Wednesday, October 19, 2005
The
theatre closed briefly in 1977, but was purchased by Marc
Perkins in 1979 and reopened as a venue for live music, known as
Perkins Palace. From 1979 to 1988, Perkins Palace was one of Los
Angeles top concert venues, presenting such acts as Phil
Collins, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Bryan Adams, Fleetwood
Mac and many more.
In
the early Perkins Palace years, Marc and Jim Perkins managed
Perkins Palace and shows were produced by Marc and Jim Perkins
and Mark Garagos.
From 1982 till the theatre was closed for redevelopment, the
venue was managed by Gina Zamparelli. Shows were produced by
all the top LA promoters including Wolf & Rissmiller, Avalon
Attractions, Zamparelli Productions, Goldenvoice and
Pacificoncerts. The Raymond was also the backdrop for many
movies and music videos and which helped it make it’s mark in
Los Angeles music history.
In
the late 1980s Marc Perkins sold an interest in the theatre and
adjoining parking lot to local Pasadena developers Gene and
Marilyn Buchanan (AJB Enterprises). In 1988 all shows were
canceled, the theatre was closed and slated to be gutted and
converted to an office building. Former theatre manager and
promoter Gina Zamparelli, along with few community members, took
action and formed Friends of the Raymond Theatre, to help
protect The Raymond Theatre from unnecessary redevelopment.
Friends of the Raymond Theatre requested the City of Pasadena
not allow redevelopment of the theatre without first considering
its continued use as a live venue. The City of Pasadena
responded by hiring the firm R.F. McCann & Company Theatre
Architects to complete a two-year study on The Raymond Theatre
to see if retaining the theatre was feasible. Richard McCann
completed a renovation program for the study and Gina Zamparelli
was hired for the financial feasibility analysis.
The study went before the City Council for vote on May
8, 1990.
The Mayor and City Council voted, based on the study
the theatre could operate at a profit and should be retained as
a theatre.
The
Raymond was sold in 1991 to concert promoter Gary Folgner who
produced a successful concert series at the theatre. However,
Folgner recovered the auditorium seats in materials that were
flame-retardant, but did not have the paperwork to prove it.
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