L.A.’s Greek Theater reopens to celebrate its belated 90th birthday with Joe Bonamassa – Press Telegram – California News Times

Twenty years ago, blues guitarist and singer-songwriter Joe Bonamassa was a struggling musician who stopped by his apartment near the corner of Loss Ferris Boulevard and Vermont Avenue and rang in the middle of a rock band tour bus. I was watching. Greek theater.

The Greeks remain symbolic, but other things change. Bonamassa will headline the venue on Sunday, August 1st to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the start of the 2021 season.

“My career wasn’t where the Greeks were standing at the table, but I was like,’Man, I’ll be one of them someday,’” Bonamassa said on a recent phone call. An interview that recalled his early days. He played the venue several times and filmed the Grammy-nominated live CD / DVD “Jo Bonamassa: Live at the Greek Theater” during the 2015 concert. Some of the footage of the performance can also be seen in last year’s documentary “Guitarman,” which recorded Bonamassa’s life and career.

“I remember playing the guitar too loud and bringing a broom to the ceiling of the apartment.” Hey, stop it! “He recalled. “But now, when I stand on that stage just half a mile away, I shoot four guitar amps on the hill as loud as I like. It’s pretty cool.”

Greek promoters were ready and ready to commemorate the 90th season of 2020, but the festival was canceled due to a pandemic of the coronavirus. One of the region’s most beloved outdoor concert venues, it hosts nights with the following artists: Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elton John, Ringo starr, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Diamond. Today, modern superstars still make a visit in Greece a priority for domestic tours, including: Billie Eilish, Maroon 5, Chris Stapleton, Lukecoms, Kacey Musgraves, Harry Styles and Heim.

AP Diaz, executive officer of the Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Department, which runs the city-owned venue, says the intimacy and atmosphere of the 5,900-seat amphitheater returns each year, even in the industry’s largest name. .. Recent telephone interview.

“When I’m in Greece, I can’t see the city lights, I can’t see any buildings, I’m just surrounded by trees and stars,” he said. “Especially on the highways and in Los Angeles, where there are so many people, there’s something strange about it. I’m watching a show outdoors and there’s no competing noise. The sound is very high on that hill. It is well placed and the stage is well designed. “

It’s hard to say exactly who played the most there, as the venue has been rented to various promoters of the concert over the years, but Diaz and other venue enthusiasts are based in Long Beach. The war of the fan clock band to do is probably most performances. Gipsy Kings, Neil Diamond and Chicago have also been on the Greek stage many times.

“As you know, I’ve never counted, but I feel like I played there more than anyone else,” war frontman and multi-instrumentalist Ronny Jordan laughed in a recent telephone interview. Said while saying. “We’ve played a lot there and are always packing our house.”

This year the war is back and he is leading the Latin Legend showcase on October 9th with Brentonwood, Pancho Sanchez, Joe Bataan and more. For songs such as “Summer”, “Spill the Wine”, “Why Can’t We Be Friends”, “Low Rider”.

“We like concerts under the stars,” he said. “It’s a nice atmosphere and we love it [the Greek].. Fans, I come out every time and see the same smile. It’s amazing that people come over and over again to share with us the atmosphere and the songs that are the soundtrack to our lives. We celebrate together every time we play there. “

Greeks who have appeared on television, movies and commercials such as the 1963 musical “Bye Bye Birdie”, the 2010 comedy “Get Him to the Greek Rockstar” and the 2018 award-winning “A Star Is Born” No signs are shown. According to Diaz, it will stop.

“These places are just such eternal treasures,” Diaz said of Greece and the Griffith Observatory. “I don’t think anyone could have imagined that this would be so great for future generations.”