September 26th, 1975 the film world was forever changed with the release of Rocky Horror Picture Show. 50 years later, this global phenomenon can still be seen in theaters and has long been a cult classic. The origins go back to 1973 as a musical in London, England named Rocky Horror Show, starring none other than acting legend Tim Curry. Several other of the original actors/actresses would reprise their roles in the film as well. Roxy founder and all star music producer Lou Adler brought the show to the Roxy Theater in West Hollywood, CA for a year. In London, attendees included the royal family and numerous celebrities and musicians between the shows in London and the Roxy.
The musical has been revived several times since 1990 including the 35th, 40th, and now the 50th anniversary. At the GRAMMY Museum in Downtown Los Angeles, CA on October 15th, Curry, Adler, David Foster, and David Gorman gathered for a special Q&A with NOFX’s Fat Mike. Following a montage of the musical numbers from the film and credits, Fat Mike gave an introduction of how he grew up watching the movie and how it changed his life. Curry first came on the stage in the Clive Davis theater, which holds just 200 seats. Three days earlier, Curry was at Son Of Monsterpalooza in Burbank for photo-op’s with fans. The Q&A began with just Fat Mike and Curry. Curry had the whole room laughing over and over with stories about attending the GRAMMYs and sitting with John Lennon and David Bowie and members of the royal family attending the musical. Curry would also talk about Mick and Bianca Jagger attending one of the Roxy performances. Adler was the next guest to be brought up. Adler not only brought the show to the U.S., but also was the co-producer of the film.
Adler introduced Foster as a young Canadian who didn’t have a green card and at the age of 25 was the pianist for the Roxy production. Foster would go on to be one of the biggest songwriters and record producers as a 17x winner and over 30 additional nominations. The three of them discussed what it was like performing there as well as the entrance Curry would make each night which amazed Adler every time. Gorman, who joined after Foster, is responsible for the packaging for the special 50th anniversary re-release of the soundtrack. The Q&A ended with audience questions and personal stories including one audience member that had met Curry and was given life changing advice as well as an old neighbors of the Currys when he lived in N.Y.C.
Two weeks before the GRAMMY Museum event was another very special celebration. During the anniversary weekend of the film, Curry, Barry Bostwick, Nell Campbell, and Patricia Quinn all came together to celebrate the 50th anniversary with a series of special events at the Roxy. Campbell was the original Columbia in the musical and film and Quinn was the original Magenta in both as well. All four gathered for a Q&A with Entertainment Weekly as well on their YouTube Channel sharing memories of the film.
Photos by Alex Kluft
