Courtesy of the Denver Public Library/Western History Photo Archives Although there are no images or sound recordings, we know Pietro was an Italian immigrant, accomplished bandleader and Denver musician who specialized in classical and ragtime music. This event, the first officially documented concert at Red Rocks, featured Pietro Satriano and his 25 piece brass band. John Brisben Walker built a temporary stage platform and organized the first concert at Red Rocks on to celebrate The Grand Opening of The Garden of The Titans. We know very little about the early musicians who performed at Red Rocks besides their fortitude. I can see them in my mind singing, dancing and drumming in a magnificent fashion as their music reverberates up the mountain. There have been a few items found in nearby areas of the park proving the Utes were there and I can’t imagine them not exploring the monoliths. Nearly all evidence of the Ute presence at Red Rocks was lost because Native American artifacts were not considered special or valuable during construction. Not being very experienced in advanced research, I have found only a few details of the early years at Red Rocks. I’m amazed that a Colorado historian has not explored this fascinating subject in depth. Sadly, there is not much information about the early concerts at Red Rocks. They must have had a true love of music to dedicate so much time and risk more than their lives to arrive in this sacred place and perform.Ĭourtesy of the Denver Public Library Photo Archives. They braved the elements, risked personal harm and property damage, and spent countless hours traveling by horseback, carriage, wagon or even on foot to arrive at this destination. They had no protection or scientific prediction of weather events, and lightning storms roll in quickly and deadly in the Rockies. They did not have vehicles or paved roads to transport them and their instruments to the park. ![]() Over the years, this magical spot has hosted thousands of musical acts but we must take special notice of the troubadours of old. In correspondence with that, the massive stone giants manage to hug the sound adding an organic warmth and reverb that makes music even more pleasing to the ears. The monoliths act as a natural amplification system, projecting the music up the mountainside. It didn’t take a modern mind to appreciate the amazing natural acoustics of Red Rocks. ![]() Or we could take a trip to the late 1800’s and likely find a few brave musical souls singing or playing string instruments on Stage Rock. If we had a time machine, we could go back hundreds of years and likely find the Ute Indians in the area now known as Red Rocks Amphitheatre performing their tribal songs. Red Rocks Amphitheater, pre-construction.
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