It was not your typical Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl. A sell-out crowd packed every seat to hear a two-hour set by iconic rock band Journey. The mega group was also inducted to the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. It’s a prestigious roster with everyone from the Malibu’s Raitt family to Stevie Wonder to Santana and even the Smothers Brothers.
The evening opened with a chic VIP cocktail bash. Guests reminisced about their favorite Journey tunes while nibbling on summer flavors, including gazpacho soup, braised short ribs, crab cakes and pork belly.
As the sun began to set, they made their way to their boxes, which were topped with terracotta colored tablecloths and festooned with vibrant purple Vanda orchids, bright pink roses, protea and calla lilies.
Patina’s celeb chef Joachim Splichal was in charge of the menu. With military precision, the wait staff came pouring in, toting a summer berry salad with wild arugula and Camembert Chantilly. The yummy appetizer was followed up with a deconstructed chicken potpie and topped off by tres leches cake and apricot crostata with citrus yogurt ice cream and mint leaves.
The festivities began with a taste of Peter Boyer’s “Silver Fanfare,” which played with unforgettable Hall of Fame moments on the wide screen.
Next, it was time to greet a well-known local face. Danny DeVito took the stage and grabbed a chair. He removed his shoes and, facing the audience, he put his leg high up in the air and instead of a selfie, he took a “footsie” of his toes dangling before the packed house.
After the fun and games, Danny spoke of the importance of music education and introduced the talented members of the Phil’s youth orchestra, called YOLA, who appeared with the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Choir for added punch. The young musicians had an opportunity of a lifetime and performed with Journey for the first half of the concert.
Together they delighted the crowd with Journey favorites, including “Only the Young” followed by the hit “Faithfully” and “Lights.”
But the band was just warming up. They returned to take the stage with Conductor Thomas Wilkins and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra for another full set. They got things started with “Be Good to Yourself” followed by “Open the Door” and “City of Hope.” The hit “Open Arms” had fans swaying in their seats, with hundreds flicking their Bic lighters that lit up the dark sky like dancing fireflies. The crowd rocked out to “Wheel in the Sky” and a rousing rendition of “Anyway you Want It,” complete with a fireworks display.
Journey said farewell, but the crowd wasn’t about to leave until they heard the most downloaded song of all time. You better believe it as “Don’t Stop Believin’” rocked the house. Then there were more fireworks to come, adding up to rock and roll memories that will last a lifetime.
The event raised a record $1.6 million. Now that’s something to sing about!