Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre: a venue with history
In 1983, the band U2 took the stage at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, located just outside of Denver. The people making up the audience were the boldest of the bold: they had braved torrential rain and flash flood warnings for a band that had not yet reached the level of universal acclaim it enjoys today. However, that night would be a turning point for both the band and the venue. U2′s epic, intoxicating rock reached out to the audience through a thick, freezing mist and catapulted the band into the public eye, especially with the performance of “Sunday Bloody Sunday.” It also raised the status of Red Rocks to a world-famous concert venue.The amphitheatre is located in Red Rocks Park, a mountain range that includes part of the Fountain Formation. Members of the Ute Native American tribe camped at the site for centuries, and early settlers referred to it as “Red Rocks.” Formally named “Garden of the Angels” in 1870 and then “Garden of the Titans” in 1906, Denver reverted to the original name after purchasing it in 1928.The first bandleader to perform in the venue was Pietro Satri alongside a 25-piece brass band for the “Grand Opening of the Garden of the Titans” on May 31, 1906. The earliest performances were by opera and military bands, but that all changed in 1964 when the Beatles performed. Other notable performers include the Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic, Jimi Hendrix, and more.Today, the venue hosts a variety of performers, from the emo-punk of Paramore to the Irish female group Celtic Woman. In addition, Red Rocks hosts the “Film on the Rocks” series during the summer, showing hit films from all eras. Come early and enjoy food and drinks from their Ship Rock Grille.