Although it has not hosted a major concert since a Rolling Stones show taped for MTV back in 1997, the storied Capitol Theater in Port Chester, New York will re-open in mid-2012. Brooklyn Bowl/Wetlands Preserve owner Peter Shapiro will take the helm of the venue, which began its life in 1926 as a movie theater during the classic era of the picture palaces. The theater gained a new life in the early 1970’s hosting such artists as the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin (her second-to-last show), David Bowie, Santana, Pink Floyd and Derek & The Dominos. Then, after a fallow period, it experienced a new heyday in the early 90s through performances by Phish, Blues Traveler, Max Creek and other acts. Shapiro, who is also the publisher of Relix explains his plans for the 1,835-capacity venue: “The Capitol Theatre is a rock and roll icon and we are going to treat her as such. We are going to spoil her and give her the best of everything ’ the best sound, the best lights, and the best video projection technology of any theatre anywhere.  Our plan is to turn the knob to 11 in every way possible.”

The New York Times posted a feature on the return of the Cap this morning and look for our own conversation with Shapiro to run later today.