In 1998, the local promoter Contemporary Group, who built the amphitheater, was acquired by SFX.
Shortly after opening, the amphitheater became the site of the infamous Riverport Riot, July 2, 1991, during a Guns N' Roses concert, during their Use Your Illusion Tour. The venue was built for approximately $12 million, and opened on June 14, 1991, with a performance by Steve Winwood. The Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre (originally Riverport Amphitheatre and formerly the UMB Bank Pavilion and Verizon Wireless Amphitheater) is an outdoor concert venue in Maryland Heights, Missouri, near St. Verizon Wireless Amphitheater (2007–2014)
