The GRAMMY Museum, which opened in 2008 at L.A. LIVE, is a must for any music lover. Interactive exhibits allow you to explore music of all genres, the collection of music-industry artifacts and memorabilia is truly fascinating, and there's always a wonderful current exhibition to capture your imagination. And, it's the perfect time to visit thanks to BOGO admission offered through April 30, 2011, as part of Discover the Arts in LA.
With plenty of big-name venues — including STAPLES Center, Club NOKIA and Hollywood Palladium, GRAMMY-nominated artists frequently grace LA stages. Catch Lady Gaga March 28 at STAPLES Center or B.o.B. Feb. 12 at Club NOKIA, and check out our roundup of the season's hottest concerts.
Immerse yourself in rock 'n' roll history — and fill up on great food while you're at it — at the Hard Rock Cafe. The nation's first Hard Rock Cafe opened in LA in 1982, and today there are two iconic outposts. Check out regular performances from emerging artists at the brand-new cafe that opened in 2010 in a prime Hollywood Blvd. spot, just steps from Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And you won't be able to miss the giant Fender guitar that marks the entrance to the Universal Citywalk location.
Sunset Boulevard's clubs served as home base for some of rock's most famous bands — including six-time GRAMMY winners The Eagles — and still host lauded local and national acts. Cruise Sunset and see the famous Viper Room, Whisky a Go Go, the Roxy, and the House of Blues, whose Sunday Gospel Brunch is not to be missed. Check out our timeline of LA's rock 'n' roll history for an in-depth walk down LA's musical memory lane.
No GRAMMY-inspired tour of LA is complete without seeing Hollywood's iconic Capitol Records Building. The world’s first circular office building was built in 1956 and was designed to look like a stack of 45 rpm records. No public tours are available, but the exterior is the real star anyway — be sure to check out the mural on the south side of the building that pays homage to Capitol stars, including Nat King Cole and Billie Holiday, both GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award winners. The label is as relevant as ever today — Capitol artist Katy Perry is nominated for four GRAMMYs, including Album of the Year.
