Red Rocks Hall of Fame

Carved from a corona of enormous, terracotta-colored sandstone fins, Red Rocks Amphitheater isn’t just the best-known stage in Colorado; it’s one of the most iconic in the entire United States. Over the last century, the venue’s open-air scenery and sound-on-stone acoustics have drawn legendary artists from all over the world. But you don’t have to just stand on the stepped stone bleachers and imagine all that history—you can see it for yourself at the tiny but intricate museum tucked into the Red Rocks Visitor Center. 

Established in 2003, the Red Rocks Hall and Hall of Fame occupies a long, arching hallway. The bulk of the exhibit is a navigable timeline that extends from the amphitheater’s first known performance (a 25-piece brass band that played in 1906) to its more recent concerts. In fact, every single show ever played at Red Rocks has been documented in this single, packed corridor. Along the way, you’ll find signed instruments from the likes of James Taylor and memorabilia from other big names, including Carlos Santana and the Foo Fighters. 

The cornerstone of the exhibit is the Red Rocks Hall of Fame proper: a sweeping wall gridded with photos and plaques. The descriptions detail each artist’s legacy, as well as the grounds upon which they received their nomination. John Denver seemingly earned his spot through sheer loyalty: He played the stage 16 times over the course of his career. U2, on the other hand, visited Red Rocks only once but earned points for tenacity. The band refused to stop playing, despite getting hammered by rain and hail.

Elsewhere, old posters, flyers, and signed photographs plaster the walls, making the place feel like a cross between a grungy underground bar and a bonafide museum hall—a delightful mix of grassroots grit and curated music education.