Erik,
I remember going to see Led Zepplin’s “The Song Remains The Same” at Randhurst at the same time “Rocky Horror” was playing. I remember fans of Led Zepplin and fans of Rocky Horror would argue (in good humor) which film was better. No one ever won that arguement because the doors would open and we’d all go in to see the movies.
Those were some fun times.
Mary
Scott,
In my comment on August 5, I was only saying that it is a shame such beauty had to be destroyed. I know when these theaters were built, they were built to attract people to watch the shows that were playing, not to attract people to their archetecture. You should also know that one picture struck me deeply in the Annual for Levy & Klein, (page 36) showing men on scaffolding 100 feet above floor level, working on the ceiling plaster. Those are the workers I was talking about. I know that even in the 1920’s companies were only concerned with the bottom line, not the hard work these people did. Seems like some things never change.
Also, in reading earlier posts, I know that in this day and age, theaters like the Paradise, Granada & Marbro wouldn’t have lasted in the neighborhood they were built in. It’s just heartbreaking to me.
Geo 1,
You are right about the carousel. That link is what my kids were thinking of when I told them about the carousel in the kids' room at the Paradise, and when they saw the picture of the actual carousel, they were disappointed. I, however, loved the carousel.
When I received my Annuals, I also received letters describing what the THS is, a “Partial Description of Archive Holdings”, a flyer on the American Movie Palace Museum, and a letter of how to become a volunteer. If anyone is interested in becoming a volunteer, you can contact Richard Sklenar at the THS.
Geo 1,
WOW is right! I received my Annuals and went through them. I can’t believe they demolished theaters that were so gorgeous!
To think of all the work that went into these theaters, the statues, the carvings, not to mention the planning…it makes me sick to think these theaters were destroyed.
Of course, when I read in the Paradise Annual, (on page 28) that the painting in the Ladies' Lounge disappeared the first week and was never replaced, I thought “that was an omen, it was just the beginning”.
The picture of the kids playroom, Wow. The carousel isn’t as grand as we see today, but I think in many ways it’s just as beautiful. I wish I could have seen it.
I really wish I could have seen the Paradise, as well as the Marbro and I wish I would have gone to see the Granada. Oh, well, the only thing I can do now is to support the beautiful theaters that still exist.
Windy’s! That was it. Thanks for the help Brian. I remember eating lunch there and when we left, you could still smell the grease on your clothes. But the food was good, so we went there alot anyway.
Mary
Lost Memeory,
Thanks for posting those photos. In your last post on July 28, I scanned through some of the pictures and I had forgotten all about the Sugar Bowl and the Choo Choo. I used to eat at these restaurants all the time when I worked downtown Des Plaines. There was another restaurant I used to eat at too that was right next to the theater, (not the Chinese Restaurant but on the other side of the theater) only I can’t remember the name. (This was in 1985-1988). Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Mary
Geo 1, Thanks for your warning on the picture of the Pardise Carousel. Although I didn’t expect it to be big, I thought there might be a few lights on it, (although I didn’t expect anything like a Six Flags Carousel).
I still can’t wait to see the picture of it though. I ordered the 1977 Paradise Annual and the 1999 which has the Marboro and Granada in it. Since I don’t work in the summer, I figured I’d start with these and when I get back to work, I can order more. I’d like to get a Marquee book and look at some of the beautiful Marquees, as well as some of the other theaters.
TNTIM, thank you for information on the house lights. I would like to see a theater that changes the color of lights during the movie or production. I’ve never seen that done before. Unfortunatly, my husband isn’t into older buildings as much as I am, and talking him into going to an older theater isn’t easy unless there’s a movie he wants to see. I’m hoping the annuals will inspire him. He seems interested in these posts so there is hope.
I grew up going to an older theater to watch movies, (The Des Plaines Theater, in Des Plaines, Il. which is still operating and has a page on this website), so I know how beautiful these buildings can be.
We’ve also recently taken our daughter to see Dora the Explorer at the Rialto Theater in Joliet, Il, and he commented on the archetecture of that theater. So maybe I can get him to more old theaters in the future???? Then maybe I can see a theater where the lights fade.
