Mpls Music History
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mplsmusichistory.bsky.social
Mpls Music History
@mplsmusichistory.bsky.social
1K followers 12 following 960 posts
The people, places, and sounds of music in Minneapolis, generally prior to 2000.
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On this date: November 10, 1968. The Doors at Minneapolis Auditorium. Image from Twin Cities Music Scene ‘70s-‘80s FB page.
Poster with: DOORS SUNDAY, NOV. 10-8 P.M. MINNEAPOLIS AUDITORIUM ALL SEATS RESERVED $5.50-$4.50-$3.50 TAX INCL. Tickets now on sale at DAYTON'S, all stores, 332-6123 and MPLS. AUD. BOX OFFICE, Lobby E (Grant St. Ent.) MAIL ORDERS MAKE AUD. REMITTANCE NP.S， 55403. PAYABLE TO 'TRIANGLE PRODUCTIONS? PLEASE ENCLOSE MPLS. STAMPED, SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE
November 11, 2025 at 3:06 AM
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Image pasted together from 1970 photos as posted on Old Defunct Record Stores page on FB.
7th & Hennepin photo pasted together from multiple photos, with Music City store at center.
November 10, 2025 at 3:01 PM
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Part of an ad for Music City’s 1st anniversary. Minneapolis Star, November 10, 1960.
"The Largest Record Selection From New York to Los Angeles" MUSIC CITY Seventh and Hennepin, Minneapolis FE 2-4405 Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday thru Thursday 9 a.m. to Midnight Fri. & Sat.
November 10, 2025 at 3:01 PM
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In the “Miracle Year” booklet, there are a few paragraphs from Bob Mehr about Nicollet Studios in Minneapolis. Hüsker Dü’s last four studio albums were recorded there.
In July of 1984, just as Zen Arcade was reaching stores, Spot flew out to Minneapolis to begin work on Hüsker Dus follow-up, New Day Rising, at Nicollet Studios. Located in South Minneapolis, Nicollet had a rich history. Originally built as a vaudeville theater in 1914, it lingered as a movie house until 1955 when it was transformed into one of Minnesotas first commercial studios by legendary engineer Bruce Swedien (Nat King Cole, B.B. King, Michael Jackson). A couple years later it was purchased by a group that included Amos Heilicher, head of Minneapolis's SOMA Records. In the 1960s, the renamed Kay-Bank studios turned out several major hits including Dave Dudley's "Six Days on the Road," the Trashmen's "Surfin' Bird," and the Castaways "Liar Liar." The studio continued under various owners and names until 1984, when Paul Stark, co-owner of Minneapolis indie Twin/Tone Records, took over operations. Longtime Twin/Tone engineer Steve Fielstad-who'd worked on the earliest Hüsker Dü recording sessions at Blackberry Way studios in 1980-came on board to run the studio. Nicollet was an expansive two-story complex, with three tracking rooms downstairs, and offices upstairs. Hüsker Dü would eventually rent space in the studios annex, making it the band's de facto headquarters. "Studio B, where New Day Rising was recorded, was kind of a dump," Fjelstad admitted. "It was a recording studio, but I don't think they used it as much as the big room, Studio A, in the back of the building." For the sessions, Hüsker Dü would be cutting in the B Room on a newly installed Soundcraft console. "I'd just picked up that board in Texas," recalled Fjelstad. "New Day Rising was one of the first, if not the first, project we recorded on that."
November 9, 2025 at 11:41 PM
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Nice-looking blue and white vinyl!
Blue and white record from Hüsker Dü’s box set “1985: The Miracle Year”
November 9, 2025 at 10:51 PM
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Sean Blackburn opened the shows at The Whole. Here is a story from the Star Tribune on Oct. 6, 2005, noting Blackburn’s death. Van Zandt and Blackburn both died when they were in their 50s.
