The Roxy Theatre (often just the Roxy) is a

nightclub A nightclub or dance club is a club that is open at night, usually for drinking, dancing and other entertainment. Nightclubs often have a Bar (establishment), bar and discotheque (usually simply known as disco) with a dance floor, laser lighti ...

on the

Sunset Strip The Sunset Strip is the stretch of Sunset Boulevard that passes through the city of West Hollywood, California, United States. It extends from West Hollywood's eastern border with the city of Los Angeles near Marmont Lane to its western bord ...

West Hollywood, California West Hollywood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Incorporated in 1984, it is home to the Sunset Strip. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. Census, its population was 35,757. History Most historical writing ...

, owned by

Lou Adler Lester Louis Adler (born December 13, 1933) is an American record and film producer and the co-owner of the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, California. Adler has produced and developed a number of high-profile musical artists, including The G ...

and his son, Nic.

History

The Roxy was opened on September 20, 1973, by Elmer Valentine and

, along with original partners

David Geffen David Lawrence Geffen (born February 21, 1943) is an American film producer, record executive, and media proprietor. In music, he co-founded Asylum Records with Elliot Roberts in 1971 before founding Geffen Records in 1980, DGC Records in 1 ...

, Elliot Roberts and

Peter Asher Peter Asher (born 22 June 1944) is an English guitarist, singer, manager and record producer. He came to prominence in the 1960s as a member of the pop music vocal duo Peter and Gordon before going on to a successful career as a manager and re ...

. They took over the building previously occupied by a

strip club A strip club (also known as a strip joint, striptease bar, peeler bar, gentlemen's club, among others) is a venue where strippers provide adult entertainment, predominantly in the form of striptease and other erotic dances including lap dances. St ...

owned by Chuck Landis called the Largo. (Adler was also responsible for bringing the stage play ''

The Rocky Horror Show ''The Rocky Horror Show'' is a Musical theatre, musical with music, lyrics and book by Richard O'Brien. A humorous tribute to various B movies associated with the Science fiction film, science fiction and Horror film, horror genres from the 193 ...

'' to the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

, and it opened its first American run at The Roxy Theatre in 1974, before it was made into the movie ''

The Rocky Horror Picture Show ''The Rocky Horror Picture Show'' is a 1975 independent musical comedy horror film produced by Lou Adler and Michael White, directed by Jim Sharman, and distributed by 20th Century Fox. The screenplay was written by Sharman and Richard O ...

'' the next year.)

Neil Young Neil Percival Young (born November 12, 1945) is a Canadian and American singer-songwriter. After embarking on a music career in Winnipeg in the 1960s, Young moved to Los Angeles, forming the folk rock group Buffalo Springfield. Since the begi ...

and the Santa Monica Flyers (billed as

Crazy Horse Crazy Horse ( , ; – September 5, 1877) was a Lakota people, Lakota war leader of the Oglala band. He took up arms against the United States federal government to fight against encroachment by White Americans, White American settlers on Nativ ...

, a related ensemble) played the Roxy for the first three days it was open. Only three months later, the

Genesis Genesis may refer to: Religion * Book of Genesis, the first book of the biblical scriptures of both Judaism and Christianity, describing the creation of the Earth and of humankind * Genesis creation narrative, the first several chapters of the Bo ...

lineup with

Peter Gabriel Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950) is an English singer, songwriter, musician, and human rights activist. He came to prominence as the original frontman of the rock band Genesis. He left the band in 1975 and launched a solo career wit ...

played several consecutive days at the Roxy, a run that some band members and many fans consider to be amongst their finest performances (due in part, to the intimate atmosphere and good acoustics of the venue).

Paul Reubens Paul Reubens (; ; August 27, 1952 – July 30, 2023) was an American actor and comedian, widely known for creating and portraying the character Pee-wee Herman. Born in Peekskill, New York and raised in both Oneonta, New York and Sarasota, Flo ...

, then a struggling comedian, introduced his Pee-wee Herman character in a raunchy revue here in 1981 that included such aspiring comics as

Phil Hartman Philip Edward Hartman (; September 24, 1948 – May 28, 1998) was a Canadian-American comedian, actor, screenwriter and graphic designer. Hartman was born in Brantford, Ontario, and his family moved to the United States when he w ...

and

Elayne Boosler Elayne Boosler (born August 18, 1952) is an American comedian, writer, and actress. She was one of the few women working in stand-up comedy in the 1970s and 80s, and she broke ground by adopting an Observational comedy, observational style that ...