Mary
Geo 1, Thanks for your warning on the picture of the Pardise Carousel. Although I didn’t expect it to be big, I thought there might be a few lights on it, (although I didn’t expect anything like a Six Flags Carousel).
I still can’t wait to see the picture of it though. I ordered the 1977 Paradise Annual and the 1999 which has the Marboro and Granada in it. Since I don’t work in the summer, I figured I’d start with these and when I get back to work, I can order more. I’d like to get a Marquee book and look at some of the beautiful Marquees, as well as some of the other theaters.
TNTIM, thank you for information on the house lights. I would like to see a theater that changes the color of lights during the movie or production. I’ve never seen that done before. Unfortunatly, my husband isn’t into older buildings as much as I am, and talking him into going to an older theater isn’t easy unless there’s a movie he wants to see. I’m hoping the annuals will inspire him. He seems interested in these posts so there is hope.
I grew up going to an older theater to watch movies, (The Des Plaines Theater, in Des Plaines, Il. which is still operating and has a page on this website), so I know how beautiful these buildings can be.
We’ve also recently taken our daughter to see Dora the Explorer at the Rialto Theater in Joliet, Il, and he commented on the archetecture of that theater. So maybe I can get him to more old theaters in the future???? Then maybe I can see a theater where the lights fade.
Mary
Geo 1 and Beardbear,
Thanks for your help in solving this mystery. I’m glad I was aable to help out also.
Geo 1, I haven’t heard from Dennis DeYoung either, so apparently he doesn’t want to answer our question, (or maybe he’s just tired of hearing it).
I sent my check off for the Annuals yesterday, so hopefully I’ll receive them soon. I can’t wait to see the beautiful pictures everyone is talking about, especially the carousel.
Jim Rankin, thanks again for bringing the Annuals to my attention.
Mary L.
Wow, I just found this website a couple of weeks ago while looking up some info from another theater, and thought I’d try to look up the Des Plaines.
I remember growing up in Des Plaines and watching many movies here. I was sad when the fire hit, (but I wasn’t there), and remember walking to work at the First National Bank of Des Plaines, past the theater and thinking it looked kind of spooky. I was glad when they fixed it up and re-opened it, although I never went inside the theater after that because I moved away shortly thereafter.
I’m glad to see it’s still open and running.
Mary
Life’s too Short,
I was wondering about the basement also. If it’s still there, (and anyone took care of it), that would be interesting to see what’s down there. Of course, from what I’ve read above, the neighborhood would have to turn around in order for me to go and look.
Geo 1,
I linked on Dennis DeYoung’s website and I laughed! This explains Chris Hopkins' question as to they insisted “Sparky the Flying Dog” be put on the album cover. I’ve e-mailed Chris with the website address to look at, if he’s interested.
I’ve also e-mailed Dennis DeYoung, and maybe he or someone who works for him will get back to me, but maybe not. If they do, I’ll let you know. I would think that with his website promoting the 25th anniversary of the Paradise Theater album, he would either answer one of us, or send us a link to his website letting us know the answer is posted there.
I’m glad you got in contact with Derek Sutton, it’s been a crazy day for me and this was the first time I could get to my computer today.
Lowell Streiker,
That excerpt is very detailed and I could almost picture it in my head. I say almost because I have never seen the inside of the Paradise, and I can’t order my Annual from THSA until Thursday, so I’ll have to wait for it to come to see the pictures. However, I could imagine the frustration of seeing the Merri-Go-Round, but never being able to ride on it, or even touch it.
Geo 1,
I received a cc copy of Chris Hopkins e-mail he sent to you as well, and it appears you are right. Thankfully, you had those pictures to send to him. I’m also glad we contacted him now, so he won’t take the print off of his website.
It’s kind of funny, how inspired a bunch of us were some 25 years ago to find out more about the Paradise Theater because of an album cover, and how much we all have found out about other theaters in the past few months, especially because of the cover not representing the actual theater.
Please keep us informed if you find Derrick Sutton, or if you want me to try, let me know.
Mary
Geo 1,
I don’t recognize that theater either, but you’re right, it must be from a small town. A bigger town would have taller buildings.
Keep us informed if Chris Hopkins gets back to you on your drawing also. I’d like to know if he recognizes it.
