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0 / 30 Fotos
Radio City Music Hall construction
- Radio City Music Hall under construction on a plot of land that was originally intended for an opera house. The new venue's chosen name was the International Music Hall. It was built at the same time as the Rockefeller Center, seen in the background and eventually to become one of New York's landmark buildings.
© Getty Images
1 / 30 Fotos
Samuel "Roxy" Rothafel
- Theatrical impresario and entrepreneur Samuel "Roxy" Rothafel (1882–1936) was the man behind the idea to build the theater. He already owned the nearby Roxy Theatre.
© Getty Images
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Interior design
- The hall was designed by architect Edward Durell Stone (1902–1978) and interior designer Donald Deskey (1894–1989). Stone also designed the city's Museum of Modern Art and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
© Getty Images
3 / 30 Fotos
Name change
- A name change led to the theater being called Radio City Music Hall, named after one of the completed Rockefeller Center's first tenants, the Radio Corporation of America (RCA). Pictured is the brand new building a few days before its official inauguration on Tuesday, December 27, 1932.
© Getty Images
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Opening night
- Over 6,000 guests were invited to attend the opening night. Among them were some of America's wealthiest and most influential individuals.
© Getty Images
5 / 30 Fotos
Celebrity guests
- A guest of honor was billionaire philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. (1874–1960), the man behind the construction of the Rockefeller Center.
© Getty Images
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Walter P. Chrysler
- Industrialist and automotive pioneer Walter P. Chrysler (1875–1940) arrives with his wife, Della (pictured on the right).
© Getty Images
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Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney
- Businessman and financier Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney (1899–1992) seen with second wife, Gwladys, in the theater's lobby during the formal opening.
© Getty Images
8 / 30 Fotos
Opening night show
- Guests are photographed settled in their seats in the capacity-filled theater. The lavish stage show began at 8 pm.
© Getty Images
9 / 30 Fotos
Showtime
- The production included appearances by big-name entertainers of the era, celebrities such as actor and singer Ray Bolger, vaudeville act The Mirthquakers, and dancer Patricia Bowman.
© Getty Images
10 / 30 Fotos
Patricia Bowman
- Acclaimed American ballet dancer Patricia Bowman (1908–1999) in fact became the first prima ballerina at Radio City Music Hall, and was later a founding member of the American Ballet Theatre.
© Getty Images
11 / 30 Fotos
The Rockettes
- The dance troupe most closely associated with Radio City Music Hall is the Rockettes (pictured in the early 1930s). Various incarnations of the dancing group have appeared at the venue since its opening in 1932. They are respected internationally for their precision routines and virtuoso choreography.
© Getty Images
12 / 30 Fotos
Costume room
- The busy costume room at Radio City Music Hall in the mid-1930s, with members of the Rockettes being fitted into their stage outfits.
© Getty Images
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Financial problems
- As early as 1933, the hall was loosing money. A decision was therefore made to share the stage with Hollywood. Pictured is Radio City Music Hall, seen from the RCA Building on 51st street, in 1936.
© Getty Images
14 / 30 Fotos
'The Bitter Tea of General Yen' (1933)
- The first movie screened at the music hall was 'The Bitter Tea of General Yen,' directed by Frank Capra and starring Barbara Stanwyck and Nils Asther.
© Getty Images
15 / 30 Fotos
'Topaze' (1933)
- The gamble paid off. Furthermore, the venue became the premiere showcase for films from the RKO-Radio Studio, with 'Topaze,' starring John Barrymore and Myrna Loy, the first RKO picture to play there. In all, more than 700 movies opened at Radio City Music Hall before the film-plus-stage-spectacle format was abandoned, with the last picture, 'The Promise,' screened in 1979.
© Getty Images
16 / 30 Fotos
Concert venue
- Throughout the 1970s, Radio City Music Hall provided a stage for some memorable music concerts. Pictured is David Bowie in 1974 during his Diamond Dogs tour.
© Getty Images
17 / 30 Fotos
'Night of 100 Stars'
- In February 1982, Radio City Music Hall hosted one of the most glittering celebrity extravaganzas in its history, the charity fundraiser 'Night of 100 Stars.' Taped for television, the venue was packed with the likes of Liza Minelli, Elizabeth Taylor, Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Paul Newman, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and Princess Grace (in one of her last show business engagements). Pictured assembled for the finale are the stars who participated, including in the front row James Stewart, George Burns, and Orson Welles.
© Getty Images
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Top New York City music venue
- Radio City Music Hall equals Madison Square Garden as a New York City venue of choice for leading musical artists. Pictured is musician Marvin Gaye on stage during his Sexual Healing tour in 1983.
© Getty Images
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Prince
- Prince performs on stage at Radio City Music Hall in March 1993.