. Tom Eyen's hit comedy '' Women Behind Bars'' enjoyed a long extended run with such stars as Lu Leonard,

Adrienne Barbeau Adrienne Jo Barbeau (born June 11, 1945) is an American actress and author. She came to prominence in the 1970s as Broadway's original Rizzo in the musical ''Grease (musical), Grease'', and as Carol Traynor, the divorced daughter of Maude Findl ...

Sally Kellerman Sally Clare Kellerman (June 2, 1937 – February 24, 2022) was an American actress whose acting career spanned 60 years. Her role as List of M*A*S*H characters#Margaret Houlihan, Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in Robert Altman's film ''M*A*S ...

, and

Linda Blair Linda Denise Blair (born January 22, 1959) is an American actress and activist. Her portrayal of Regan MacNeil in the horror film ''The Exorcist'' (1973) established her in popular culture and as a scream queen, earning her a Golden Globe Award ...

, and was the site of the first

AIDS The HIV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a Preventive healthcare, pr ...

benefit held in Los Angeles on July 27, 1983. In January 2014, Goldenvoice became the exclusive promoter for The Roxy and ushered in a new era by bringing in big-name acts such as U2 and Foo Fighters.

Recordings and notable performances

recorded the live album '' Roxy: Tonight's The Night Live'' on September 20–22, 1973. The album was released in April 2018. *Nine songs from Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band's ''Live/1975-85'' album were recorded at the Roxy from shows on October 18-19, 1975 and July 7, 1978. The 1978 show was also broadcast on local radio station KMET and released as a live album in July 2018. One of the nights done in 1975 was released in December 2018. *

Frank Zappa Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) was an American guitarist, composer, and bandleader. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa composed Rock music, rock, Pop music, pop, jazz, jazz fusion, orchestra ...

The Mothers of Invention The Mothers of Invention (also known as the Mothers) were an American rock music, rock band from California. Formed in 1964, their work is marked by the use of sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Originally an ...

recorded most of their '' Roxy and Elsewhere'' (1974) album during December 1973. Since 1974, various albums have included material from those shows. In 2015, a live concert video was released showing those performances. The entire series of performances (all four public shows from December 9–10, 1973) was released as a 7-CD box set in February 2018. *

Richard Pryor Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor Sr. (December 1, 1940 – December 10, 2005) was an American stand-up comedian and actor. Known for reaching a broad audience with his trenchant observations and storytelling style, he is widely regarded ...

recorded '' Bicentennial Nigger'' in July 1976. * Bob Marley & The Wailers recorded '' Live at the Roxy'' (released in 2008) on May 26, 1976. * Bob Marley & The Wailers played here on November 27, 1979 as part of their Survival Tour. *

Van Morrison Sir George Ivan "Van" Morrison (born 31 August 1945) is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician whose recording career started in the 1960s. Morrison's albums have performed well in the UK and Ireland, with more than 40 reaching the UK ...

recorded a radio show in November 1978 that was released as a promo LP ''Live at the Roxy''. *

Warren Zevon Warren William Zevon (January 24, 1947 – September 7, 2003) was an American rock singer and songwriter. His most famous compositions include "Werewolves of London", "Lawyers, Guns and Money" and "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner". All t ...

's live album, '' Stand in the Fire'', was recorded during five shows he played at The Roxy in April 1980. He also recorded another album, ''Live at The Roxy'', in April 1978, and this was released in 2020. *

The Tragically Hip The Tragically Hip, often referred to simply as the Hip, was a Canadian rock band formed in Kingston, Ontario in 1984, consisting of vocalist Gord Downie, guitarist Paul Langlois, guitarist Rob Baker (known as Bobby Baker until 1994), bassis ...

recorded Live at the Roxy in 1991. *Jazz group The Crusaders recorded the live album ''Scratch'' at the Roxy in 1974. *

The Ramones The Ramones were an American punk rock band formed in the New York City neighborhood Forest Hills, Queens in 1974. Known for helping establish the punk movement in the United States and elsewhere, the Ramones are often recognized as one of t ...

played their first California concert at the Roxy on August 11, 1976. The concert scenes for their 1979 movie '' Rock 'n' Roll High School'' were filmed at the Roxy in December 1978. *

George Benson George Washington Benson (born March 22, 1943) is an American jazz fusion guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He began his professional career at the age of 19 as a jazz guitarist. A former child prodigy, Benson first came to prominence in the ...

's Platinum live album '' Weekend in L.A.'' (1978) was culled from a three-night engagement at The Roxy from September 30 – October 2, 1977. *

John Mayall John Brumwell Mayall (29 November 1933 – 22 July 2024) was an English blues and Rock music, rock musician, songwriter and producer. In the 1960s, he formed John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, a band that has counted among its members some of ...