Mary
Geo1 and everyone else:
I have heard from Chris Hopkins and am going to attempt to copy his e-mail here, as it is long and detailed and I don’t want to mess it up.
Mary,
I am truly amazed at this inquiry. It seems that I painted the Styx
Paradise Theater album cover art an eternity ago. I was 25 years old
and fresh out of art school. Paradise Theater was one of my first jobs.
I was working as an illustrator for an illustration/design firm called
Willardson and White. At that time A and M records was a steady client.
My self and another illustrator (Mick McGinty) would do all of the
illustration work and almost all of the design work. While a movie
poster campaign for Flash Gordon went to Mick, the entire campaign for
Styx Paradise Theater came to me. The project involved not only album
cover art front and back, but also inside art, 45 sleeve art, the
record label art, the round art in the middle of the LP ( which would
subsequently be used as a lazer etching on the LP vinyl). The
lettering and boarder front and back had to be designed and painted as
well as designs and paintings for the outdoor boards. I designed the
cover art in a way that could be altered and used as a 36"x48" poster
as well as a 12"x12" album sleeve (there is much more of the building
in the original art and printed posters) . I painted this project back
in 1980 ( or 81) I apologize as this was so long ago and so very many
paintings ago. I vaguely remember getting a stack of reference on how
the band wanted the feeling of the concept to proceed. I was working
with Chuch Beeson who was art director at A and M at the time, I was
also working with Derek Sutton who was managing Styx. I am sorry and
embarrassed to admit that I am not familiar with Robert Addison nor do
I know anything of the Granada Theater. I was a young man from the
pacific northwest working in Los Angeles with absolutely no reference
to the Chicago area. I was simply given a stack of reference and told
of the attitude of the concept and proceeded accordingly. If samples of
Mr. Addison’s work or photos of the old Paradise theater, as well as
other classic theaters were included in that stack… well I just do
not remember as it was 26 or 27 years ago. It is also important to
remember that the band was seeking a feeling or an artistic statement
rather than an exact architectural rendering of a specific structure in
which case I would have been the wrong person for the job. I remember
having fun designing a building facade( based on reference) and all the
gargoyles and the one sheet marquees on the front of the theater. I
remember the band requesting that I put a number 10 above the ticket
window (I think It may have been their 10th album however I’m not
entirely sure of it’s significance). They also asked me to design a
one sheet poster marquee for the dilapidated back cover art, “Sparky
The Flying Dog”. I was never really aware it’s significance. I had my
friend Ted Witus design a black and white solution of the Paradise
Theater marquee which I incorporated and translated to color and
dimension. Ted was one of the leading title designers in Hollywood at
the time designing movie titles for:“ Raiders of the Lost Arc”, “The
Natural” and a great many others. It was my decision to paint the
figures and vehicles on the front art in a deco style as I felt it
would contribute to the feel and period of the concept. It seems that
the art went over well as A and M printed the art as a limited edition
print minus the title lettering on high quality paper ( an addition of
500 I think, I assume those must be worth something I know that I must
have a few artist’s proofs stashed away some where for a rainy day) The
art was also a finalist for a grammy award in the category of “Album
Packaging Design”.
I have been intending to delete the Paradise Theater art from my web
site as it was created so long ago and I believe that my painting
skills have improved drastically. But as it turns out yours is not the
only inquiry as of late. I suppose I’ll delay it’s removal for a little
while longer.
Thank you Mary for this trip down memory lane,
Should you have any more questions feel free to ask,
Chris
This answers some of the questions on the artwork, but doesn’t answer why Styx didn’t use the Paradise for the cover. Since Dennis DeYoung didn’t answer you back, Geo 1, we may never know. However, at least we got some information on the artwork and in the process made Chris Hopkins' day by letting him know we were admiring his artwork.
Geo 1, I’m confused by this as well, but I e-mailed Chris Hopkins Art Galleries and if they answer me, I will pass on any information I receive.
Thanks also for the link to the Indiana Theater. We don’t get out to Indiana much, (I don’t know why, since we are in Illinois), but the next time we get out there, I’ll have to go check the Indiana out. It looks beautiful in the pictures, but I’d like to see it first-hand.
