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The Hollywood Bowl in the early 1920s -

While the Hollywood Bowl officially opened on July 11, 1922, the venue in fact hosted a number of earlier performances throughout November 1921. One of these shows was the first Easter Sunrise Service, on November 11. In those days, the amphitheater's stage consisted of little more than a wooden platform covered with canvas.

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Sunrise Service -

The Bowl's Easter Sunrise Service has a long history, and is still a major annual event. This image from the early 1930s shows the event taking place under the familiar band shell, first added in 1926 and an iconic architectural feature of the venue. The Easter sunrise services are attended by thousands of worshippers who gather at early dawn to welcome resurrection morn. The living cross is formed by children clad in white garments. 

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The Hollywood Bowl in the 1920s -

The landmark band shell underwent several modifications in the 1920s, with American architect Frank Lloyd Wright Jr. (son of the famed Frank Lloyd Wright Sr.) designing a wooden shell in 1928 with a concentric ring motif.

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Hollywood Bowl Orchestra -

For the 1929 season, Allied Architects revamped Lloyd Wright's design. But the concentric rings remained. Meanwhile, the venue became the permanent home of several classical music orchestras, so-called "Bowl Orchestras." The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra is the current resident.

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Charlie Chaplin -

The Hollywood Bowl quickly became a venue to be seen in, such was its burgeoning celebrity pull. Pictured is Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard attending a production of 'Everyman' on September 13, 1936.

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Bette Davis -

Screen legend Bette Davis is seen chatting with an admirer before a September 1945 concert at the amphitheater.

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The Bowl in the '50s -

Performances of national and international ballet and opera were regularly hosted at the Bowl throughout the 1930s and 1940s. By the late '40s, however, the popular music craze was sweeping across America, bringing with it new voices and new faces.

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Frank Sinatra -

Frank Sinatra is seen here making an early appearance at the Hollywood Bowl. The legendary crooner returned to the venue several times throughout his career.

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Louis Armstrong -

The Bowl became a second home to many of the great artists of the 1950s. Pictured is jazz legend Louis Armstrong performing at the inaugural show of the 1954-55 season.

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Cartoon concerts -

The 1950s saw cartoon favorites Tom and Jerry appear' at the Hollywood Bowl. In keeping with the theme, the film-and-orchestra concert Bugs Bunny on Broadway, subsequently called Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, played the Hollywood Bowl a record 21 times—19 times with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and twice with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.

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Charity appeal -

The Bowl has served as a preferred venue for numerous charity concerts and events throughout its history. Pictured in June 1960 is actress Debbie Reynolds rehearsing for the Boy's Club of Hollywood Benefit Performance.

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Hosting the 1960s -

The 1960s were a decade that saw some of the greatest and most influential artists in music history invited to perform at the Hollywood Bowl.

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The Beatles -

In 1964, the Beatles put rock and roll on the Bowl map when they made their debut at the venue on August 23 in front of a sellout crowd. The performance was recorded, which resulted in the live album 'The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl,' eventually released in 1977. It was re-released in 2016 as 'Live at the Hollywood Bowl' with four extra tracks.

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The Beach Boys -

The Beach Boys—Al Jardine, Mike Love, Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson, and Carl Wilson—relax with fans before their show at the Hollywood Bowl on July 3, 1965.

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Jimi Hendrix -

Guitar ace Jimi Hendrix plays his Fender Stratocaster on stage during a soundcheck for his performance at the Hollywood Bowl on August 18, 1967. He was opening for another defining act of 1960's counterculture, the Mamas & the Papas.

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The Mamas & the Papas -

The Mamas & the Papas—John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Cass Elliot, and Denny Doherty—on stage at the Bowl in front of 18,000 people.

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The Grateful Dead -

Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead rehearses at the Bowl before the band's September 15, 1967 gig.

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Rod Stewart -

Rod Stewart, then front man with British rock group the Faces, on stage at the Bowl in August 1972.

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Monty Python -

In September 1980 the Hollywood Bowl welcomed the Monty Python comedy troupe for a four-day run of maverick mirth and merriment. The Pythons are pictured prior to their filmed live show, released in 1982 as 'Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl.' The five surviving members of Monty Python (Graham Chapman had died in 1989) returned to the venue in 2015 to perform their 'Spamalot' show.

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Playboy Jazz Festival -

In 1979, the inaugural Playboy Jazz Festival was held at the Bowl. It has taken place at the venue ever since. Pictured is Ray Charles closing the 1988 edition.

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Prince -

Prince included the Hollywood Bowl as a venue during his 1997 concert tour of the US. The October 11 gig saw the diminutive singer perform favorites like 'Purple Rain' and 'Sexy M.F.' He also sat at the piano to sing 'Diamonds and Pearls' and 'Raspberry Beret,' among other evergreen hits.

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Coldplay -

Chris Martin sang numbers at the piano during Coldplay's May 31, 2003 gig at the Bowl. The notice reads "Make Trade Fair," a reference to the band's support of Fairtrade International.

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New, acoustically-improved shell -

Shortly after the end of the 2003 summer season, the aging 1929 Hollywood Bowl shell was replaced with a larger, acoustically-improved shell. One of the first artists to perform in this dynamic new environment was Sting, who gave a concert at the Bowl on September 29, 2004.

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The Rolling Stones -

Mick Jagger takes a bow as the Rolling Stones conclude their gig at the Bowl on June 11, 2005.

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Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers -

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed at the Hollywood Bowl on September 25, 2017 as the last stop on the band's 40th anniversary tour. That show was front man Petty's final performance before his death just a week later following a cardiac arrest.

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Kylie Minogue -

Australian singer Kylie Minogue made her Hollywood Bowl debut on October 4, 2009, as part of her KylieUSA2009 American tour.

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Pharrell Williams -

Pharrell Williams performs on stage during the annual We Can Survive concert at the Hollywood Bowl on October 24, 2014. We Can Survive is a high-profile concert that recognizes National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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Billie Eilish -

Hosted at the Bowl every year since 2013, We Can Survive attracts some of the biggest names in entertainment. Pictured is Billie Eilish on stage at the Bowl in October 2019.

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Movie star stage -

Performances at the Hollywood Bowl are often introduced by movie stars. Here's actor Andy Garcia welcoming the audience before a daylight show in October 2009.

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Best live music venue -

The new, improved, and expanded Hollywood Bowl today. It was named one of the 10 best live music venues in America by Rolling Stone magazine in 2018, and remains one of the most illustrious stages in the world. Image: Department of the Interior/US Geological Survey.

Sources: (Los Angeles Daily News) (Los Angeles Magazine) (Discogs) (Discover Los Angeles) (Los Angeles Times) (Rolling Stone)

See also: The most elaborate music concert stage and lighting designs

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