/story/string-cheese-incident-celebrates-colorado-at-red-rocks-review-video-33464.html}}</ref>


In 2014, after voters in Colorado legalized ], the Colorado Symphony played a cannabis-themed "Red Rocks on a High Note" show there.<ref>{{cite news| title=Conductor: Pot-sponsored concert at Red Rocks will be 'very imaginative'| date=September 10, 2014| work=Colorado Public Radio| url=https://www.cpr.org/show-segment/conductor-pot-sponsored-concert-at-red-rocks-will-be-very-imaginative/}}</ref><ref name=CPR/> In 2018, ] began his tour of ]'s ] at Red Rocks.<ref>{{cite news| title=Yo-Yo Ma Captivates a Nearly Silent Crowd at Red Rocks| date=August 2, 2018| work=CPR Classical| url=https://www.cpr.org/2018/08/02/yo-yo-ma-captivates-a-nearly-silent-crowd-at-red-rocks/}}</ref>
In the midst of the 2020 pandemic, Red Rocks hosted the Colorado Symphony Strings, which played sold-out Acoustic on the Rocks shows in July and August, following social-distancing guidelines.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-08|title=Colorado Symphony adds 10 more shows to Red Rocks schedule|url=https://theknow.denverpost.com/2020/08/08/colorado-symphony-adds-red-rocks-shows-2020/243140/|access-date=November 24, 2020|website=The Know|language=en-US}}</ref>


On October 5, 2019, ] played a sold-out show at the amphitheater for their ].
In September 2020, virtual shows were streamed live.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-01|title=Red Rocks Staff Prepare Amphitheatre For 3 Virtual 'Unpaused' Concerts|url=https://denver.cbslocal.com/2020/09/01/red-rocks-virtual-unpaused-concerts/|access-date=November 24, 2020|language=en-US}}</ref>


During the 2020 pandemic, Red Rocks hosted the Colorado Symphony Strings, which played sold-out Acoustic on the Rocks shows in July and August, following social-distancing guidelines.<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 8, 2020|title=Colorado Symphony adds 10 more shows to Red Rocks schedule|url=https://theknow.denverpost.com/2020/08/08/colorado-symphony-adds-red-rocks-shows-2020/243140/|access-date=November 24, 2020|website=The Know|language=en-US}}</ref>
Despite Denver Arts and Venues announcing the closure of all its venues (including Red Rocks) in September,<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-09-03|title=Denver Arts & Venues Will Close All Its Venues in October, Including Red Rocks, Until Further Notice|language=en-US|work=303 Magazine|url=https://303magazine.com/2020/09/denver-arts-venues-red-rocks-closed-2020/|access-date=2020-11-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-09|title=Arts Venues, Including Red Rocks, Closing Until 2021|url=https://ourcommunitynow.com/music/arts-venues-including-red-rocks-closing-until-2021|access-date=2020-11-24|website=Our Community Now|language=en}}</ref> October in-person shows did occur.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Harris|first=Kyle|date=2020-10-05|title=Red Rocks 2020 Isn't Over Yet; Float Like a Buffalo Announces October Gig|url=https://www.westword.com/music/float-like-a-buffalo-announces-red-rocks-concert-11815219|access-date=2020-11-24|website=Westword}}</ref> Other events included drive-in movies for mainstream films,<ref>{{Cite web|title=A first-of-its-kind, drive-in movie experience is coming to Red Rocks|url=https://www.9news.com/article/life/style/colorado-guide/drive-in-movie-experience-coming-to-red-rocks/73-2dace325-8f45-49e9-b0c3-5f3439e9c4de|access-date=2020-11-24|website=KUSA.com|date=6 August 2020|language=en-US}}</ref> and the Denver Film Festival's red carpet movies.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-12|title=Denver Film Festival's red carpet screenings will be drive-in style at Red Rocks this year|url=https://theknow.denverpost.com/2020/10/12/denver-film-fest-red-rocks-drivein/246887/|access-date=2020-11-24|website=The Know|language=en-US}}</ref>


In September 2020, virtual shows were streamed live.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 1, 2020|title=Red Rocks Staff Prepare Amphitheatre For 3 Virtual 'Unpaused' Concerts|url=https://denver.cbslocal.com/2020/09/01/red-rocks-virtual-unpaused-concerts/|access-date=November 24, 2020|language=en-US}}</ref> Despite announcing the closure of all its venues (including Red Rocks) in September,<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 3, 2020|title=Denver Arts & Venues Will Close All Its Venues in October, Including Red Rocks, Until Further Notice|language=en-US|work=303 Magazine|url=https://303magazine.com/2020/09/denver-arts-venues-red-rocks-closed-2020/|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=September 9, 2020|title=Arts Venues, Including Red Rocks, Closing Until 2021|url=https://ourcommunitynow.com/music/arts-venues-including-red-rocks-closing-until-2021|access-date=November 24, 2020|website=Our Community Now|language=en}}</ref> in-person shows did occur.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Harris|first=Kyle|date=October 5, 2020|title=Red Rocks 2020 Isn't Over Yet; Float Like a Buffalo Announces October Gig|url=https://www.westword.com/music/float-like-a-buffalo-announces-red-rocks-concert-11815219|access-date=November 24, 2020|website=Westword}}</ref> Other events included drive-in movies for mainstream films<ref>{{Cite web|title=A first-of-its-kind, drive-in movie experience is coming to Red Rocks|url=https://www.9news.com/article/life/style/colorado-guide/drive-in-movie-experience-coming-to-red-rocks/73-2dace325-8f45-49e9-b0c3-5f3439e9c4de|access-date=November 24, 2020|website=KUSA.com|date=August 6, 2020|language=en-US}}</ref> and the Denver Film Festival's red carpet movies.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 12, 2020|title=Denver Film Festival's red carpet screenings will be drive-in style at Red Rocks this year|url=https://theknow.denverpost.com/2020/10/12/denver-film-fest-red-rocks-drivein/246887/|access-date=November 24, 2020|website=The Know|language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2021, Red Rocks Amphitheatre was named the top-grossing and most-attended concert venue of any size, anywhere in the world.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kirk |first1=Alexander |title=Colorado venue was world's most-attended venue in 2021 |url=<https://www.9news.com/article/life/style/colorado-guide/red-rocks-attendance-2021/73-b1ee81db-b79f-4269-829e-13d42ef3747c#:~:text=MORRISON%2C%20Colo.,more%20than%20any%20other%20venue.> |access-date=2021-12-21 |agency=9News |date=12-3-2021}}</ref>

