Oakland’s Paramount Theater is now recognized as one of the grandest examples of Art Deco architecture still in existence, but this masterpiece almost met the same fate as many other prestigious movie palaces of its era. Originally constructed in 1931, the Paramount was a torn and tattered dump by the late 1960s. At the time, the Oakland Symphony was looking for a new home, and its leaders realized that beneath decades of grime lay a unique gem. After extensive restoration, the Paramount reopened in 1973, and has been hosting icons like Bob Marley, Prince, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, Jerry Seinfeld, and Chris Rock ever since. 

On today’s episode, the Paramount’s head curator David Boysel discusses the turbulent history of this 2,996-seat venue as well as the backstory to his never-ending quest to keep the building in perfect condition. Expect to hear about the Paramount’s famed architect Timothy Pflueger, the many historical mysteries that Boysel has solved over the years, the network of local artisans who keep the Paramount looking pristine, and much more.

One additional note: This episode is a followup to a profile that I wrote for SF Gate last month. To see some truly stunning photos of the Paramount in all its glory and to read the article, visit: https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/paramount-theatre-curator-david-boysel-17595816.php

If you have suggestions for topics I should cover in an upcoming article, please drop me a line: eastbayyesterday [at] gmail. I’m primarily interested in East Bay-related stories with a local history angle.