© Getty Images
20 / 30 Fotos
MTV Video Music Awards
- A host of music stars continued appearing at the music hall. But by the mid-1990s, Radio City started hosting regular television shows. These productions included the glitzy MTV Video Music Awards. Here, Britney Spears, Madonna, and Christina Aguilera sing together during the 2003 edition.
© Getty Images
21 / 30 Fotos
Grammy Awards
- Bob Dylan holds his Grammy Award after winning in the Album of the Year Category at the 40th Grammy Awards at Radio City Music Hall in February 1998.
© Getty Images
22 / 30 Fotos
Tony Awards
- With Broadway's theater district just a few blocks away, it made perfect sense for the music hall to host the annual Tony Awards. Pictured is Australian actor Hugh Jackman performing with members of the Broadway musical 'Hairspray' on stage during the 2004 edition.
© Getty Images
23 / 30 Fotos
NFL Draft
- Radio City Music Hall was the site of the NFL Draft between 2006 and 2014. This is a general view of the stage during the 2007 NFL Draft.
© Getty Images
24 / 30 Fotos
Special events
- Special concerts and events take place regularly at the venue. Pictured is Paul McCartney and former Beatle bandmate Ringo Starr performing for the David Lynch Foundation's Change Begins Within concert, held at the music hall in 2009.
© Getty Images
25 / 30 Fotos
Gala spectaculars
- Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga perform live at Radio City Music Hall in August 2021 during their One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga concert.
© Getty Images
26 / 30 Fotos
Screen time
- While the venue rarely puts on movies today, exceptions are made for events like this, the screening of 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers' with Howard Shore's score performed live and with subtitles for the hard of hearing.
© Getty Images
27 / 30 Fotos
Christmas Spectacular
- The annual Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes remains one of the venue's most popular shows. The highlight is the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers. Since the first version was presented in 1933, the show has become a New York Christmas tradition.
© Getty Images
28 / 30 Fotos
Future plans
- In March 2021, plans were approved to build a rooftop terrace on Radio City Music Hall, but not to the detriment of the building's signature Art Deco design element. Sources: (History) (Madison Square Garden) See also: Live at the Hollywood Bowl!
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
Radio City Music Hall construction
- Radio City Music Hall under construction on a plot of land that was originally intended for an opera house. The new venue's chosen name was the International Music Hall. It was built at the same time as the Rockefeller Center, seen in the background and eventually to become one of New York's landmark buildings.
© Getty Images
1 / 30 Fotos
Samuel "Roxy" Rothafel
- Theatrical impresario and entrepreneur Samuel "Roxy" Rothafel (1882–1936) was the man behind the idea to build the theater. He already owned the nearby Roxy Theatre.
© Getty Images
2 / 30 Fotos
Interior design
- The hall was designed by architect Edward Durell Stone (1902–1978) and interior designer Donald Deskey (1894–1989). Stone also designed the city's Museum of Modern Art and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
© Getty Images
3 / 30 Fotos
Name change
- A name change led to the theater being called Radio City Music Hall, named after one of the completed Rockefeller Center's first tenants, the Radio Corporation of America (RCA). Pictured is the brand new building a few days before its official inauguration on Tuesday, December 27, 1932.
© Getty Images
4 / 30 Fotos
Opening night
- Over 6,000 guests were invited to attend the opening night. Among them were some of America's wealthiest and most influential individuals.
© Getty Images
5 / 30 Fotos
Celebrity guests
- A guest of honor was billionaire philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. (1874–1960), the man behind the construction of the Rockefeller Center.
© Getty Images
6 / 30 Fotos
Walter P. Chrysler
- Industrialist and automotive pioneer Walter P. Chrysler (1875–1940) arrives with his wife, Della (pictured on the right).
© Getty Images
7 / 30 Fotos
Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney
- Businessman and financier Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney (1899–1992) seen with second wife, Gwladys, in the theater's lobby during the formal opening.
© Getty Images
8 / 30 Fotos
Opening night show
- Guests are photographed settled in their seats in the capacity-filled theater. The lavish stage show began at 8 pm.
© Getty Images
9 / 30 Fotos
Showtime
- The production included appearances by big-name entertainers of the era, celebrities such as actor and singer Ray Bolger, vaudeville act The Mirthquakers, and dancer Patricia Bowman.
© Getty Images
10 / 30 Fotos
Patricia Bowman
- Acclaimed American ballet dancer Patricia Bowman (1908–1999) in fact became the first prima ballerina at Radio City Music Hall, and was later a founding member of the American Ballet Theatre.
© Getty Images
11 / 30 Fotos
The Rockettes
- The dance troupe most closely associated with Radio City Music Hall is the Rockettes (pictured in the early 1930s). Various incarnations of the dancing group have appeared at the venue since its opening in 1932. They are respected internationally for their precision routines and virtuoso choreography.