In 2021, Red Rocks Amphitheatre was named the top-grossing and most-attended concert venue of any size, anywhere in the world.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kirk |first1=Alexander |title=Colorado venue was world's most-attended venue in 2021 |url=https://www.9news.com/article/life/style/colorado-guide/red-rocks-attendance-2021/73-b1ee81db-b79f-4269-829e-13d42ef3747c |access-date=December 21, 2021 |agency=9News |date=December 3, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919185543/https://archive.today/20220919185321/https://www.9news.com/article/life/style/colorado-guide/red-rocks-attendance-2021/73-b1ee81db-b79f-4269-829e-13d42ef3747c |archive-date=September 19, 2022}}</ref>

On August 9 and 10, 2022, '']'' creators ] and ] held a live concert alongside rock bands ], ] and Rush at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, commemorating ''South Park''{{'}}s 25th anniversary. Besides a few original songs from the supporting bands, the concert mainly consisted of Parker and Stone performing music from the series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eustice |first=Kyle |date=August 11, 2022 |title=South Park's 25th Anniversary Concert at Red Rocks Is a Rush, in More Ways Than One |url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/south-park-anniversary-concert-rush-red-rocks-primus-1235339159/ |access-date=November 13, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

On June 21, 2023, the largest injury-inducing weather event in the venue's history occurred. Before ] was scheduled to perform, a hailstorm with apple sized hail injured over 90 people, including 7 who were hospitalized.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pedersen |first=Erik |date=June 22, 2023 |title=90-Plus Hurt, 7 Hospitalized As Hailstorm Pummels Louis Tomlinson Concert At Red Rocks In Colorado; Singer "Devastated" |url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/80-90-hurt-7-hospitalized-as-hailstorm-pummels-louis-tomlinson-concert-at-red-rocks-in-colorado-singer-devastated-1235422581/ |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=kyla.pearce@denvergazette.com |first=Kyla Pearce |date=June 21, 2023 |title=7 hospitalized, 80-plus injured due to hail at Louis Tomlinson concert at Red Rocks in Morrison |url=https://denvergazette.com/weather/7-hospitalized-80-plus-injured-due-to-hail-at-louis-tomlinson-concert-at-red-rocks/article_2bc91c10-10b6-11ee-ae42-5f7a8c941d43.html |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=Denver Gazette |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Burnside |first=Jennifer Gray, Tina |date=June 22, 2023 |title=Colorado amphitheater hail storm injures nearly 100 ahead of planned Louis Tomlinson concert |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/22/weather/red-rocks-hail-louis-tomlinson-concert/index.html |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

On October 8, 2023, ] played a sold-out show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre as part of his ] Tour.


== Notable recordings == == Notable recordings ==


] ]
Red Rocks has been a popular venue for live recordings, particularly videos, due to the visual uniqueness of the setting. During the 1970s and 1980s, local ]er ] recorded several world-televised concerts at Red Rocks. ]'s 1983 concert video, '']'', became a best-selling long-form concert video and the performance of "]" was played frequently on ]. ] singer ] released a ] of her August 1986 concert at the amphitheatre, towards the end of her ] tour. In 1992 ] performed live for the first time with a symphony orchestra for the PBS special "]". The concert also was released on CD and DVD along with a companion DVD ''The Other Side of Red Rocks'', which documented the rehearsals and preparation for the concert and excerpts from the concert. In 1978 the Grateful Dead released ''Live at Red Rocks''. Red Rocks has been a popular venue for live recordings, particularly videos, due to the visual uniqueness of the setting. During the 1970s and 1980s, local ]er ] recorded several world-televised concerts at Red Rocks. ]'s 1983 concert video, '']'', became a bestselling long-form concert video and the performance of "]" was played frequently on ]. ] singer ] released a ] of her August 1986 concert at the amphitheatre, towards the end of her ] tour. In 1992, ] performed live for the first time with a symphony orchestra for the PBS special "]". The concert also was 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.


