If you think this city* never rocked before 1989 and hasn’t since 1994, listen up: Loud, loose guitar and heavy percussion have been a staple in these parts since 1960—and still are today. Seattle’s been the geographic stage-setter, too, for many a rock superstar. Want proof? Just go back in time.
May 12, 1967
The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s debut album, Are You Experienced, is released in the UK
Seattle’s native son of psychedelic rock, Jimi Hendrix, achieved fame in Europe with his trio’s debut—before anyone back home knew he’d even formed a band across the pond. Says local rock historian, author, and “Archaeologist” Peter Blecha: It’s “fun to recall that here in Seattle nobody had any inkling of what was about to be unleashed. While a few old-time musicians (Jimi’s boyhood friends and bandmates) have told me that they’d maybe heard some rumors that Hendrix had done OK for himself on the national R&B circuit, they had no idea that he’d made it to England and was now fronting a hippie ‘Power Trio.’ Monterey Pop Fest didn’t happen until June, and AYE wasn’t issued in the U.S. until August—so even with ‘Purple Haze’ starting to get some radio airplay, few if anyone had yet connected the dots that this British Jimi Hendrix guy was the same skinny teen who’d played ‘Louie Louie’ in a few local bands before disappearing in 1961.” Ironically, when AYE was finally released in the U.S., the original tracks had been switched up and partially swapped out with other songs; against Hendrix’s wishes, the bluesy “Red House” was left off the album per Reprise, as the label felt that “America does not like blues.” Though the tide would soon change in the U.S., even Seattle was initially miffed. “The very first newspaper ad touting a Seattle concert by the new star managed to get it all wrong: it stated that ‘Jimmy Hendricks’ would soon be performing at The Eagles Auditorium (7th & Union) with Moby Grape (an S.F.-based band that included a few members of Seattle’s pioneering 1950s band, the Frantics). That never happened. Instead, a full half-year later (in early 1968) the Experience played the Seattle Center Arena with a couple Brit bands opening,” says Blecha.
May 13, 1992
Pearl Jam’s MTV Unplugged airs for the first time
Recorded nearly two months earlier in Queens, NY, the 30-minute show left 20 more on the cutting room floor. The aired set features Ten hits “Even Flow,” “Alive” and a “fuck”-less “Jeremy.” Singer Eddie Vedder marks “Pro Choice” on his arm during “Porch.” The show is never (officially) released as an album.
May 14, 1977
Heart’s Little Queen released following record label drama
Former Heart label Mushroom Records’ publicity stunt—suggesting sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson were lovers—resulted in Ann writing the album’s big (angry) hit “Barracuda,” which helped propel Little Queen to #9 on the Billboard chart. The song becomes a rock classic.
May 14, 1996
Soundgarden’s final studio album, Down on the Upside, released on vinyl
Less than a year following the acclaimed Platinum release, and after a frustrating Lollapalooza appearance, the band breaks up. Its members—frontman Chris Cornell, guitarist Kim Thayil, bassist Ben Shepherd, drummer Matt Cameron—splinter off to work on separate, disparate projects.
May 16, 2000
The No WTO Combo releases Live From the Battle in Seattle
On November 30, 1999, World Trade Organization officials convened in Seattle under a hail of riots and rubber bullets. The next day, Krist Novoselic, Kim Thayil, Jello Biafra, and Gina Mainwal played one live gig as the Combo. The show was recorded and is later mixed by Jack Endino for the album’s release.
Happy B-day: Krist Novoselic (May 16)
*During its grunge days, “Seattle” was anywhere from Aberdeen to Ellensburg. That’s our measurement.
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