Hollywood Bowl names stage for John Williams, honoring a decades-long partnership

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For many years, summer evenings at the Hollywood Bowl were defined by the music of John Williams, especially his iconic scores from films like “Star Wars,” “E.T.,” and “Indiana Jones.” Though now 93 and conducting less often, Williams remains a central figure at the Bowl each summer, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic performing his music – music that has become deeply connected with the history of Hollywood itself.

That bond has been made official.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Philharmonic will reveal that its Hollywood Bowl stage will be named in honor of John Williams. This is a first for the Bowl, which has never dedicated its stage to any artist in its 103-year history.

It’s hard to think of a more perfect selection. Few composers have had such a significant impact on Hollywood and on the memories of those who attend concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. With five Oscars and an incredible 54 nominations – second only to Walt Disney – Williams’ career has shaped the sound of blockbuster movies. His work with George Lucas on “Star Wars” resulted in arguably the most famous movie theme of all time. And over nearly 50 years, his partnership with Steven Spielberg brought us iconic scores for films like “Jaws,” “E.T.,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Jurassic Park,” and “Schindler’s List.”

A private ceremony at the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday morning honored John Williams. Attendees included Williams himself, along with Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Gustavo Dudamel, the LA Phil’s music and artistic director. The orchestra’s brass section performed Williams’ “Music for Brass,” followed by a performance of his “Theme from Sabrina” by violinist Anne Akiko Meyers and pianist Joanne Pearce Martin. Speakers celebrated Williams’ sixty-year relationship with the orchestra and the Bowl, and a video highlighted his impact on musicians and audiences around the world.

Speaking at an event on Sunday, conductor Gustavo Dudamel remembered being captivated by John Williams’ music as a child in Venezuela. He would repeatedly watch movies like “Star Wars” and “Jurassic Park” just to hear the soundtracks. Later, when he met Williams at age 24, Dudamel realized the music reflected the composer’s kind personality. He explained, “The warmth and kindness in the music came directly from the man himself.”

As a fan of the Philharmonic, it was amazing to hear Dudamel talk about honoring the composer. He said it was a real privilege, because this composer has been a guide and inspiration to so many musicians over the years. He made it clear how special their connection is, saying, ‘Today, that relationship becomes forever.’ It was a beautiful tribute – he even said, ‘This is your stage, John, and it’s been yours for 46 years!’ It really felt like a celebration of a lifetime of dedication.

John Williams first led the Hollywood Bowl orchestra in 1978, filling in for a sick Arthur Fiedler while taking a break from composing the score for “Superman,” as biographer Tim Greiving recounts. This one-time appearance blossomed into a decades-long summer tradition, with consistently sold-out concerts attracting almost 18,000 attendees each night and establishing orchestral film scores as a key part of the Bowl’s reputation.

As a huge movie fan, I always loved going to his summer concerts. They felt like a real event – families would come with picnics, and when “The Imperial March” played, the whole crowd would wave lightsabers along with the music. He’d walk onstage to cheers you usually only see for rock stars! I remember one of his last shows in 2023 so well – he even had a playful lightsaber battle with Dudamel right there on stage, and the audience went wild!

Along with the announcement, Spielberg shared how deeply John Williams impacted cinema. He said that without Williams’ music, iconic moments like flying bikes, Quidditch broomsticks, and superheroes wouldn’t feel magical. He added that we wouldn’t experience the wonder, emotion, or belief that great films create – things like the Force or even the existence of dinosaurs wouldn’t feel real.

The project received generous funding from supporters and colleagues, including donations from Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw’s Hearthland Foundation, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, Seth MacFarlane, and the Katie McGrath and J.J. Abrams Family Foundation.

At the ceremony on Sunday, Williams shared his thanks for an honor he described as exceeding his wildest expectations from when he first performed at the Bowl almost fifty years ago.

He expressed his deep gratitude for what he called an extraordinary and incredibly generous dedication from the Los Angeles Philharmonic – which he considers his family. He thanked all the donors who support and celebrate the work of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, recognizing it as one of the world’s leading orchestras, and reiterated how truly unique and unprecedented this honor is.

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2025-11-11 17:31