] Aerial view<!-- of Red Rocks Amphitheatre-->, January 2013]] ] Aerial view<!-- of Red Rocks Amphitheatre-->, January 2013]]
Other Red Rocks material on CD and DVD includes ]'s albums '']'' and the CD/DVD '']'', which is a compilation of the band's four-night run in 2005, their last performances at the venue. Also recorded are ] live album ''Live in Colorado'', ]'s ''Live at Red Rocks'' and ''Worship at Red Rocks'', the ] DVD '']'', Blues Traveler's '']'' album, ]'s comedy album '']'', ]'s '']'', and ]' album "Live At Red Rocks". ]'s DVD ''The Earth Will Swallow You'' features a 15-minute segment on Red Rocks. Other Red Rocks material on CD and DVD includes ]'s albums '']'' and the CD/DVD '']'', which is a compilation of the band's four-night run in 2005, their last performances at the venue. Also recorded are ] live album ''Live in Colorado'', ]'s ''Live at Red Rocks'' and ''Worship at Red Rocks'', the ] DVD '']'', Blues Traveler's '']'' album, ]'s comedy album '']'', ]'s '']'', and ]' album "Live At Red Rocks". ]'s DVD ] features a 15-minute segment on Red Rocks.


The ] performed at Red Rocks 20 times. The dates of their performances are 7/7/78, 7/8/78, 8/30/78, 8/31/78, 8/12/79, 7/27/82, 7/28/82, 7/29/82, 9/6/83, 9/7/83, 9/8/93, 6/12/84, 6/13/84, 6/14/84, 9/5/85, 9/6/85, 9/7/85, 8/11/87, 8/12/87, and 8/13/87. 7/7/78 and 7/8/78 have been released in their entirety on '']'' and '']''. The ] performed at Red Rocks 20 times. 7/7/78 and 7/8/78 have been released in their entirety on '']'' and '']''.


The live ] album '']'' and its accompanying DVD ''Red Rocks Live'' were filmed and recorded at Red Rocks in 2000 during the "Silver and Gold" tour. Local Colorado band ] released a DVD and live album of a 1995 performance in 2003, capturing what has become a local annual early season tradition. In 2009, they followed the original recording with a two-CD/1DVD set from their June 2008 performance. The live ] album '']'' and its accompanying DVD, ''Red Rocks Live'', were filmed and recorded at Red Rocks in 2000 during the "Silver and Gold" tour. Local Colorado band ] released a DVD and live album of a 1995 performance in 2003, capturing what has become a local annual early season tradition. In 2009, they followed the original recording with a two-CD/1DVD set from their June 2008 performance.


A two-volume 2003 album, ''Carved In Stone– Volume 1'', featured live recordings of 10 artists including ], ], ], ], and ],<ref>https://www.discogs.com/release/8563643-Various-Red-Rocks-Volume-1-Carved-In-Stone {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref> with proceeds benefiting "Preserve The Rocks Fund", a donation-driven reserve dedicated to the rehabilitation and preservation of the historic Red Rocks Amphitheatre.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 17, 2004 |title=Red Rocks Rocks With Carved In Stone – Vol. 2, Live at Red Rocks |url=https://celebrityaccess.com/caarchive/red-rocks-rocks-with-carved-in-stone-vol-2-live-at-red-rocks/ |access-date=December 15, 2022 |website=CelebrityAccess |language=en-US}}</ref> The follow-up live compilation CD, , Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre was released in October 2007.<ref>{{Citation |title=Various - Carved In Stone (Live) |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/3310234-Various-Carved-In-Stone-Live |language=en |access-date=January 17, 2023}}</ref> 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.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}
A two-volume 2003 album, ''Carved in Stone'', features live performances by various artists at Red Rocks, including ], ], ], ], and ], with proceeds going towards a fund for preservation of the park and amphitheatre.


Phish frontman ] included excerpts from his 2005 performance at Red Rocks on the DVD that accompanied his album ''Shine''. Country musician ] filmed the music video for his song "]" during a live sold-out concert at Red Rocks in August 2007. A portion of British rock band ]'s ] film '']'' was filmed at Red Rocks. ] also included one live video recording on the CD-DVD '']''. ] played with ], ], ], the ], Grave Plott, The ROC, and Motown Rage in May 2008 at Red Rocks at perform the 'first annual' Hatchet Attacks Super Show, for which they released a video later that year. Phish frontman ] included excerpts from his 2005 performance at Red Rocks on the DVD that accompanied his album ''Shine''. Country musician ] filmed the music video for his song "]" during a live, sold-out concert at Red Rocks in August 2007. A portion of British rock band ]'s ] film '']'' was filmed at Red Rocks. ] also included one live video recording on the CD-DVD '']''. ] played with ], ], ], the ], Grave Plott, The ROC, and Motown Rage in May 2008 at Red Rocks at perform the 'first annual' Hatchet Attacks Super Show, for which they released a video later that year.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}


] recorded their show at the amphitheatre on August 29, 2009, for their live albums project '']''. ] recorded their show at the amphitheatre on August 29, 2009, for their live album project, '']''.


Country singer ] included a live version of "]", a duet with ], on his album '']''. The recording has a segment with audience participation singing the chorus "You and Tequila make me crazy, run like poison in my blood, one more night could kill me baby, one is one too many, one more is never enough". Country singer ] included a live version of "]", a duet with ], on his album '']''. The recording has a segment with audience participation singing the chorus "You and Tequila make me crazy, run like poison in my blood, one more night could kill me baby, one is one too many, one more is never enough".
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] recorded the DVD portion of their '']'' box set on August 2, 2011. Also included in the box set is a CD of the audio from the show. ] recorded the DVD portion of their '']'' box set on August 2, 2011. Also included in the box set is a CD of the audio from the show.


