In the heart of Los Angeles, set within the tree-enclosed area of Griffith Park, the award-winning Greek Theatre is the sought-after host to dozens and dozens of live music concerts each year. Touted as one of Los Angeles's most historic venues, big names in Pop, Reggae, Rock, Classical, and everything in between can be found performing in the Greek Theatre. The season leading up to 2008, for instance, has featured Sting, the Who, Marc Anthony, Tina Turner, Paul McCartney, Alicia Keyes, Santana, and many more of the highest rated musical performers.



The history of the Greek Theatre dates back to the 1880s, when gold miner and Los Angeles benefactor Griffith J. Griffith donated three thousand acres of his Los Feliz Rancho property to the Los Angeles city council. After unsuccessfully proposing the construction of an observatory for the newly minted Griffith Park ? due to the council's inability to comply with his wishes ? Griffith stipulated in his will that $1,000,000 be donated to the council for the construction of both and observatory and the Greek Theatre itself. The building was officially dedicated as completed on September 29, 1930, with performances of the finest classical, Indian, and contemporary music, accompanied by a performance from the ancient drama Oedipus Rex.

During the 1930s and 1940s the Greek Theatre was used only sparingly due to adverse circumstances facing the country at large. The big break for the theatre came in the 1970s, when the James M. Nederlander Companies, who owned dozens of similar venues nationwide, upgraded and fully equipped the theatre for up-to-date performance needs. The venue was also included in the company's nationwide network, which has ever since helped it attract the most well-known performers in the country.

The Greek Theatre has also served as a picturesque graduation location for countless high schools, as well as having been incorporated as a backdrop in a number of major motion pictures.