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Valley Music Theatre To Be Demolished
The Valley Music Theater, designed by Hawkins and Lindsey, Architects, 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 (where it is rumored that Michael Jackson worshipped before the beginning of his legal troubles -- but that's another story).
By 2004, the Jehovah's Witnesses outgrew the site, and without any public notice, 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.
Sadly, the current density, demographics, technological and mass transit developments of the recent past would likely ensure success for a venue such as the Valley Music Theater were it to re-open today.
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.
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