On August 29, 2012, ] recorded their live performance of their first single "]" from their new CD '']'' at the amphitheatre. The performance was released on September 9, 2012, as the band's official video for the song.<ref>. ''Rolling Stone''. Retrieved September 24, 2012</ref> The band released a full-length DVD of their show at Red Rocks, recorded on August 28 and 29, 2012, entitled ''The Road To Red Rocks''. On August 29, 2012, ] recorded their live performance of their first single, "]" from their new CD '']'' at the amphitheatre. The performance was released on September 9, 2012, as the band's official video for the song.<ref>. ''Rolling Stone''. Retrieved September 24, 2012</ref> The band released a full-length DVD of their show at Red Rocks, recorded on August 28 and 29, 2012, entitled ''The Road To Red Rocks''.


On September 1, 2014, ], a band hailing from ], 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. While performing the song "]" they recorded the band, the audience, and one of their fans (Bryan Warnecke) for the "I Lived" music video. The video also featured several aerial views of the venue during the day as well as during the concert itself. This performance of the song was done to help spread awareness for ] and to share Bryan's journey with the disease. The music video was released on September 25, 2014.{{cn|date=March 2022}} On September 1, 2014, ], a band hailing from ], 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. While performing the song "]" they recorded the band, the audience, and one of their fans (Bryan Warnecke) for the "I Lived" music video. The video also featured several aerial views of the venue during the day as well as during the concert itself. This performance of the song was done to help spread awareness for ] and to share Bryan's journey with the disease. The music video was released on September 25, 2014.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}


On June 10, 2015 ] performed at Red Rocks on their Last Summer on Earth 2015 tour. The performance was aired on ], then later released on May 20, 2016 as a live album titled '']'' and in 2017 the English ] ] ].{{cn|date=March 2022}} On June 10, 2015 ] performed at Red Rocks on their Last Summer on Earth 2015 tour. The performance was aired on ], then later released on May 20, 2016, as a live album titled '']'' and in 2017 the English ] ] ].{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}


] released a live DVD and Blu-ray of their May 11, 2017, performance at Red Rocks on November 2, 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/opeth-to-release-garden-of-the-titans-live-at-red-rocks-amphitheater-in-november/|title=Opeth To Release 'Garden Of The Titans: Live At Red Rocks Amphitheatre' In November|work=]|date=August 17, 2018|access-date=November 20, 2018}}</ref> ] performed the same night and released the full concert, titled ''Live At Red Rocks'', on YouTube on May 20, 2020.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mathieu|first=David|date=May 19, 2020|title=Gojira : un live entier à découvrir en streaming|trans-title=Gojira: an entire live to be discovered in streaming|url=https://www.ouifm.fr/gojira-un-live-entier-a-decouvrir-en-streaming/|url-status=live|work=]|location=]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210306162513/https://www.ouifm.fr/gojira-un-live-entier-a-decouvrir-en-streaming/|archive-date=March 6, 2021|access-date=March 6, 2021}}</ref> ] released a live DVD and Blu-ray of their May 11, 2017, performance at Red Rocks on November 2, 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/opeth-to-release-garden-of-the-titans-live-at-red-rocks-amphitheater-in-november/|title=Opeth To Release 'Garden Of The Titans: Live At Red Rocks Amphitheatre' In November|work=]|date=August 17, 2018|access-date=November 20, 2018}}</ref> ] performed the same night and released the full concert, titled ''Live At Red Rocks'', on YouTube on May 20, 2020.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mathieu|first=David|date=May 19, 2020|title=Gojira : un live entier à découvrir en streaming|trans-title=Gojira: an entire live to be discovered in streaming|url=https://www.ouifm.fr/gojira-un-live-entier-a-decouvrir-en-streaming/|url-status=live|work=]|location=Paris|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210306162513/https://www.ouifm.fr/gojira-un-live-entier-a-decouvrir-en-streaming/|archive-date=March 6, 2021|access-date=March 6, 2021}}</ref>


The American pop-punk band ] released a live recording of their full 18-minute song "]" featuring Baz's orchestra in a 2019 performance at the venue.{{cn|date=March 2022}} The American pop-punk band ] released a live recording of their full 18-minute song "]" featuring Baz's orchestra in a 2019 performance at the venue.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}} Comedian ] filmed a comedy special at Red Rocks in September 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thelaughbutton.com/bill-burr-announces-new-netflix-special-live-at-red-rocks|title=Bill Burr announces new Netflix special "Live at Red Rocks"|first=Andrew|last=Buss|date=June 22, 2022|accessdate=July 28, 2022|publisher=thelaughbutton.com}}</ref>


== In film and television == == In film and television ==
In 1987, former Colorado Senator ] announced his campaign for president with a press conference at Red Rocks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://coloradosun.com/2018/11/15/gary-hart-front-runner-movie/|title = "The Front Runner" about Gary Hart makes you rethink politics and the press|date = 15 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-04-14-8701280373-story.html|title=Hart Starts March for the White House|website=]}}</ref> In 1987, former Colorado Senator ] announced his campaign for president with a press conference at Red Rocks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://coloradosun.com/2018/11/15/gary-hart-front-runner-movie/|title = "The Front Runner" about Gary Hart makes you rethink politics and the press|date = November 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-04-14-8701280373-story.html|title=Hart Starts March for the White House|website=]|date=April 14, 1987 }}</ref>


Part of the 1990 film '']'' was filmed at Red Rocks. Opening sequences feature the fictional rock band "Black Plague" playing at Red Rocks Amphitheatre where lead singer Bobby Black (played by ]) makes a grand entrance hanging from the rock face of the landmark red rocks above the crowd swooping on stage via ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0624702/|title=Vince Neil|website=]}}</ref> Part of the 1990 film '']'' was filmed at Red Rocks. Opening sequences feature the fictional rock band "Black Plague" playing at Red Rocks Amphitheatre where lead singer Bobby Black (played by ]) makes a grand entrance hanging from the rock face of the landmark red rocks above the crowd swooping on stage via ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0624702/|title=Vince Neil|website=]}}</ref>

The place was featured in '']'', which aired in 2006. The place was used as the show's Starting Line and also the Finish Line.


