Editing Red Rocks Amphitheatre (section)

== Notable performances ==
[[File:Red Rocks Amphitheatre from top of amphitheatre.jpeg|thumb|right|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 (magazine)|''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|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.<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=[[The Denver Post]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite magazine| title=Red Rocks Music| magazine=[[Life 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 [[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.<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>

The earliest notable [[rock-and-roll| rock]] performance at Red Rocks was by [[The Beatles]] 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 [[Ringo Starr]] 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 [[Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band|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 the Tribute|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]].<ref name=Notable/>

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]].<ref name=Notable/> [[Diana Ross & the Supremes]] performed there on August 14, 1969.

An incident during a performance by [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]] 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 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.<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 [[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 (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[ly]" 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#Music video|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 (tour)|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 band]]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 ''[[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 [[Independence Day (United States)|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> [[Phish]] 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 [[Morrison, Colorado|Morrison]] 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"/>

[[Geddy Lee]] of [[Rush (band)|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."<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 [[R30: 30th Anniversary Tour|R30 30th Anniversary]], [[Snakes & Arrows Tour|Snakes and Arrows]] and [[Time Machine Tour|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.<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 [[The String Cheese Incident]] 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>

On August 7, 2000, the "Film on the Rocks" series started with a screening of [[Casablanca (film)| ''Casablanca'']].<ref name=Notable/>

In 2014, after voters in Colorado legalized [[marijuana]], 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, [[Yo-Yo Ma]] began his tour of [[Bach]]'s [[Cello Suites (Bach)|Cello Suites]] 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>

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.<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>

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 [https://www.artsandvenuesdenver.com/about Denver Arts & Venues] 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 |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, ''[[South Park]]'' creators [[Trey Parker]] and [[Matt Stone]] held a live concert alongside rock bands [[Primus (band)|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.<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 [[Louis Tomlinson]] 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, [[Noah Kahan]] played a sold-out show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre as part of his [[Stick Season (album)|Stick Season]] Tour.