In the early 80’s I worked as an usher manager at the Beverly during the very exciting time of live music shows, which was unfortunately short-lived and not very well documented. I have incredible memories and I think the importance of this period of the theater’s incarnation has been under reported. Luckily I kept a journal in 1983 so here are some of the highlights: BB King with James Brown (many times), Beetlemania, The Cure, INXS, Depeche Mode, Simple Minds, The Motels, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Wall of Voodoo, Berlin (incredible New Years Eve show), The Stranglers, REM, Ratt, Meatloaf, the now defunct Los Angeles Ballet (which I loved), Dionne Warwick, Lee Ritenour, Sylvie Vartan, Chaka Kahn, George Clinton & the P-Funk Allstars (from which there is a live album), Stephan Grapelli, Chic Corea with Paco De Lucia, Aretha Franklyn, The Temptations and the 4 Tops, Michael Bolton, Hiroshima, Stephan Stills, Adrian Belew, The Isley Brothers, Peoboe Bryson, Quarterflash, George Winston, Tom Scott and Frankie Valli to name a few. Jerry Garcia played several times and brought with him his colorful Dead fans that provided an ironic contrast with the elegant Art Deco surroundings. DEVO filmed a video there over several days for which I was a grateful witness. During one BB King concert both Prince and Michael Jackson jumped on stage with him and performed an unforgettable impromptu set. As I recall, Walter Matthau would walk down from his house up the street on a regular basis and give the boys pointers on changing the marquis. I remember a somewhat inebriated Tom Petty being thrown out for punching someone. This was a magical time for me and I’d love it if other people from that time would find this board and post their memories. I know I’ve missed some show because I cannot find my 1982 journal. Jay, Steve, Oliver, Wally, Bill, Karen, and the rest of us, you know who you are.
Deborah Palmer
In the early 80’s I worked as an usher manager at the Beverly during the very exciting time of live music shows, which was unfortunately short-lived and not very well documented. I have incredible memories and I think the importance of this period of the theater’s incarnation has been under reported. Luckily I kept a journal in 1983 so here are some of the highlights: BB King with James Brown (many times), Beetlemania, The Cure, INXS, Depeche Mode, Simple Minds, The Motels, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Wall of Voodoo, Berlin (incredible New Years Eve show), The Stranglers, REM, Ratt, Meatloaf, the now defunct Los Angeles Ballet (which I loved), Dionne Warwick, Lee Ritenour, Sylvie Vartan, Chaka Kahn, George Clinton & the P-Funk Allstars (from which there is a live album), Stephan Grapelli, Chic Corea with Paco De Lucia, Aretha Franklyn, The Temptations and the 4 Tops, Michael Bolton, Hiroshima, Stephan Stills, Adrian Belew, The Isley Brothers, Peoboe Bryson, Quarterflash, George Winston, Tom Scott and Frankie Valli to name a few. Jerry Garcia played several times and brought with him his colorful Dead fans that provided an ironic contrast with the elegant Art Deco surroundings. DEVO filmed a video there over several days for which I was a grateful witness. During one BB King concert both Prince and Michael Jackson jumped on stage with him and performed an unforgettable impromptu set. As I recall, Walter Matthau would walk down from his house up the street on a regular basis and give the boys pointers on changing the marquis. I remember a somewhat inebriated Tom Petty being thrown out for punching someone. This was a magical time for me and I’d love it if other people from that time would find this board and post their memories. I know I’ve missed some show because I cannot find my 1982 journal. Jay, Steve, Oliver, Wally, Bill, Karen, and the rest of us, you know who you are.
Deborah Palmer