== Colorado Music Hall of Fame == == Colorado Music Hall of Fame ==


In June 2015, the ] opened its doors in the Trading Post at Red Rocks.<ref name="axs.com"/> In June 2015, the ] opened its doors in the Trading Post at Red Rocks.<ref name="axs.com">{{cite news |last1=Schiff |first1=Mark |date=June 12, 2015 |title=Colorado Music Hall of Fame moves into its new home at Red Rocks |url=http://www.axs.com/news/colorado-music-hall-of-fame-moves-into-its-new-home-at-red-rocks-57632 |access-date=June 15, 2015 |work=AXS}}</ref>


== Gallery == == Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="154px"> <gallery mode="packed" heights="154px">
File:Red Rock Amphitheatre Seatings.jpg|Red Rocks Amphitheatre Seating File:Red Rock Amphitheatre Seatings.jpg|Red Rocks Amphitheatre seating
File:Red Rock Amphitheatre.jpg|Red Rocks Amphitheatre File:Red Rock Amphitheatre.jpg|Red Rocks Amphitheatre stage
File:Orthomosaic of Red Rocks by DroneMapper and Falcon UAV.jpg|Red Rocks Aerial Photogrammetry mission

File:Orthomosaic of Red Rocks by DroneMapper and Falcon UAV.jpg|Red Rocks Aerial Photogrammetry Mission
File:Denver Downtown view from Red Rock Amphitheatre.jpg|] view from Red Rocks Amphitheatre in 2011, with the control tower for ] and the peaks of its ] in the distant background File:Denver Downtown view from Red Rock Amphitheatre.jpg|] view from Red Rocks Amphitheatre in 2011, with the control tower for ] and the peaks of its ] in the distant background
</gallery> </gallery>


== See also == == See also ==
{{portal|United States|Colorado}}
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ], an outdoor amphitheater northwest of Denver, outside Fort Collins * ], outdoor concert venue outside of Fort Collins, Colorado
* '']'' (1983) – a live video by ] * '']'' (1983) – a live video by ]
* '']'' (1997) – a live album by ] * '']'' (1997) – a live album by ]
* '']'' (2005) – a live album/DVD by Dave Matthews Band * '']'' (2005) – a live album/DVD by Dave Matthews Band
* '']'' (2014) – a live album/video by ] * '']'' (2014) – a live album/video by ]
{{clear}}


== References == == References ==
{{Reflist}}Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre History and Geology. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=http://redrocksonline.com/about/history-geology|title=Red Rocks Entertainment Concerts - About - History Geology|website=redrocksonline.com|access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref> {{Reflist}}Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre History and Geology. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=http://redrocksonline.com/about/history-geology|title=Red Rocks Entertainment Concerts - About - History Geology|website=redrocksonline.com|access-date=January 23, 2018}}</ref>


== External links == == External links ==
{{sister project links|auto=yes}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.redrocksonline.com/}} * {{Official website|http://www.redrocksonline.com/}}
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Latest revision as of 11:22, 23 December 2024

Concert venue near Morrison, Colorado, U.S. "Red Rocks" redirects here. For other uses, see Red Rocks (disambiguation).

Red Rocks Amphitheatre
A shot of an outdoor amphitheatre taken at dusk, looking down toward a brightly lit stage. Large red cliffs are visible in the background, sloping down to the right. Several hundred people are visible between the camera and the stage.
LocationRed Rocks Park
17598 W. Alameda Parkway
Morrison, Colorado, U.S.
Coordinates39°39′55″N 105°12′21″W / 39.66528°N 105.20583°W / 39.66528; -105.20583
Elevation6,450 feet (1,970 m)
OwnerCity and County of Denver
OperatorCity and County of Denver
Capacity9,525
Construction
Opened1906; 119 years ago (1906)
1941; 84 years ago (1941)
ArchitectBurnham F. Hoyt
Website
redrocksonline.com

Red Rocks Amphitheatre (also known colloquially as simply Red Rocks) is an open-air amphitheater in the western United States near Morrison, Colorado, approximately ten miles (16 km) southwest of Denver. It is owned and operated by the city of Denver. In addition to several other large sandstone formations nearby, the venue is best recognized by its two massive monoliths, named "Ship Rock" and "Creation Rock", as well as the smaller "Stage Rock", which together flank its 9,525 capacity seating area and naturally form the amphitheater. While the venue is primarily known for hosting concerts and music festivals, other events of various types and sizes are held throughout the year.

In 1957, the American Institute of Architects selected Red Rocks to be Colorado's entry at the National Gallery of Art for the AIA's Centennial Exhibition. In 1999, after Pollstar magazine awarded Red Rocks the annual honor of being the best small outdoor venue for the eleventh time, the magazine changed the name of the award to the "Red Rocks Award" and removed Red Rocks from the running.

