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Who owned it?, What it was used for before it was an assembly hall?, Who owns it now?

2006-08-29 11:01:10 · 1 answers · asked by Norman L 1 in Local Businesses United States Los Angeles

1 answers

http://www.valleymodern.com/news/news_articles.php?article=12091

The Valley Music Theater, designed by Richard Wheeler & Associates/Charles Luckman & Associates, was host to many legendary R&B and rock bands including Ray Charles, the Doors, Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds, Ike & Tina Turner, Peter, Paul & Mary, BB King, Lou Rawls, Three Dog Night, Jim Croce & the Spiral Staircase, among others. Sammy Davis Jr., Johnny Carson, Don Rickles & Woody Allen also performed in the futuristic domed structure.

The Valley Music Theatre was also a boxing venue, where top boxing matches were screened via closed circuit to sold out crowds.

Located at 20600 Ventura Blvd. in Woodland Hills, the venue was originally envisioned as a theater in the round. With backing by Hollywood celebrities, most notably Bob Hope, it opened with some fanfare in 1964 with a production of "The Sound of Music".

However, despite its initial successes, it fell into hard times. Financial difficulties forced its sale and in the 1970's it became a Jehovah's Witness Assembly Hall.

By 2004, the Jehovah's Witnesses outgrew the site, and the venue was sold to a private developer who has imminent plans to demolish the landmark to make way for additional high density housing and retail.

The structure consists of a large rear dome, in front of which is a quarter dome with massive glass front panels. It is situated at the top of a knoll and in passing, looks like a giant eye, opening. Construction of the domes was achieved by pouring concrete over massive mounds and excavating the dirt beneath.

2006-08-30 08:52:37 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 0 0

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