Jim Rankin, thanks for the info on the protectors for the annuals, once I receive the annuals, I’ll have to order the book.
Wow, I was at the Rialto a few months ago to watch “Dora the Explorer” with my 4-year-old, and thought the theater was beautiful then! After looking at the old photographs, I wish I had been around to see the theater before it was restored. (We only moved to Joliet 5 years ago.) Thank you all for the pictures!
Thanks for the info Geo1. It is possible that Addison worked for Willardson and White, Inc. and drew the original picture. The link I referred to above looked like advertising and not the original album cover. However, if you look at the album, on the lower right hand side, under the Marquee, Hopkins name is on the drawing.
I’m thinking maybe Addison drew the original and Hopkins drew the album cover when it was released.
P.S. Thanks for verifying that the THS Annuals are worth the money. I can’t wait to receive them. Can you tell me which Annual has the Paradise in NY?
I bought the Styx Paradise Theater album when I was in 8th grade, in the early 80’s and I remember being very interested in the finding information on the Theater. However, since we didn’t have the internet yet, and I hated the library at the time, I never followed up on it.
However, I’ve kept this and other albums with me all these years and just bought a new record player in the last week. I’ve pulled out all my old albums and now my kids are asking about the Paradise Theater.
Thanks to the internet, I found this site and thanks to all of your posts, I have now found out a lot of information I can pass to my kids, the oldest is which in 7th grade.
Geo 1, you commented that the artwork for the album are done by Robert Addison. Looking at my album cover, it credits the illistrations to Chris Hopkins, Willardson and White, Inc.
Jim Rankin, thanks for your information on the Annuals from THS and your link. As soon as I can, I’m going to get the Paradise Annual as well as the one with the information on the Marbro and Granada. Since most of the links with pictures to the Paradise are under construction and you cannot pull up the pictures, this will be very interesting to see.
Thanks again everybody for posting.
Erik,
I remember going to see Led Zepplin’s “The Song Remains The Same” at Randhurst at the same time “Rocky Horror” was playing. I remember fans of Led Zepplin and fans of Rocky Horror would argue (in good humor) which film was better. No one ever won that arguement because the doors would open and we’d all go in to see the movies.
Those were some fun times.
Mary
Geo 1,
Keep us informed if the property in Vermont works out. I’ve never been there but I heard it is a beautiful state.
Mary
Scott,
In my comment on August 5, I was only saying that it is a shame such beauty had to be destroyed. I know when these theaters were built, they were built to attract people to watch the shows that were playing, not to attract people to their archetecture. You should also know that one picture struck me deeply in the Annual for Levy & Klein, (page 36) showing men on scaffolding 100 feet above floor level, working on the ceiling plaster. Those are the workers I was talking about. I know that even in the 1920’s companies were only concerned with the bottom line, not the hard work these people did. Seems like some things never change.
Also, in reading earlier posts, I know that in this day and age, theaters like the Paradise, Granada & Marbro wouldn’t have lasted in the neighborhood they were built in. It’s just heartbreaking to me.
Geo 1,
You are right about the carousel. That link is what my kids were thinking of when I told them about the carousel in the kids' room at the Paradise, and when they saw the picture of the actual carousel, they were disappointed. I, however, loved the carousel.
When I received my Annuals, I also received letters describing what the THS is, a “Partial Description of Archive Holdings”, a flyer on the American Movie Palace Museum, and a letter of how to become a volunteer. If anyone is interested in becoming a volunteer, you can contact Richard Sklenar at the THS.
Geo 1,
WOW is right! I received my Annuals and went through them. I can’t believe they demolished theaters that were so gorgeous!
To think of all the work that went into these theaters, the statues, the carvings, not to mention the planning…it makes me sick to think these theaters were destroyed.
Of course, when I read in the Paradise Annual, (on page 28) that the painting in the Ladies' Lounge disappeared the first week and was never replaced, I thought “that was an omen, it was just the beginning”.
The picture of the kids playroom, Wow. The carousel isn’t as grand as we see today, but I think in many ways it’s just as beautiful. I wish I could have seen it.