Construction began in October 2020 to replace the existing stage roof and expand the structure's rigging capacity; the work was completed the following summer.

History

Theatre in 1944

The natural features surrounding the amphitheater were formed millions of years ago as part of the Fountain Formation, then lifted and tilted during a geological upheaval event called the Laramide Orogeny, the same time in which the nearby Garden of the Gods and Flatirons were formed. The characteristic reddish colors of the rock formations is the result of oxidized minerals.

While the grounds were likely used by the Ute tribe in earlier times, an Army expedition led by Stephen Long rediscovered present-day Red Rocks in 1820. The prevalence of the nearby Colorado gold rush between 1858-1859 drew further interest from prospectors and new settlers along the Front Range. Originally named the "Garden of the Angels", Marion Burts became the first recorded owner of the site in 1872. He sold it to Leonard H. Eicholtz, who in turn developed the property into a park in 1878. Nearly 30 years later, Eicholtz sold Red Rocks to famed magazine editor John Brisben Walker in 1906.

The site was renamed to "Garden of the Titans" and further developed to incorporate a temporary platform for hosting concerts from. In addition to the platform, Walker also built the Mount Morrison Cable Incline funicular railway, which carried tourists from the lower area of the park up to the top of Mount Morrison. The incline operated for about five years beginning in 1909. In 1927, George Cranmer, Manager of Denver Parks, convinced the City of Denver to purchase the area of Red Rocks from Walker for $54,133 ($960,546 today), officially adopting the title of "Red Rocks" Amphitheatre, a name it had been informally referred to since the area was settled.

Cranmer then convinced Mayor Benjamin Stapleton to build upon the foundation laid by Walker. By enlisting the help of Denver architect Burnham F. Hoyt and Stanley E. Morse, along with labor and materials provided by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) as part of the New Deal program, construction of the amphitheater began in 1936 and was formally dedicated on June 15, 1941, with a performance by Helen Jepson.

Notable performances

View east from top of Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Public, organizational and private performances have been held at Red Rocks for over a century. The earliest documented performance at the amphitheater was the Grand Opening of the Garden of the Titans, put on by publisher John Brisben Walker on May 31, 1906. Featuring Pietro Satriano and his 25-piece brass band, it was the formal opening of the natural amphitheater for use by the general public after Walker purchased it with the proceeds of his sale of Cosmopolitan.

The amphitheater's largest-scale performance to date was the Feast of Lanterns on September 5, 1908. Commemorating the opening of the scenic road up nearby Mt. Falcon, it was patterned after the festival of Nagasaki, Japan, and featured four military bands and fireworks off Mt. Falcon, Mt. Morrison and two intermediate hills.

Renowned opera singer Mary Garden put Red Rocks on the world musical map with her performance on May 10, 1911. Having performed at many opera halls around the world, she pronounced Red Rocks the finest venue at which she had ever performed.

Upon the full construction of the amphitheater to its present form by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the venue was formally dedicated on June 15, 1941. It has held regular concert seasons almost every year since 1947. On July 23, 1948, Igor Stravinsky conducted the Denver Symphony at Red Rocks. In 2020 and 2021, it was shut down temporarily as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first performance of each season is the Easter Sunrise Service, a nondenominational service held on Easter Sunday of each year. In 1958, Van Cliburn played Red Rocks to a sold-out crowd.

The earliest notable rock performance at Red Rocks was by The Beatles on August 26, 1964, the only concert not sold out during their US-tour. Beatles drummer Ringo Starr later recalled, “I remember it was very high and the air was thin. They were giving us hits from oxygen canisters.” When Starr returned to Red Rocks with his All-Starr Band on June 28, 2000, he asked if anyone in the crowd had been at the Beatles concert thirty-six years earlier. On August 26, 2004, the East-Coast-based Beatles-tribute band 1964 was flown to Denver to re-enact the Beatles concert held at the site exactly forty years earlier. The first country and western show at Red Rocks was on August 29, 1965, headlined by Johnny Cash.

The unique setting has led to the venue's becoming a favorite for many performers: Jimi Hendrix played at Red Rocks on September 1, 1968, along with Vanilla Fudge and Soft Machine. It was the first Red Rocks show booked by concert promoter Barry Fey. Diana Ross & the Supremes performed there on August 14, 1969.

An incident during a performance by Jethro Tull on June 10, 1971, led to a five-year ban of rock concerts at Red Rocks. Approximately 1,000 people without tickets arrived at the sold-out show. Denver police directed the overflow, non-paying crowd to an area behind the theater, where they could hear the music but not see the band. The situation seemed satisfactory until some of the people without tickets attempted to enter the amphitheater by charging at, and breaking through, the police line. Some of those without tickets began lobbing rocks at the police, and the police responded by discharging tear gas at the gate-crashers. The wind carried the tear gas over the hill, into the paying crowd and onto the stage. Following the "Riot at Red Rocks," Denver Mayor William H. McNichols Jr. banned rock concerts from the amphitheater. For the next five years, shows at Red Rocks were limited to softer acts, such as John Denver, Sonny & Cher, The Carpenters, Pat Boone, Seals & Crofts and Carole King. The ban on rock and roll was finally lifted through legal action taken by Barry Fey, who tried to book the band America at the venue in 1975. After being denied a permit by the city, Fey took the city to court, and the court ruled that the city had acted "arbitrarily and capricious" in banning rock concerts at Red Rocks. Starting in the summer of 1976, the rock bands were once again welcomed at the venue. Jethro Tull played Red Rocks again on June 7, 1988, August 12, 2008, and June 8, 2011.

