Let's take a look at the history of the early Palm Springs music scene. We not only had many popular stages and dinner theaters, but also a personal connection to some of the most famous early music stars from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.
Chi Chi Starlite Room. Credit: Palm Springs Historical Society
The Starlite Room: Where the Palm Springs Music Scene Found Its Spark
The Palm Springs music scene started to take off with the Starlite Room. Opening night in October 1950 found every available seat at the Starlite Room occupied by patrons eager to see and hear Desi Arnaz, the "King of the Rhumba,” as he performed his Cuban music and songs. The customers applauded for more after each of his two performances.
The very popular Peggy Lee performed at the Starlite Room in March of 1954. She was discovered in Palm Springs. She had been struggling for “that chance” when an engagement at the popular Doll House offered itself (a popular Palm Springs restaurant). While there, competing with the clatter of dishes, she sang so low and sweetly that the patrons stopped talking, and waiters stopped rattling cups and dishes. Her “soft-as-silk" singing style attracted the attention of Frank Bering, owner of Chicago’s Ambassador West hotel, and Peggy was soon headed east to begin her career.
Nat King Cole opened Chi Chi at the Starlite Room on January 4, 1956, supported by an all-star show. Reservations had begun even before the public announcement of his appearance. The top recording artist in the country already had so many hits to his credit. Among them were “Nature Boy" and “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing.”
Credit: Palm Springs Life archives
Nature Boy has ties to Palm Springs.
The author was eden ahbez (who insisted his name not be capitalized), a frequent visitor to Palm Springs and an acquaintance of William Pester, a well-known fixture in town living in the Indian Canyons. Pester was called the hermit of Palm Springs, and they shared a common lifestyle philosophy that we might think of as the original hippie. Many believe that “Nature Boy” was written about, or certainly inspired by, William Pester. In 1947, ahbez composed “Nature Boy,” having set one of his poems to music. Cole ended up with the tune through his manager and began including it in his live performances, and later recorded it.
Liberace performed in January 1957 and later teamed up with Jane Powell for a performance in March 1958. Jane Powell is an American actress, singer, and dancer who rose to fame in the mid-1940s with roles in various Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musicals. (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) Liberace would later move to Palm Springs, where he would remain until his death.
The headliners included the Mills Brothers, Patti Page, Ethel Waters, Della Reese, and so many more.
Purple Room
Opened in September 1961, the Governor Pat Brown, then Governor of California, was on hand to cut the ribbon. Palm Springs Mayor Frank Bogart assisted the Governor and several Senators with the ribbon-cutting ceremony. There were no movie stars in The Purple Room on opening night, but they came later. All of them, Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Bing Crosby, President Eisenhower, Richard Nixon (before he was president), and many Senators and Congressmen. This became one of Palm Springs swankiest dinner clubs with live music nightly, and helped build the growing Palm Springs music scene. It was also the place where Frank Sinatra proposed to Barbara Marx.
Today, the Purple Room Supper Club honors that legacy by blending nostalgic elegance with contemporary flair. Guests are transported to a time when tuxedos, martinis, and smooth jazz set the tone for unforgettable nights out.
Plaza Theater
The 850 Plaza Theater opened in 1936 with the world premiere of Camille, with Greta Garbo as the leading actress. Allan Jones, the great singer of Show Boat, entertained with a song. While it was primarily built to show films, it also featured a large stage for performances. Frank Sinatra often performed at the Palm Springs Plaza Theater. In June 1944, he did a weekly broadcast from the stage of the Plaza Theater. That September, he sang at a crowded theater with Joan Blondell and a large band. Bing Crosby, his guests, Dinah Shore, Bill Boyd (Hopalong Cassidy), Happy Peters, and all of Bing’s cast delighted a packed house at the Plaza Theatre in 1951.
Credit: Palm Springs Historical Society
The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation, in partnership with the City of Palm Springs and Oak View Group, is leading the effort to revitalize this landmark as a hub for live music, theater, film, educational programming, and community events. Tickets to the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre are on sale now.
American Legion Post 519
The post was founded in 1934 by World War I veterans, including prominent Palm Springs resident Earl Coffman, and was named in honor of Coffman’s son Owen, who was killed in action during World War II. After raising funds for a permanent location, members enlisted renowned architects John Porter Clark and Albert Frey to design what was then called the War Memorial Building, which officially opened to veterans and their families on Jan. 3, 1948.