Sean Blackburn, western singer The Anoka native performed western swing music in coffee houses in the Twin Cities and around much of the United States. By Ben Cohen Star Tribune Staff Writer Sean Blackburn, who sang western-swing tunes in West Bank coffeehouses and on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" radio show in the 1970s and '80s, died of a heart attack in Golden, Colo., on Sept. 29. The guitar player, singer and comedian was 56. "He was a marvelous singer. Some would call him a crooner," said his former musical partner, Dakota Dave Hull, who recalled their duo gigs together on Keillor's show, at folk festivals and at West Bank and college stages such as the Coftee House Extempore from 1975 to 1984. Blackburn and Hull sang regularly on "A Prairie Home Companion" in its early years, said Keillor, who sang a song about Blackburn on last week's show after learning of his death. Keillor recalled Blackburn wearing his "big white hat and an enormous moustache, and was the heartthrob of hundreds of women. Attendance was always high on the Saturdays when Sean sang," he said. After the duo broke up and Blackburn left the Twin Cities, he and Hull contin- Sean Blackburn ued to play together, here or in Denver, every year or so. Blackburn's musical partner since 1988. Liz Masterson, said that he had kept growing musically and personally over the years. "He was at the top of his game, and he was in a happy, happy place," Masterson said. The Liz Masterson-Sean Blackburn duo had staged their harmonic act in 38 states and in Canada, even playing at such venues as Lincoln Center in New York and the Kennedy Center in Washington, she said. *He was a soulful guitarist. The musical notes he put together were like no one else's,* Masterson said. Blackburn also performed a comedy routine, drawing rope tricks, guitar playing and storytelling from his Minnesota roots and large family. He also worked as a Web page designer. Masterson said that one of Blackburn's best friends …
November 9, 2025 at 5:33 PM
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From the Minneapolis Tribune on November 4, 1973. In addition to this ad, I also found one that references a performance at the student union at Macalester College on 11-7-73.
Townes Van Zandt and Sean Blackburn, 8:30 p.m., Whole Coffeehouse. Coffman Union, University of Minnesota.
November 9, 2025 at 5:33 PM
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On this date: November 9, 1973. Townes Van Zandt performed at The Whole Coffeehouse on Coffman Union at the University of Minnesota. He apparently also played the following day. The show on the 9th is widely available. Here is an ad in the Minnesota Daily the day of that performance.
THE WHOLE COFFEEHOUSE PRESENTS: Friday and Saturday November 9-10 Townes Van Zandt "Townes' quiet unassuming voice and guitar come across like a fresh prairie breeze. And if there were any justice in this world, he'd be a star. Rolling Stone and Sean Blackburn Admission $1.50 Sunday, November 11 Folk Festival with Scott Alarik, Robert Patrick and Phinney & Co. WHOLE COFFEEHOUSE Basement of Coffman Union 373-0373 Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Admission $1.00
November 9, 2025 at 5:33 PM
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Photo of Curtis A
November 8, 2025 at 4:39 PM
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Review continued…
His flair as a songwriter is apparent on the potent second side as "Dark Shades On, " a sassy blues swing, and "Jelly B. Bop," a rocka-Billy shuffle, kick off the fun. Curt and various sidemen keep on rockin' all the way to the finale, "Humans As Art; Art as Humor," a theme song in which he sings "ar. tistically I'm classless and free." Indeed, some of Curt's songs are classless and free. In fact, selections such as the 70-minute rockabilly romp "Kickin'" and the brief instrumental "Creeps" sound more like takes or jams than full songs. Sometimes, Curt's work begs for a producer or manager who is not a personal friend and who can keep a critical distance. Perhaps that's why none of the tracks here pack the punch of Curt's recent singles, "Land of the Free" and "I Don't Wanna Be President." Admittedly, though, local producer Paul Stark has improved; this album does not sound as tinny as his other efforts. Yet, the sound at times could be fuller. ***.
November 8, 2025 at 4:39 PM
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Job Bream’s review of Curtis A’s “Courtesy” album. Minneapolis Star, Nov. 4, 1980.
