Red Rocks

In 1906, Denver's Pietro Satriano and his 25-piece brass band became the first musical act to perform at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, then christened the Garden of the Titans. Over a century later, Denver is a must-stop for every nationally touring act, and Red Rocks, set deep into the towering red rocks of Morrison, Colorado, is heralded as America's most important outdoor music venue. 

From the Grateful Dead to Willie Nelson, every star in the musical galaxy has aspired to play on this special and magical stage. Red Rocks: The Concert Years presents a comprehensive history of what came to be considered one of the Natural Wonders of the World, thanks to the combination of natural aesthetics and acoustics, as impressive to the eyes as to the ears. 

Colorado Music Experience director and author G. Brown presents over 200 interviews with an array of performers, from the late Jerry Garcia and Dave Matthews to Bono and Paul McCartney, as well as the most detailed accounts to date of the legendary Beatles show in 1964, Bruce Springsteen's first outdoor concert ever in 1978, and U2's career-making 1983 video shoot. 

Richly illustrated, this well-crafted coffee-table book includes hundreds of images from leading photographers in the area, supplemented by historical photos from the libraries of the major daily newspapers, historical societies, and private collections. Foreword by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Carlos Santana. 

Proceeds from book sales benefit the Colorado Music Experience, a nonprofit organization that educates the public on everything that's great about the state's music.