On June 5, 1983, U2 performed during their War Tour, in front of only 4,400 in very inclement weather. The venue had been sold out, but the crowd size was affected by the weather, with attendees believing the show would be canceled. The show was not canceled because the band could not get their money back for the outlay on filming crews and equipment for the performance. Those who braved the weather and showed up were told personally by Bono, who came to the parking lot and into the crowd more than once, to ignore their seat assignments, and to move as forward as they wished to make the house seem full, since the show was being filmed for what became the group's concert film U2 Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky. The music video for "Sunday Bloody Sunday,” shown in heavy rotation on MTV, was also the fruit of the filming effort. Some songs from the show appear on the group's 1983 live album Under a Blood Red Sky.

Depeche Mode performed at the amphitheater four times: July 1, 1986, July 11 and 12, 1990, during their World Violation Tour, and on August 27, 2009, during their Tour of the Universe, in front of a crowd of 8,679 people. The 2009 show was recorded for the group's live albums project Recording the Universe.

Red Rocks was one of the favored venues for The Grateful Dead and the venue has become a traditional stop for many subsequent jam bands. In total the Grateful Dead played Red Rocks 20 times between 1978 and 1987. The performances on July 7, 1978, and July 8, 1978, were released as part of the July 1978: The Complete Recordings box set, with July 8 having a stand alone release, Red Rocks: 7/8/78. The Grateful Dead held the record for most sold out performances at Red Rocks until 2015.

Widespread Panic holds the record for the most sold-out performances at Red Rocks, with 72 as of June 2024. Blues Traveler has played the venue every Fourth of July since 1993, except 1999 when lead singer and harmonica player John Popper was unable to play due to heart surgery. Phish were banned from performing at Red Rocks after they played four concerts there in August 1996. Fans of the band who showed up to the concerts without tickets were accused of starting a riot outside the amphitheater on the second night, and the nearby town of Morrison was unprepared to accommodate the size of the band's following. Phish was not invited to perform at Red Rocks again until July 2009.

Geddy Lee of Rush said, "It's an amazing location...One of the most stunning concert venues in the United States... or anywhere. I would hazard a guess that it's one of the most beautiful places in the world." Rush played Red Rocks on their R30 30th Anniversary, Snakes and Arrows and Time Machine tours.

Colorado musicians who have performed at Red Rocks include John Denver in 1973, Judy Collins in 1973, Big Head Todd and the Monsters in 1994, Earth, Wind & Fire (some members are from Denver) in 2002, The Fray in 2006, DeVotchKa in 2008, 3OH!3 in 2012, Pretty Lights in 2012, OneRepublic in 2013, The Lumineers in 2013, and Strawberry Runners in 2016. As of 2023, Colorado band The String Cheese Incident has played at Red Rocks over 50 times.

On August 7, 2000, the "Film on the Rocks" series started with a screening of Casablanca.

In 2014, after voters in Colorado legalized marijuana, the Colorado Symphony played a cannabis-themed "Red Rocks on a High Note" show there. In 2018, Yo-Yo Ma began his tour of Bach's Cello Suites at Red Rocks.

On October 5, 2019, AJR played a sold-out show at the amphitheater for their Neotheater World Tour.

During the 2020 pandemic, Red Rocks hosted the Colorado Symphony Strings, which played sold-out Acoustic on the Rocks shows in July and August, following social-distancing guidelines.

In September 2020, virtual shows were streamed live. Despite Denver Arts & Venues announcing the closure of all its venues (including Red Rocks) in September, in-person shows did occur. Other events included drive-in movies for mainstream films and the Denver Film Festival's red carpet movies.

In 2021, Red Rocks Amphitheatre was named the top-grossing and most-attended concert venue of any size, anywhere in the world.

On August 9 and 10, 2022, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone held a live concert alongside rock bands Primus, Ween and Rush at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, commemorating South Park's 25th anniversary. Besides a few original songs from the supporting bands, the concert mainly consisted of Parker and Stone performing music from the series.

On June 21, 2023, the largest injury-inducing weather event in the venue's history occurred. Before Louis Tomlinson was scheduled to perform, a hailstorm with apple sized hail injured over 90 people, including 7 who were hospitalized.

On October 8, 2023, Noah Kahan played a sold-out show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre as part of his Stick Season Tour.

Notable recordings

Aerial view, January 1966

Red Rocks has been a popular venue for live recordings, particularly videos, due to the visual uniqueness of the setting. During the 1970s and 1980s, local folk-rocker John Denver recorded several world-televised concerts at Red Rocks. U2's 1983 concert video, Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky, became a bestselling long-form concert video and the performance of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" was played frequently on MTV. Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks released a 60-minute-long DVD of her August 1986 concert at the amphitheatre, towards the end of her Rock a Little tour. 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 also was 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.

UAV Aerial view, January 2013

Other Red Rocks material on CD and DVD includes Dave Matthews Band's albums Live at Red Rocks 8.15.95 and the CD/DVD Weekend on the Rocks, which is a compilation of the band's four-night run in 2005, their last performances at the venue. Also recorded are The Samples live album Live in Colorado, John Tesh's Live at Red Rocks and Worship at Red Rocks, the Incubus DVD Alive at Red Rocks, Blues Traveler's Live on the Rocks album, Steve Martin's comedy album A Wild and Crazy Guy, The Moody Blues's A Night at Red Rocks with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, and Boukman Eksperyans' album "Live At Red Rocks". Widespread Panic's DVD The Earth Will Swallow You features a 15-minute segment on Red Rocks.

