Bill Murray — seen here arriving on the red carpet Oct. 19, 2019, for his lecture at the Rome Film Fest in Rome — filmed a Comedy Central TV show in Lake Geneva with three of his brothers.
Domenico Stinellis, courtesy AP
Joel Murray was director and producer of “The Sweet Spot,” as well as one of its stars. Here is he seen at the 25th annual Critics’ Choice Awards Jan. 12, 2020, in Santa Monica, California.
Jordan Strauss, AP
(Left) Brian Doyle-Murray — seen here with Steve Byrne at the TNT and TBS 2013 Upfront at the Hammerstein Ballroom May 15, 2013, in New York — was also in “The Sweet Spot,” which was partly filmed at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa.
Note: This is an edited version of an article that was originally published in the Oct. 4, 2001, Lake Geneva Regional News, under the headline, “Resort plays host to TV show.”
Gallery: Big-time performers who rocked Lake Geneva area
Stevie Wonder
When he was 19, R&B legend Stevie Wonder performed at the Riviera Ballroom in Lake Geneva.
Chris Pizzello, contributed
Jazz & more at 'The Pier'
Once known as The Pier, Lake Geneva’s Riviera Ballroom hosted performances by legends in jazz and R&B.
Steve Targo, Regional News
Cheap Trick
In 1994, Cheap Trick played the Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn. Then, in 1998, they performed at Burlington’s ChocolateFest.
Paul Jeffers, contribuyed
The Monkees
The Monkees — (from left) Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork — played in and around the Lake Geneva area more than once.
Jeff Daly, contributed
A popular Midwestern venue
Majestic Bandstand was part of Majestic Hills in the town of Linn, where the Stevie Wonder, the Monkees, R.E.O. Speedwagon and others once performed.
Submitted photo, Grunow family collection
Majestic's 1969 concert schedule — Part 1
A page of the concert schedule for the Majestic Bandstand, where big-name artists once performed.
Submitted, Grunow family collection
Majestic's 1969 concert schedule — Part 2
Imagine seeing these musicians, in their heyday, at these prices.
Submitted photo, Grunow family collection
Janis Joplin
On Aug. 31, 1969, Janis Joplin was listed as “tentative” on the concert schedule at the Majestic Bandstand. But she played a festival in Texas on Aug. 30.
AP, contributed
Monkees, Association & Herman's Hermits
The Monkees, The Association and Herman’s Hermits all performed at the Playboy Club, which is now Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, in the town of Lyons.
File photo, Regional News
The Beach Boys
From the 1960s on through the 2000s, the Beach Boys played throughout the Lake Geneva area. Pictured here are (from left) Al Jardine, Mike Love, David Marks and Bruce Johnston.
Ross D. Franklin, contributed
Classic rock & country artists in Williams Bay
The Beach Boys performed at George Williams College, in Williams Bay, as did the Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Loggins and Blood, Sweat & Tears.
Bill Murray — seen here arriving on the red carpet Oct. 19, 2019, for his lecture at the Rome Film Fest in Rome — filmed a Comedy Central TV show in Lake Geneva with three of his brothers.
Joel Murray was director and producer of “The Sweet Spot,” as well as one of its stars. Here is he seen at the 25th annual Critics’ Choice Awards Jan. 12, 2020, in Santa Monica, California.
(Left) Brian Doyle-Murray — seen here with Steve Byrne at the TNT and TBS 2013 Upfront at the Hammerstein Ballroom May 15, 2013, in New York — was also in “The Sweet Spot,” which was partly filmed at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa.