's November 24 1976 concert at the Roxy was released in 1977 as "Lots of People". *The live album ''Welcome to the Club'' by the Ian Hunter Band, featuring

Mick Ronson Michael Ronson (26 May 1946 – 29 April 1993) was an English musician, songwriter, arranger, and producer. He achieved critical and commercial success working with David Bowie as the guitarist of the Spiders from Mars. He was a session musici ...

, was recorded at the Roxy during seven shows over a week in November 1979 and released the following year. *English prog rock band Gentle Giant played their last gig here on June 16, 1980. The soundboard recording was later released as the live album ''The Last Steps''. *English prog rock band

played six shows in three days on December 17-19, 1973 as part of their Selling England by the Pound tour. They also played here on May 25, 1980 as part of their

Duke Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of Royal family, royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and above sovereign princes. As royalty or nobi ...

tour. *Musician

Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris (; Judkins; born May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American and Ghanaian singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th c ...

played a concert at the Roxy featuring the first ever live performances of his hits Lately and Master Blaster (Jammin'). * Tom Browne presents his Album "Love Approach" with the hit "Funkin for Jamaica" feat. Tony Smith, in August 1980 *

Crusaders The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated, supported, and at times directed by the Papacy during the Middle Ages. The most prominent of these were the campaigns to the Holy Land aimed at reclaiming Jerusalem and its surrounding ...

present their new LP with "Street Life" feat.

Randy Crawford Veronica "Randy" Crawford (born February 18, 1952) is an American retired jazz and R&B singer. She has been more successful in Europe than in the United States, where she has not entered the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 as a solo artist. However, sh ...

, in August 1980 *

Chaka Khan Yvette Marie Stevens (born March 23, 1953), better known by her stage name Chaka Khan ( ), is an American singer. Known as the " Queen of Funk", her career has spanned more than five decades beginning in the early 1970s as the lead vocalist of ...

presents "What cha gonna do for me" with Steve Ferrone and Brecker Bros. on June 7, 1981 * Billy & The Beaters' 1981 debut album (including singles "I Can Take Care of Myself" and "

At This Moment "At This Moment" is a song written by Billy Vera and recorded live by Vera and his band under the name Billy Vera & the Beaters in 1981, during a string of performances at the Roxy Theatre (West Hollywood), Roxy in West Hollywood, California, We ...

") was recorded live at the Roxy January 15–17, 1981. *In 1984,

Ratt Ratt (stylized as RATT) was an American glam metal band that had significant commercial success in the 1980s, with their albums having been certified as gold, platinum and multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, RIAA. ...

recorded the video for their hit single "Back for More" from the album ''

Out of the Cellar ''Out of the Cellar'' is the debut studio album by the American Heavy metal music, heavy metal band Ratt, released in 1984 by Atlantic Records. The album was an immediate success, with wide airplay on radio and heavy rotation on MTV of its singl ...

'' at The Roxy. *

Guns N' Roses Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985 as a merger of local bands L.A. Guns and Hollywood Rose. When they signed to Geffen Records in 1986, the band's "classic" line-up consisted of vocalist Axl R ...

recorded ''Live at the Roxy'' in 1986. *

Jane's Addiction Jane's Addiction was an American Rock music, rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1985. The band's best known line-up consisted of lead vocalist Perry Farrell, bassist Eric Avery, drummer Stephen Perkins and guitarist Dave Navarro. Jane's Addicti ...

recorded the basic tracks for their 1987 self-titled debut album, at The Roxy in January, 1987. While the album was finished in studio, the band hoped tracking the basics live would better help capture the energy and essence of the band. *The ''Too Hot For Snakes'' album by Carla Olson and Mick Taylor was recorded on March 4, 1990. *

Agent Orange Agent Orange is a chemical herbicide and defoliant, one of the tactical uses of Rainbow Herbicides. It was used by the U.S. military as part of its herbicidal warfare program, Operation Ranch Hand, during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971. T ...

's live album ''Real Live Sound'' was recorded here on July 21, 1990. * System of a Down made their first performance here on May 28, 1995, due to their manager and bassist

Shavo Odadjian Shavarsh "Shavo" Odadjian (; born April 22, 1974) is an Armenian-American musician, best known as the bassist of nu metal band System of a Down. He also plays bass in a Trap music, trap group called North Kingsley and in the metal band Seven Hou ...

persisting. *

NOFX NOFX () was an American punk rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983. Bassist/lead vocalist Fat Mike, rhythm guitarist Eric Melvin and drummer Erik Sandin were original founding and longest-serving members of the band, who have appeared on every ...

