Red Rocks 85th Anniversary

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.

Burning Spear headlined the 1996 Reggae on the Rocks. That whole day was magical, the epitome of the love and togetherness that can only be found at Red Rocks. Burning Spear took the vibe to another level, I’ve been chasing that energy ever since. In fact, I attended the next 10 RORX shows, driving from Iowa, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah and New Mexico for many of them.

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!

Dancing on the stage with 1800 friends for Daybreaker’s 1000th event while Justin Jay had us all jumping in sync. Peak joy.

My wife was out of town for a week and told me not to be a lump while she was gone. She suggested I go to Red Rocks on the weekend and walk the bleachers. I did. I saw a group of people exercising and thought it looked like fun. Maybe I could join them sometime, I thought. When I got home, I searched the internet to figure out who the group was. I saw that they were a free group that meets every Sunday, and I decided to give them a try. That was eleven years ago, and I’ve hardly missed a Sunday since.

First time at Red Rocks, we saw Mt. Joy perform in 2024. It was August 9 and my birthday! The next morning we woke up and did Yoga on the Rocks. Truly an amazing 24 hours at Red Rocks!

My parents’ first date was a Red Rocks concert in the summer of 1948. I found the program from that Glenn Miller band concert among my mother’s treasures after she passed. They obviously hit it off, as they were married in 1950 and were married for 58 years.

Many amazing concerts here…the best was continuing the experience with my 13 year old son to see his first concert, Imagine Dragons, in the summer of 2018! So rewarding to witness him respond to the music and the incredible venue that we’re so lucky to have in our backyard.

My husband Edward and I had our first visit to Red Rocks in April of this year. We saw Ice Cube and we had an amazing time! Red Rocks is absolutely beautiful and we will be back in October to see Cypress Hill.