[2] The theater was designed in 1938 and construction began in 1941, but was not completed until 1950, due to delays caused by World War II.

Now with 41 ranks (sets of pipes) and two fully functional 4-manual (four keyboards plus pedals) consoles, this Wurlitzer is one of the largest and finest in existence.

[6] Bruce Springsteen, Dido, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Paul Robeson, Dream Theater, Bob Dylan, Tangerine Dream, Stan Getz, The Grateful Dead, Joni Mitchell, Robin Trower, Frank Zappa, James Taylor, Richie Havens, Alice Cooper, Lenny Bruce, Harry Chapin, Elton John, David Bowie, Genesis, The Band, The Doors, King Crimson, The Clash, Elvis Costello, Van Morrison, The Kinks, Tangerine Dream, Humble Pie, The Tubes, Bay City Rollers, Peter Gabriel, Iggy Pop, and Iron Butterfly have played shows at the theater.

[7] Famous speakers have included the Dalai Lama, Lenny Bruce, Bernie Sanders, Maya Angelou, Timothy Leary, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Al Franken, and Amy Goodman.

Berkeley voters passed measure AA in 2000, allocating around $15 million to the theater for renovation.