The Roxy Theatre, or more commonly called as The Roxy, is one of the most popular rock nightclubs in California. While it’s largely known as a nightclub where various rock bands perform, The Roxy Theatre is also a venue for music performances of different genres. There used to be a strip club where where The Roxy Theatre now resides, until Lou Adler, Elmer Valentine, and other business partners bought the spot and turned it into a rock nightclub.
The Roxy Theatre was also the venue for the first American run of the stage play The Rocky Horror Show, which was then turned into a movie the following year entitled The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Stand-up comedians and other comedy acts also perform at The Roxy Theatre. Paul Reubens first introduced his Pee Wee Herman character at The Roxy, back when he was still struggling to be a Hollywood comedian.
Some people claim that The Roxy Theatre became wildly popular because it was the last club where actor-comedian-musician John Belushi partied before he died of cocaine and heroin overdose. However, most people still believe that The Roxy Theatre earned its own popularity through the numerous bands and acts that have performed there even before they became famous in their respective industries. Bands and acts like Pearl Jam, Guns N’ Roses’, Miles Davis and Jane’s Addiction performed at The Roxy Theatre before they went on to become successful musical acts.
For after-hours private parties and gatherings, The Roxy Theatre also features a bar called On the Rox, which is located just above the club. On the Rox was also a regular hangout for celebrities like Alice Cooper, Harry Nilsson, and John Lennon, during the latter’s stay in New York back in 1975. Other famous acts that have performed at The Roxy Theatre include Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, Tori Amos, Foo Fighters, Nirvana, and Bruce Springsteen.
Today, The Roxy Theatre still remains as a hotspot for various band performances and comedy acts. It’s the ideal nightclub to go to if you want to listen to live bands or to just chill out to a DJ’s music at On the Rox. The Roxy Theatre is located at 9009 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, California.