It features a large ballroom and stage, along with the original 1905 Steinway baby grand piano. That was used to accompany stars like Al Jolson, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, and Doris Day during the weekly Kraft Music Hall variety show that was produced live from the post from 1948 to 1954.
Bing Crosby and Bob Hope share the NBC microphone stationed at the American Legion Post No. 519 in Palm Springs, which used to broadcast the Kraft Music Hall variety show. PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY AMERICAN LEGION POST NO. 519
Coral Room of the El Mirador
This popular spot in the famous El Mirador Hotel opened in 1940 with Don Francisco and his orchestra. Francisco and his band, composed of violin, guitar, bass, and accordion, had played most of the country’s finer hotels and cocktail lounges. El Mirador was an early Palm Springs hotel that opened in 1928. After it opened, the stars arrived. The Barrymores, Al Jolson and his dancing wife, Ruby Keeler; Bing Crosby and his wife, Dixie Lee, and Marlene Dietrich. Other notable visitors included writers, composers (such as George Gershwin), directors, and producers. This became a very popular Palm Springs hot spot for parties, dances, and live music.
Frank Sinatra
Frank is by far the most famous star who has lived in Palm Springs, as he spent a significant amount of time here. He began coming in the mid-1940s, where he would vacation between broadcasts. Jimmy Van Heusen, a four-time Oscar winner for Best Song, was Frank's good friend and introduced him to Palm Springs. He was truly a man about town and defined the Palm Springs music scene like no other.
He was involved in numerous Palm Springs charities and collaborated with notable figures such as Mack Gordon, Rudy Vallee, Bob Hope, and Jack Benny, among others. There is so much more to say that we'll save for another future article.
Learn about his Palm Springs Home, the Twin Palm Frank Sinatra Estate
Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.
Credit: Palm Springs Historical Society
Rudy Vallee
Rudy was a famous radio musician and band leader from the 1920s, credited with being the first star “crooner” leader of a long line that would follow. He was the principal musician at the Palm Springs Racquet Club, one of the most popular clubs of the time, which would remain in operation for years.
Credit: Palm Springs Life
Elvis Presley
The King was planning to wed his Queen, Priscilla, in Palm Springs. He popped the question to her just before Christmas in 1966 and presented her with a 3.5-carat diamond engagement ring. The wedding was set for May 1, 1967, which was a Monday. They arranged to lease the home from the well-known developer Robert Alexander. It was close to the home of Elvis’s Manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
Rona Barret, a famous gossip columnist who lived around the corner, had her suspicions when Priscilla showed up with her entire family. She then announced the pending wedding. Frank Sinatra came to the rescue and arranged for a limousine and private jet to take them to Las Vegas, where they then got married. They then honeymooned in the leased Palm Springs home, which is now called the “Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway.”
Trini Lopez
Trini López, the singer and guitarist who had hits in the 1960s with songs like "If I Had a Hammer" and "La Bomba," and appeared in the classic war movie “The Dirty Dozen.” He first began to stay in Palm Springs in 1966 and later moved here full-time in 1981. He played for many charities in Palm Springs. In 1966, it was the Palm Springs police show, featuring Lopez, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Julie London, and the Andrews Sisters, among others. He was flown to Palm Springs by Frank Sinatra in 1971 to perform at the Tennis Club for the Bob Hope Desert Classic. In 1977, he performed with Sammy Davis Jr. at the Riviera Hotel’s grand ballroom. He would later perform with the Lennon sisters at the Palm Springs High School for another charity event.
50's Album Anniversary with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin
The ninth annual Police Show was on March 29, 1958. From left, Jimmy Van Heusen, Peggy Lee, Sinatra, and Ray Ryan. Credit: Palm Springs Historical Society
Barry Manilow
In 1983, Mel Haber welcomed Barry Manilow to his restaurant, Melvyn’s. He was living in Palm Springs in the greatest example of midcentury modern architecture, the Kaufman House. In 2008, Barry launched Manilow’s Music Project by giving over 300 instruments to 20 middle and high school music departments in Palm Springs and the Desert Sands. Barry Manilow is still a Palm Springs resident.
