History of Seattle Music
The Seattle music scene has a long, rich history that still is at the forefront of music today. As Seattle was growing back in the 1800s and early 1900s, live entertainment was hired by many business owners to entertain their customers. When immigrants began moving into the area, they brought their own cultural music and blended it with the local music style for unique new sounds. Early 1900s Seattle entertainment featured many vaudeville troupes and was a popular stop for the American folk scene, including Woody Guthrie, who stayed in the area frequently, and local folk singer Ivar Haglund who went on to start the Ivar’s chain of seafood restaurants. Even one of the first electric guitars was invented by Seattle musician Paul Tutmarc. He created the Audiovox line. Then Harvey Hansen borrowed from Audiovox to make his own Hanburt electric guitars for only a few years, which are very rare today.
If you love music information and history, Seattle history, or just love to listen to music, check out these other contributions to Seattle music and history. The Showbox –Seattle’s famed concert hall, The Showbox, has been around since 1939 and has hosted musical talent ranging from jazz with Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie to The Police, Devo, Iggy Pop, to the other end of the music spectrum with hardcore punk inspired grunge band Pearl Jam. Showbox at the Market is the original Showbox, but now also has a recent sibling, Showbox SoDo, which has already featured Kid Rock, Heart, and M.I.A as some of their top-name musical performers. Experience Music Project – Seattle’s music museum with a range of exhibits from the traditional look-only exhibits to the full hands-on experience. View the Jimi Hendrix (another score for musicians starting in Seattle!) memorabilia collection belonging to Microsoft executive, Paul Allen. Also, view early electric guitars, famous hand-written lyric sheets, costumes and more. Once you’re done touring the exhibits on the main level, you can go upstairs to learn how to play an instrument, perform in front of a live audience, and make your own music CD. Many music programs are offered to aspiring musicians. Seattle Channel – Channel 21 on cable TV features local music information on The Local Music Show, which investigates the changing directions of the Seattle music scene. Bumbershoot - The annual Labor Day festival draws top name musicians along with other artists. At Bumbershoot, you can listen to music from a variety of genres, from assorted nationalities, and in various stages of fame, from up and coming local musicians to international stars. Seattle Casinos - Casinos have become quite popular in the last 10 years or so. Casinos offer a wide variety of entertainment, dining, gambling and lodging. They have opened the door for cover bands, rock bands, tribute acts and national acts. Click here for a list of casinos in Seattle and surrounding areas that offer live entertainment.
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Skip ahead to the 1970’s when the punk rock counterculture grabbed Seattle music. Next, the 1980s brought about the grunge music scene – music inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock. Soundgarden was an early grunge band, followed by Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Grunge music has faded, but Seattle music still makes an impact all around the world. 
