If you have heard Neil Diamond's live 1972 concert album, "Hot August Night," then you are familiar with the Greek Theatre. 

In the recording, a young Neil Diamond says calls the Greek Theatre:

"The place that God made for performers when they die... it's a performer's paradise. Take a look behind you, and see what I'm seeing... the trees & the sky... beautiful..." 

He talks to the "tree people" (people sitting up in the trees around the amphitheatre, trying to get a free look at the concert) and tells them: "I'm singing for you too!" (Click here to hear him.)

This outstanding outdoor theatre, nestled in the forested hills of L.A.'s Griffith Park (below the Observatory), seats 6,162 people under the stars, and the sounds of chirping crickets mixing with the cool summer night air. Which makes it one of the largest venues in L.A.

Built back in 1930, the Greek has played host to some of the biggest names in show biz. In the last few years, the Greek Theatre's line-up has included Frank Sinatra, Elton John, Natalie Cole, Ringo Starr, Olivia Newton-John, Jackson Browne, Crosby Stills & Nash, Bonnie Raitt, Vince Gill, Hootie & The Blowfish, James Brown, The Band, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Chicago, Richard Marx, Bryan Adams, ZZ Top, John Tesh, Roger Daltrey, Indigo Girls, Boz Skaggs, Hall & Oates, Anne Murray, Dan Fogelberg, Peter Paul & Mary, Harry Belafonte, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ted Nugent, Al Jarreau, Roberta Flack, Emerson Lake & Palmer, the Steve Miller Band, Kenny Loggins, Eddie Money, Traffic, Seal, Englebert Humperdinck, Styx, Air Supply, Johnny Cash and more.

Because it's an outdoor theater, The Greek's season runs only from May through October (with a few other shows scheduled during other months).

Ticket prices range from $130 to $20, with average tickets going for around $45. And parking can add even more: their reserved "QuickPark" service is a flat $40. (Regular stacked parking is $10.)
 

Getting there: The Greek Theatre is located in the hills of Griffith Park, just east of the Griffith Park Observatory. / From Hollywood & Vine, take Hollywood Boulevard east (about one mile) to Western Avenue. Turn left (north) on Western, and follow it as it curves to the northeast (and is renamed Los Feliz Boulevard). Go another mile and a half on Los Feliz to Vermont Avenue, then turn left (north) on Vermont, and follow its weaving path into the hills of Griffith Park (about a mile) to the Greek Theatre - which will be on your left (west) side.