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.

The live Neil Young album Road Rock Vol. 1 and its accompanying DVD, Red Rocks Live, were filmed and recorded at Red Rocks in 2000 during the "Silver and Gold" tour. Local Colorado band Big Head Todd and the Monsters released a DVD and live album of a 1995 performance in 2003, capturing what has become a local annual early season tradition. In 2009, they followed the original recording with a two-CD/1DVD set from their June 2008 performance.

A two-volume 2003 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. The follow-up live compilation CD, Carved In Stone – Volume 2, Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre was released in October 2007. 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.

Phish frontman Trey Anastasio included excerpts from his 2005 performance at Red Rocks on the DVD that accompanied his album Shine. Country musician Gary Allan filmed the music video for his song "Watching Airplanes" during a live, sold-out concert at Red Rocks in August 2007. A portion of British rock band Oasis's rockumentary film Lord Don't Slow Me Down was filmed at Red Rocks. A Perfect Circle also included one live video recording on the CD-DVD AMotion. Insane Clown Posse played with Twiztid, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Boondox, the Axe Murder Boyz, Grave Plott, The ROC, and Motown Rage in May 2008 at Red Rocks at perform the 'first annual' Hatchet Attacks Super Show, for which they released a video later that year.

Depeche Mode recorded their show at the amphitheatre on August 29, 2009, for their live album project, Recording the Universe.

Country singer Kenny Chesney included a live version of "You and Tequila", a duet with Grace Potter, on his album Welcome to the Fishbowl. The recording has a segment with audience participation singing the chorus "You and Tequila make me crazy, run like poison in my blood, one more night could kill me baby, one is one too many, one more is never enough".

A Perfect Circle recorded the DVD portion of their A Perfect Circle Live: Featuring Stone and Echo box set on August 2, 2011. Also included in the box set is a CD of the audio from the show.

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 performance was released on September 9, 2012, as the band's official video for the song. The band released a full-length DVD of their show at Red Rocks, recorded on August 28 and 29, 2012, entitled The Road To Red Rocks.

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. While performing the song "I Lived" they recorded the band, the audience, and one of their fans (Bryan Warnecke) for the "I Lived" music video. The video also featured several aerial views of the venue during the day as well as during the concert itself. This performance of the song was done to help spread awareness for cystic fibrosis and to share Bryan's journey with the disease. The music video was released on September 25, 2014.

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 and in 2017 the English hard rock supergroup Bad Company.

Opeth released a live DVD and Blu-ray of their May 11, 2017, performance at Red Rocks on November 2, 2018. Gojira performed the same night and released the full concert, titled Live At Red Rocks, on YouTube on May 20, 2020.

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. Comedian Bill Burr filmed a comedy special at Red Rocks in September 2021.

In film and television

In 1987, former Colorado Senator Gary Hart announced his campaign for president with a press conference at Red Rocks.

Part of the 1990 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 where lead singer Bobby Black (played by Vince Neil) makes a grand entrance hanging from the rock face of the landmark red rocks above the crowd swooping on stage via zipline.

Colorado Music Hall of Fame

In June 2015, the Colorado Music Hall of Fame opened its doors in the Trading Post at Red Rocks.

Gallery

See also

References

  1. "Red Rocks Entertainment Concerts | Visitor Info | Visitor Faq". redrocksonline.com. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  2. "History | 32nd Annual Pollstar Awards". Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  3. "Contract 202054285 Red Rocks Stage Roof". www.denvergov.org. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  4. "Red Rocks remodel starts on stage roof". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  5. milehighcre (July 27, 2021). "GH Phipps Installs New Stage Roof at Red Rocks Amphitheater". Mile High CRE. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  6. "Trail's End – Inclines and Funicular Railways in Colorado – Colorado Gambler". September 3, 2014. Archived from the original on May 1, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  7. "Red Rocks Entertainment Concerts | About | History Geology". redrocksonline.com. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  8. "How Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre came to be". The Columbian. December 25, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  9. Red Rocks Park Timeline of the 1930s and 1940s, from Denvergov.org
  10. Noel, Thomas J. (2004). Dyce, Erik (ed.). Sacred Stones: Colorado's Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. Denver: Johnson Publishing Company,1 962. ISBN 9780972953009.
  11. "Red Rocks celebrates a century of road shows". The Denver Post. May 11, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  12. "Red Rocks Music". Life Magazine. August 16, 1948.
  13. ^ "Red Rocks: Colorado's Legendary Concert Venue...For Classical Music?". CPR Classical. July 13, 2018.
  14. "Denver park record set by Beatles". Reading Eagle. (Pennsylvania). UPI. August 27, 1964. p. 4.
  15. ^ "Notable Performances".
  16. ^ "Rock concert sparks clash". Deseret News. (Salt Lake City, Utah). UPI. June 11, 1971. p. A2.
  17. Thomas J. Noel, Sacred Stones: Colorado's Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, pages 74–75. ISBN 978-0-9729530-0-9
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Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre History and Geology. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2017

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  1. "Red Rocks Entertainment Concerts - About - History Geology". redrocksonline.com. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
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