© Getty Images
12 / 30 Fotos
Costume room
- The busy costume room at Radio City Music Hall in the mid-1930s, with members of the Rockettes being fitted into their stage outfits.
© Getty Images
13 / 30 Fotos
Financial problems
- As early as 1933, the hall was loosing money. A decision was therefore made to share the stage with Hollywood. Pictured is Radio City Music Hall, seen from the RCA Building on 51st street, in 1936.
© Getty Images
14 / 30 Fotos
'The Bitter Tea of General Yen' (1933)
- The first movie screened at the music hall was 'The Bitter Tea of General Yen,' directed by Frank Capra and starring Barbara Stanwyck and Nils Asther.
© Getty Images
15 / 30 Fotos
'Topaze' (1933)
- The gamble paid off. Furthermore, the venue became the premiere showcase for films from the RKO-Radio Studio, with 'Topaze,' starring John Barrymore and Myrna Loy, the first RKO picture to play there. In all, more than 700 movies opened at Radio City Music Hall before the film-plus-stage-spectacle format was abandoned, with the last picture, 'The Promise,' screened in 1979.
© Getty Images
16 / 30 Fotos
Concert venue
- Throughout the 1970s, Radio City Music Hall provided a stage for some memorable music concerts. Pictured is David Bowie in 1974 during his Diamond Dogs tour.
© Getty Images
17 / 30 Fotos
'Night of 100 Stars'
- In February 1982, Radio City Music Hall hosted one of the most glittering celebrity extravaganzas in its history, the charity fundraiser 'Night of 100 Stars.' Taped for television, the venue was packed with the likes of Liza Minelli, Elizabeth Taylor, Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Paul Newman, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and Princess Grace (in one of her last show business engagements). Pictured assembled for the finale are the stars who participated, including in the front row James Stewart, George Burns, and Orson Welles.
© Getty Images
18 / 30 Fotos
Top New York City music venue
- Radio City Music Hall equals Madison Square Garden as a New York City venue of choice for leading musical artists. Pictured is musician Marvin Gaye on stage during his Sexual Healing tour in 1983.
© Getty Images
19 / 30 Fotos
Prince
- Prince performs on stage at Radio City Music Hall in March 1993.
© Getty Images
20 / 30 Fotos
MTV Video Music Awards
- A host of music stars continued appearing at the music hall. But by the mid-1990s, Radio City started hosting regular television shows. These productions included the glitzy MTV Video Music Awards. Here, Britney Spears, Madonna, and Christina Aguilera sing together during the 2003 edition.
© Getty Images
21 / 30 Fotos
Grammy Awards
- Bob Dylan holds his Grammy Award after winning in the Album of the Year Category at the 40th Grammy Awards at Radio City Music Hall in February 1998.
© Getty Images
22 / 30 Fotos
Tony Awards
- With Broadway's theater district just a few blocks away, it made perfect sense for the music hall to host the annual Tony Awards. Pictured is Australian actor Hugh Jackman performing with members of the Broadway musical 'Hairspray' on stage during the 2004 edition.
© Getty Images
23 / 30 Fotos
NFL Draft
- Radio City Music Hall was the site of the NFL Draft between 2006 and 2014. This is a general view of the stage during the 2007 NFL Draft.
© Getty Images
24 / 30 Fotos
Special events
- Special concerts and events take place regularly at the venue. Pictured is Paul McCartney and former Beatle bandmate Ringo Starr performing for the David Lynch Foundation's Change Begins Within concert, held at the music hall in 2009.
© Getty Images
25 / 30 Fotos
Gala spectaculars
- Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga perform live at Radio City Music Hall in August 2021 during their One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga concert.
© Getty Images
26 / 30 Fotos
Screen time
- While the venue rarely puts on movies today, exceptions are made for events like this, the screening of 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers' with Howard Shore's score performed live and with subtitles for the hard of hearing.
© Getty Images
27 / 30 Fotos
Christmas Spectacular
- The annual Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes remains one of the venue's most popular shows. The highlight is the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers. Since the first version was presented in 1933, the show has become a New York Christmas tradition.
© Getty Images
28 / 30 Fotos
Future plans
- In March 2021, plans were approved to build a rooftop terrace on Radio City Music Hall, but not to the detriment of the building's signature Art Deco design element. Sources: (History) (Madison Square Garden) See also: Live at the Hollywood Bowl!
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
Tune into New York's Radio City Music Hall
The "Showplace of the Nation" opened its doors on December 27, 1932
© Shutterstock
Radio City Music Hall in New York City was inaugurated on December 27, 1932. Originally slated as an opera house, the venue soon became one of the country's most iconic entertainment venues. In fact, it's known as the "Showplace of the Nation," and besides regularly hosting big-name music concerts and television spectaculars, it's one of the Big Apple's most cherished landmarks.
Intrigued? Then click through and tune into New York's Radio City Music Hall.
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