09/21/2023
50 years ago today, on September 20, 1973, The Roxy Theatre on Sunset Blvd opened with a night featuring Cheech and Chong, Graham Nash, and headliner Neil Young. In the audience were Alice Cooper, Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Helen Reddy, Carol King, Herb Alpert, members of the Allman Brothers band, and, at one point, Elvis Presley.
The Roxy has been a rock n roll staple since Lou Adler, Elliot Roberts, Peter Asher, and David Geffen first opened the venue. It was Lou Adler who brought “Rocky Horror Picture Show" to the United States where it began its run in America at The Roxy in 1974. It was made into a movie the following year.
The first of many big name acts to play The Roxy was Neil Young and the Santa Monica Flyers. Three months later, Peter Gabriel and Genesis played back-to-back dates. Other acts that have played this famous stage include Bob Marley, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Warren Zevon, Frank Zappa, Nirvana, the Foo Fighters, Meat Loaf, Guns N' Roses, Van Morrison, Jane's Addiction, and Joan Jett.
It was also a popular venue for comics such as John Belushi and Paul Reubens who launched his new character, Pee-wee Herman, in a showcase that also included Phil Hartman and Elayne Boosler.
Above the venue is a small bar called On the Rox. It became a favorite hangout for John Lennon, Harry Nilsson, Alice Cooper and Keith Moon in 1973.
This photo was taken in when Bruce Springsteen played here in 1975
Happy anniversary to The Roxy! I believe Neil Young is performing there tonight for the official 50th anniversary bash!