I really wish I could have seen the Paradise, as well as the Marbro and I wish I would have gone to see the Granada. Oh, well, the only thing I can do now is to support the beautiful theaters that still exist.
Windy’s! That was it. Thanks for the help Brian. I remember eating lunch there and when we left, you could still smell the grease on your clothes. But the food was good, so we went there alot anyway.
Mary
Lost Memeory,
Thanks for posting those photos. In your last post on July 28, I scanned through some of the pictures and I had forgotten all about the Sugar Bowl and the Choo Choo. I used to eat at these restaurants all the time when I worked downtown Des Plaines. There was another restaurant I used to eat at too that was right next to the theater, (not the Chinese Restaurant but on the other side of the theater) only I can’t remember the name. (This was in 1985-1988). Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Mary
Geo 1, Thanks for your warning on the picture of the Pardise Carousel. Although I didn’t expect it to be big, I thought there might be a few lights on it, (although I didn’t expect anything like a Six Flags Carousel).
I still can’t wait to see the picture of it though. I ordered the 1977 Paradise Annual and the 1999 which has the Marboro and Granada in it. Since I don’t work in the summer, I figured I’d start with these and when I get back to work, I can order more. I’d like to get a Marquee book and look at some of the beautiful Marquees, as well as some of the other theaters.
TNTIM, thank you for information on the house lights. I would like to see a theater that changes the color of lights during the movie or production. I’ve never seen that done before. Unfortunatly, my husband isn’t into older buildings as much as I am, and talking him into going to an older theater isn’t easy unless there’s a movie he wants to see. I’m hoping the annuals will inspire him. He seems interested in these posts so there is hope.
I grew up going to an older theater to watch movies, (The Des Plaines Theater, in Des Plaines, Il. which is still operating and has a page on this website), so I know how beautiful these buildings can be.
We’ve also recently taken our daughter to see Dora the Explorer at the Rialto Theater in Joliet, Il, and he commented on the archetecture of that theater. So maybe I can get him to more old theaters in the future???? Then maybe I can see a theater where the lights fade.
Mary
Geo 1, Thanks for your warning on the picture of the Pardise Carousel. Although I didn’t expect it to be big, I thought there might be a few lights on it, (although I didn’t expect anything like a Six Flags Carousel).
I still can’t wait to see the picture of it though. I ordered the 1977 Paradise Annual and the 1999 which has the Marboro and Granada in it. Since I don’t work in the summer, I figured I’d start with these and when I get back to work, I can order more. I’d like to get a Marquee book and look at some of the beautiful Marquees, as well as some of the other theaters.
TNTIM, thank you for information on the house lights. I would like to see a theater that changes the color of lights during the movie or production. I’ve never seen that done before. Unfortunatly, my husband isn’t into older buildings as much as I am, and talking him into going to an older theater isn’t easy unless there’s a movie he wants to see. I’m hoping the annuals will inspire him. He seems interested in these posts so there is hope.
I grew up going to an older theater to watch movies, (The Des Plaines Theater, in Des Plaines, Il. which is still operating and has a page on this website), so I know how beautiful these buildings can be.
We’ve also recently taken our daughter to see Dora the Explorer at the Rialto Theater in Joliet, Il, and he commented on the archetecture of that theater. So maybe I can get him to more old theaters in the future???? Then maybe I can see a theater where the lights fade.
Mary
Geo 1 and Beardbear,
Thanks for your help in solving this mystery. I’m glad I was aable to help out also.
Geo 1, I haven’t heard from Dennis DeYoung either, so apparently he doesn’t want to answer our question, (or maybe he’s just tired of hearing it).
I sent my check off for the Annuals yesterday, so hopefully I’ll receive them soon. I can’t wait to see the beautiful pictures everyone is talking about, especially the carousel.
Jim Rankin, thanks again for bringing the Annuals to my attention.
Mary L.
Wow, I just found this website a couple of weeks ago while looking up some info from another theater, and thought I’d try to look up the Des Plaines.
I remember growing up in Des Plaines and watching many movies here. I was sad when the fire hit, (but I wasn’t there), and remember walking to work at the First National Bank of Des Plaines, past the theater and thinking it looked kind of spooky. I was glad when they fixed it up and re-opened it, although I never went inside the theater after that because I moved away shortly thereafter.