's live album ''

I Heard They Suck Live!! ''I Heard They Suck Live!!'' is a live album by NOFX. It was recorded January 8 and 9, 1995, at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood. At time of release, the name or exact location of the club was not disclosed for royalty reasons. The location was la ...

'' was recorded at the Roxy on January 8–9, 1995. *

Michel Polnareff Michel Polnareff (born 3 July 1944) is a French singer-songwriter who rose to prominence in the 1960s. He is noted for integrating rock and pop elements into his early work. He wrote pop hits such as "La Poupée qui fait non" and "Love Me, Ple ...

's live album ''Live at the Roxy'' was recorded in 1995 and released in 1996. *

Social Distortion Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. It consists of Mike Ness (vocals, guitar), Jonny Wickersham (guitar), Brent Harding (bass), David Hidalgo Jr. (drums), and David Kalish (keyboards). Emerg ...

released a live album, entitled '' Live at the Roxy'' on June 30, 1998, that was recorded on April 7–9, 1998. *

Gustavo Cerati Gustavo Adrián Cerati Clarke (11 August 1959 – 4 September 2014) was an Argentine musician and singer-songwriter who gained international recognition for being the leader, vocalist, composer, and guitarist of the rock band Soda Stereo. He is ...

as part of the album presentation tour: '' Bocanada'' in December 2000. *The CD/DVD album '' Collision Course'' by

Linkin Park Linkin Park is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The band's current lineup consists of vocalist/rhythm guitarist/keyboardist Mike Shinoda, lead guitarist Brad Delson, DJ/turntablist Joe Hahn, bass ...

and

Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American Rapping, rapper, businessman, and record executive. Rooted in East Coast hip-hop, he was named Billboard and Vibe's 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time, the ...

, comes with a DVD that contains behind the scene footage and the second take of all the Collision Course's songs at the Roxy Theatre on July 18, 2004. *

Adele Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (; born 5 May 1988) is an English singer-songwriter. Regarded as a British cultural icon, icon, she is known for her mezzo-soprano vocals and sentimental songwriting. List of awards and nominations received by Adele, ...

performed at the theatre during her debut concert tour called "'' An Evening with Adele''" on 21 May 2008. *

Sum 41 Sum 41 was a Canadian rock band formed in Ajax, Ontario, in 1996. The band's final lineup consisted of Deryck Whibley (lead vocals, guitars, keyboards), Dave Baksh (lead guitar, backing vocals), Jason McCaslin (bass, backing vocals), Tom T ...

shot the video for their song " Screaming Bloody Murder" at the Roxy on April 3, 2011. * Fuse TV taped the live performance of

Red Hot Chili Peppers The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1982, consisting of Anthony Kiedis (vocals), Flea (musician), Flea (bass), John Frusciante (guitar), and Chad Smith (drums). Their music incorporates elements of a ...

for ''Fuse Presents: Red Hot Chili Peppers Live from the Roxy'' on August 22, 2011. *

Korn Korn (stylized as KoЯn) is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, originally formed in 1993 by James Shaffer, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald Arvizu, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu and David Silveria, who were members of the band ...

shot the performance part of the video for their song " Narcissistic Cannibal" at the Roxy on September 27, 2011. * Escape the Fate released a DVD, ''Escape the Fate: Live from the Roxy'' from their free show there on January 6, 2013. It was included in their Deluxe version of the album '' Ungrateful''. * 7horse held their record release party for their latest album “The Last Resort” on November 4, 2022. Guests included Nick Maybury and

Cherie Currie Cherie Ann Currie (born November 30, 1959) is an American singer, musician, actress, and artist. Currie was the lead vocalist of the Runaways, a rock band from Los Angeles, in the mid-to-late 1970s. She later became a solo artist. Currie and h ...

, as well as burlesque dancers, magician and other assorted characters. *

Al Stewart Alastair Ian Stewart (born 5 September 1945) is a British singer-songwriter and folk-rock musician who rose to prominence as part of the British folk revival in the 1960s and 1970s. He developed a unique style of combining folk-rock songs wi ...

recorded the live section of his album Live/Indian Summer from 28-30 April 1981 and released in October 1981. * Trevor Rabin recorded his live album, '' Live in LA'' at the Roxy in 1989, later released in 2003

References

External links

The Roxy official website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Roxy Theatre Nightclubs in Los Angeles County, California Buildings and structures in West Hollywood, California Landmarks in Los Angeles County, California Music venues in California 1973 establishments in California Art Deco architecture in California

History

Recordings and notable performances

See also

References

External links