Shrine Auditorium Home To The Grammy Awards, The MTV Music Awards & The Emmy Awards

When it was built by the Shriners back in 1906 (and rebuilt in 1920 after a fire) the world-famous Shrine Auditorium was the largest indoor auditorium in the world, with almost 6,500 seats. It is still the largest such theater in America, and that sheer size is what has made the Shrine the preferred venue for Hollywood’s most important awards shows.

The Academy Awards show was first presented at the Shrine back in 1947.

The annual Emmy Awards show recently moved to the Shrine, abandoning their longtime relationship with the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in favor of the Shrine’s 6,500 seats.

Over the years the Shrine has also hosted a variety of other dazzling award shows, including the Grammy Awards, the MTV Music Awards, the American Music Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the Soul Train Music Awards, the American Comedy Awards, and others.

Years ago, Michael Jackson was filming a Pepsi commercial on stage here at the Shrine when his hair caught on fire, sending him to the hospital. Many people think this is the moment that contributed to his addiction to pain medicine and eventual death.

The Grateful Dead played a memorable concert here in 1967. The Velvet Underground, Butterfield Blues Band and Sly & The Family Stone performed here in 1968. Sting did a TV spot there, and Bruce Springsteen appeared there in 1995.

Notable Concerts Played At Shrine Auditorium:

2/1/2022 – Björk
9/21/2019 – Lenny Kravitz
5/16/2019 – Garbage
10/22/2018 – KISS
8/25/20418 – David Byrne
10/29/2016 – Tenacious D
8/8/2016 – Radiohead
6/16/2016 – Bob Dylan
4/29/2016 – DEVO
1/16/2016 – Van Morrison
11/19/2014 – Culture Club
7/11/2014 – Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
10/12/2013 – Pet Shop Boys
6/26/2016 – Robert Plant
2/12/2009 – Stevie Wonder
12/1/2004 – Velvet Revolver
2/24/2004 – Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/2/2004 – David Bowie
5/28/1976 – The Tubes
5/27/1976 – Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/22/1976 – Peter Frampton
6/24/1975 – Genesis
12/31/1974 – Eagles
6/19/1974 – King Crimson
6/15/1974 – 10cc
5/23/1974 – Foghat
9/29/1972 – Cat Stevens
5/16/1997 – Depeche Mode
7/10/1970 – B.B. King
6/6/1968 – The Everly Brothers
3/30/1968 – Traffic
3/16/1968 -Cream
7/19/1967 – Iron Butterfly
10/15/1957 – Fats Domino
6/8/1956 – Elvis Presley

Shrine Auditorium
665 W. Jefferson Boulevard
Los Angeles CA 90007