I’m glad to see it’s still open and running.
Mary
Life’s too Short,
I was wondering about the basement also. If it’s still there, (and anyone took care of it), that would be interesting to see what’s down there. Of course, from what I’ve read above, the neighborhood would have to turn around in order for me to go and look.
Geo 1,
I linked on Dennis DeYoung’s website and I laughed! This explains Chris Hopkins' question as to they insisted “Sparky the Flying Dog” be put on the album cover. I’ve e-mailed Chris with the website address to look at, if he’s interested.
I’ve also e-mailed Dennis DeYoung, and maybe he or someone who works for him will get back to me, but maybe not. If they do, I’ll let you know. I would think that with his website promoting the 25th anniversary of the Paradise Theater album, he would either answer one of us, or send us a link to his website letting us know the answer is posted there.
I’m glad you got in contact with Derek Sutton, it’s been a crazy day for me and this was the first time I could get to my computer today.
Lowell Streiker,
That excerpt is very detailed and I could almost picture it in my head. I say almost because I have never seen the inside of the Paradise, and I can’t order my Annual from THSA until Thursday, so I’ll have to wait for it to come to see the pictures. However, I could imagine the frustration of seeing the Merri-Go-Round, but never being able to ride on it, or even touch it.
Geo 1,
I received a cc copy of Chris Hopkins e-mail he sent to you as well, and it appears you are right. Thankfully, you had those pictures to send to him. I’m also glad we contacted him now, so he won’t take the print off of his website.
It’s kind of funny, how inspired a bunch of us were some 25 years ago to find out more about the Paradise Theater because of an album cover, and how much we all have found out about other theaters in the past few months, especially because of the cover not representing the actual theater.
Please keep us informed if you find Derrick Sutton, or if you want me to try, let me know.
Mary
Geo 1,
I don’t recognize that theater either, but you’re right, it must be from a small town. A bigger town would have taller buildings.
Keep us informed if Chris Hopkins gets back to you on your drawing also. I’d like to know if he recognizes it.
Mary
Geo1 and everyone else:
I have heard from Chris Hopkins and am going to attempt to copy his e-mail here, as it is long and detailed and I don’t want to mess it up.
Mary,
I am truly amazed at this inquiry. It seems that I painted the Styx
Paradise Theater album cover art an eternity ago. I was 25 years old
and fresh out of art school. Paradise Theater was one of my first jobs.
I was working as an illustrator for an illustration/design firm called
Willardson and White. At that time A and M records was a steady client.
My self and another illustrator (Mick McGinty) would do all of the
illustration work and almost all of the design work. While a movie
poster campaign for Flash Gordon went to Mick, the entire campaign for
Styx Paradise Theater came to me. The project involved not only album
cover art front and back, but also inside art, 45 sleeve art, the
record label art, the round art in the middle of the LP ( which would
subsequently be used as a lazer etching on the LP vinyl). The
lettering and boarder front and back had to be designed and painted as
well as designs and paintings for the outdoor boards. I designed the
cover art in a way that could be altered and used as a 36"x48" poster
as well as a 12"x12" album sleeve (there is much more of the building
in the original art and printed posters) . I painted this project back
in 1980 ( or 81) I apologize as this was so long ago and so very many
paintings ago. I vaguely remember getting a stack of reference on how
the band wanted the feeling of the concept to proceed. I was working
with Chuch Beeson who was art director at A and M at the time, I was
also working with Derek Sutton who was managing Styx. I am sorry and
embarrassed to admit that I am not familiar with Robert Addison nor do
I know anything of the Granada Theater. I was a young man from the
pacific northwest working in Los Angeles with absolutely no reference
to the Chicago area. I was simply given a stack of reference and told
of the attitude of the concept and proceeded accordingly. If samples of
Mr. Addison’s work or photos of the old Paradise theater, as well as
other classic theaters were included in that stack… well I just do
not remember as it was 26 or 27 years ago. It is also important to
remember that the band was seeking a feeling or an artistic statement
rather than an exact architectural rendering of a specific structure in
which case I would have been the wrong person for the job. I remember
having fun designing a building facade( based on reference) and all the
gargoyles and the one sheet marquees on the front of the theater. I
remember the band requesting that I put a number 10 above the ticket
window (I think It may have been their 10th album however I’m not
entirely sure of it’s significance). They also asked me to design a
one sheet poster marquee for the dilapidated back cover art, “Sparky
The Flying Dog”. I was never really aware it’s significance. I had my
friend Ted Witus design a black and white solution of the Paradise
Theater marquee which I incorporated and translated to color and
dimension. Ted was one of the leading title designers in Hollywood at
the time designing movie titles for:“ Raiders of the Lost Arc”, “The
Natural” and a great many others. It was my decision to paint the
figures and vehicles on the front art in a deco style as I felt it
would contribute to the feel and period of the concept. It seems that
the art went over well as A and M printed the art as a limited edition
print minus the title lettering on high quality paper ( an addition of
500 I think, I assume those must be worth something I know that I must
have a few artist’s proofs stashed away some where for a rainy day) The
art was also a finalist for a grammy award in the category of “Album
Packaging Design”.
