Red Rocks 85th Anniversary

Red Rocks has been a bucket list venue for me for years, finally got there in May no recognizable names at that time of year so we picked LSDreams thinking it would be a great light show at least.. we are in or 60’s and did not know what to expect… what a BLAST!…imagine our surprise memory of a lifetime… RED ROCKS ROCKED!!

I was 19 when I left home in northern Michigan and moved to Summit Co. with buddies in ’84. That summer we saw Dio at Red Rocks. It was raining that evening, stage hands were squeegeeing the stage, the show went on. But as the rain moved east, and the sun was setting behind us, a rainbow appeared over the city and prairie. A Rainbow in the Dark (well, just before dusk) at a Dio show at Red Rocks. It doesn’t get much more epic than that.

The first time at Red Rocks was for U2 in 1983…the legendary show. That’s the good news. The bad news…I was working and was only there because of the rain and cold weather (they were ready to cancel.) I had never heard of U2 so I didn’t stay for the concert! Oh well! Two night later my first concert was Tom Petty. We arrived at about 2pm, brought in a picnic and beers, and baked in the sun until the concert. Breakdown, American Girl, Don’t Do Me Like That! Great memories.

It was 1971 or 72, Jethro Tull was playing. Myself and two friends were there but we didn’t have a ticket so we, along with a couple hundred people were sitting on the hill up and behind the theater. There were police on horseback and someone threw a rock at one of the horses and a riot ensued.

In 2025 I managed to combine three dreams in one; finally seeing Something Corporate live after 20+ years, attending my first gig outside the UK, and doing it all at Red Rocks. An absolutely incredible experience.

My favorite memory was the torrential rain during Deadrocks 10, immediately followed by Zeds Dead’s song “Sweet Memories,” which goes, “I can’t stand the rain against my window.” I started crying because it just felt so spiritual. We were all right where we were supposed to be!

The Arcade Fire and LCD Soundsystem Show. It followed the first year of an incredible lineup at the Monolith Festival. We fell in love with that venue and hope to visit again very soon.

In 1968 Aretha Franklin walked off the stage after her revue played for two hours, saying, “The man didn’t pay me my money.” She deserved “Respect” with her rising fame. She’s got soul. I was sitting with my tall blonde steady in the fifteenth row as bottles started flying over our heads. I’d like to protect her but she digs the chaos. The crowd torches the piano onstage and the brush around the park. I learn to love this story even though I didn’t hear Aretha sing.

My best friend and I road tripped to see Flume at Red Rocks. Flume has been a huge part of my life and a soundtrack so many fond memories. Getting to experience his discography at one of the world’s most unique and iconic venues is a memory that I will cherish with every fiber of my being for the rest of my life. I sincerely hope that everyone who wants to has a chance to experience one of their favorite artists at Red Rocks, and I very much look forward to my next visit. Thank you for existing <3

Seeing a shooting star go over Ship Rock while Weyes Blood opened for The Strokes in 2023

Seeing a show at Red Rocks has been on our bucket list for as long as I can remember. So, when we realized James Taylor was playing on June 3, 2024—our 16th wedding anniversary—we knew we just had to go. Sitting out there under a completely clear, starry night sky with those massive red rocks all around us was pure magic. James Taylor and his All-Star Band sounded incredible. We spent the night holding hands, listening to music we love, and just soaking it all in. It was the absolute perfect way to celebrate 16 years together, and it’s a night we’re going to hold onto forever.

Mastodon and Lamb of God were absolutely epic a few years back. Incredible performance of complete albums by both bands. Toss in a few amazing encores combined with the first concert attended with my wife, it made for an unbelievable experience. Red Rocks is pure magic.

The year was 1989, and Stevie Ray Vaughn was playing on the Rocks in August. During that show he laid down as sweet a rendition of ‘Tin Pan Alley’ as I’ve ever heard! Purple Lights were reflecting from a mirrored ball and magically floating throughout the venue.
I’ll never forget that show … and particularly the feeling that I had during his exceptional performance of that song. Thank you for the memory Stevie – and Thank you Red Rocks for providing us with the Best Concert Venue on the Planet.

If I had to choose one favorite experience, however, it would be the first time I saw RÜFÜS DU SOL at Red Rocks in 2022. I’ve seen them five times since then, but nothing has ever compared to that first night. The combination of their music, the towering red rocks, the cool mountain air, and thousands of people sharing the same moment created an atmosphere that felt almost transcendent. It wasn’t simply a concert; it was an experience that seemed to blur the line between music, nature, and pure joy.

Saw Bruce Springsteen in ‘81 or ‘82. Got there early for good seats and it started to rain. When Bruce came out he did the song “who’ll stop the rain” by CCR and the rain stopped and a full moon came out. Magical!!

I live outside of Boston, MA, but the only place I wanted to be for my 60th birthday was at Yoga on the Rocks. I had never done it, and it was the PERFECT way to celebrate. I had been dreading turning the big 6-0, but being at Red Rocks at 6 am made my day. It was life changing. I will never forget the experience. I hope to celebrate many more decades on the Rocks at sunrise.