The venue
The Roxy has been a central part of the Sunset Strip music scene since 1973. The grand opening was celebrated by a 3-night performance by Neil Young. The first year featured headliners such as Cheech and Chong, Jerry Lewis, The Temptations, and Frank Zappa, and it was the site for the recording of Bob Marley’s Live at the Roxy in 1976. During the first few years, the opening acts mainly consisted of emerging comedians. These fresh-faced performers included Jay Leno, David Letterman, and Arsenio Hall. Several stage shows began on this famous stage. In 1974, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which was produced by Lou Adler, had its first American run at The Roxy. Since then, a virtual who’s-who of rock music has performed at the Roxy. (Visit West Hollywood. This page includes some great videos and interviews.)
Atop the club was a private, members-only venue known as On the Rox. Here, the club’s owners and famous friends rubbed elbows. Regulars included members of the so-called Hollywood vampires, including John Lennon and Alice Cooper, as well as A-list actors like Jack Nicholson and Robert De Niro. Today, it serves as an intimate, 21+ venue for new and up-and-coming artists. Visit California
"For an artist, playing at The Roxy is a rite of passage, you don’t go to a show at the Roxy, you are part of the show" (video interview, interview with Nic Adler who now runs The Roxy. Nic is the son of one of the founders, famous music producer Lou Adler).