I have been intending to delete the Paradise Theater art from my web
site as it was created so long ago and I believe that my painting
skills have improved drastically. But as it turns out yours is not the
only inquiry as of late. I suppose I’ll delay it’s removal for a little
while longer.
Thank you Mary for this trip down memory lane,
Should you have any more questions feel free to ask,
Chris
This answers some of the questions on the artwork, but doesn’t answer why Styx didn’t use the Paradise for the cover. Since Dennis DeYoung didn’t answer you back, Geo 1, we may never know. However, at least we got some information on the artwork and in the process made Chris Hopkins' day by letting him know we were admiring his artwork.
Geo 1, I’m confused by this as well, but I e-mailed Chris Hopkins Art Galleries and if they answer me, I will pass on any information I receive.
Thanks also for the link to the Indiana Theater. We don’t get out to Indiana much, (I don’t know why, since we are in Illinois), but the next time we get out there, I’ll have to go check the Indiana out. It looks beautiful in the pictures, but I’d like to see it first-hand.
Jim Rankin, thanks for the info on the protectors for the annuals, once I receive the annuals, I’ll have to order the book.
Wow, I was at the Rialto a few months ago to watch “Dora the Explorer” with my 4-year-old, and thought the theater was beautiful then! After looking at the old photographs, I wish I had been around to see the theater before it was restored. (We only moved to Joliet 5 years ago.) Thank you all for the pictures!
Thanks for the info Geo1. It is possible that Addison worked for Willardson and White, Inc. and drew the original picture. The link I referred to above looked like advertising and not the original album cover. However, if you look at the album, on the lower right hand side, under the Marquee, Hopkins name is on the drawing.
I’m thinking maybe Addison drew the original and Hopkins drew the album cover when it was released.
P.S. Thanks for verifying that the THS Annuals are worth the money. I can’t wait to receive them. Can you tell me which Annual has the Paradise in NY?
I just went into Chris Hopkins website and the advertising for Styx Paradise Theater is there. The website says he’s still doing artwork also.
http://www.chrishopkinsart.com/ChrisHopkinsArt.com
is the website for Chris Hopkins.
I bought the Styx Paradise Theater album when I was in 8th grade, in the early 80’s and I remember being very interested in the finding information on the Theater. However, since we didn’t have the internet yet, and I hated the library at the time, I never followed up on it.
However, I’ve kept this and other albums with me all these years and just bought a new record player in the last week. I’ve pulled out all my old albums and now my kids are asking about the Paradise Theater.
Thanks to the internet, I found this site and thanks to all of your posts, I have now found out a lot of information I can pass to my kids, the oldest is which in 7th grade.
Geo 1, you commented that the artwork for the album are done by Robert Addison. Looking at my album cover, it credits the illistrations to Chris Hopkins, Willardson and White, Inc.
Jim Rankin, thanks for your information on the Annuals from THS and your link. As soon as I can, I’m going to get the Paradise Annual as well as the one with the information on the Marbro and Granada. Since most of the links with pictures to the Paradise are under construction and you cannot pull up the pictures, this will be very interesting to see.
Thanks again everybody for posting.