Jon Bream Twin Cities' rocker Curtiss A records his first album at last It has been a disappointing year for albums. But with the gift-giv-ing, holiday season approaching, the quality of albums is picking up. To whit: CURTISS A. "Courtesy" (Twin Tone). For a long time, I've felt that Curt Almsted, a.k.a. Curtiss A, was the best rock 'n' roll singer in the Twin Cities. And for a long time, his fans have been waiting for his debut album. (They're also waiting for him to put together a new band.) This 15-song, 38-min-ute collection won't disappoint Curt's fans, but it won't likely gain him national recognition either. "Courtesy" is a winning rock-meets-pop record. The cover is ter-rific—a pimply-faced close-up of Curt screaming (the back cover captures part of the singer's collection of pop-culture buttons). The music is basically guitar and vo-cals. It jumps, shouts and goes for the throat. It's mostly hard-edged stuff, though the singer tries a lit-tie tenderness, too. Curt shows his remarkable vocal chops on "Right in the Eyes," a rocker about lost love. and "Ride Away," a Springsteen-like ballad. He manifests his skill as a lyricist on the Elvis Costello-like "To Be Happy Too" and the dark, convoluted "Afraid."
November 8, 2025 at 4:39 PM
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TIL that at least one couple, two members of Wilma and the Wilbers, held their wedding at Zoogies (former Jay’s Longhorn). From the Minneapolis Star, Nov. 14, 1980.
A note of musical matrimony: Cathy Mason and Rob Van Vrankin of Wilma & the Wilburs (she's Wilma and he's not) will tie the knot at 9:30 p.m. Sunday at Zoogies, 14 S. Fifth St. Admission is free and so is the cham-pagne. The music starts at 8 p.m. with Safety Last. - Jon Bream
November 8, 2025 at 4:33 PM
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Limited-edition Prince library card from Hennepin County Library.
Library card with Purple background and photo of Prince. Hennepin County Library Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today... to introduce a limited-edition Prince library card! Sign up for your first card, or replace your existing one, while supplies last. Learn more at www.hclib.org/prince or visit any of our 41 locations. LIMITED-EDITION Prince library card PHOTO BY NANCY BUNDT. 1985 Hennepin County Library
November 7, 2025 at 10:02 PM
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Look what just showed up on my doorstep! Numero 250: Hüsker Dü “1985: The Miracle Year” four LPs. #huskerdu
Front cover of Hüsker Dü “1985: The Miracle Year” box set, edict includes a photo with Greg Norton, Grant Hart, and Bob Mould. Front cover of Hüsker Dü “1985: The Miracle Year” box set which includes the band’s logo.
November 6, 2025 at 3:34 PM
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Here’s something:
fivebands.com/2016/05/07/r...
November 5, 2025 at 11:46 PM
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Goofy’s Upper Deck music calendar for the first part of November 1982. Loud Fast Rules on the 5th. I assume that Nov 12th show was the first Meat Puppets performance in Minneapolis.
GOOFY’S UPPER DECK THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4 • JUST BACK FROM THE EAST COAST THE SPECIMENS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS THE PREPS One Buck Cover 8-9:30 • 75' Top Beer all night • 2 for / 8-10 p.m. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5 LOUD FAST RULES PLUS THE NEGLECTORS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6 WHITE TRASH PLUS RIFLE SPORT From Boulder, Colorado • 2 Shows 6-9:30 No ID's required, 2rd show ID's please TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 • HELLO DARLIN' - IT'S CONWAY AND THE HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIALS EVERY THURSDAY IS REGGAE NIGHT • NOVEMBER 11 SWEET TASTE OF AFRIKA FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12 • FROM PHOENIX MEAT PUPPETS WITH GROUND ZERO SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13 • 2 SHOWS DIE KREUZEN PLUS TAR BABIES FROM MILWAUKEE FROM MADISON Friday & Saturday are T-shirt Nights. Buy a drink & you're eligible to win a new Upper Deck T-shirt. 2 for 1.8-10 p.m BLUE MONDAY JAM SESSION! MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8 BIG WALTER BLUES BAND 654 2nd Ave.W., Mpls., MN 332-1918 - 2 blocks north of Hennepin on 7th
November 5, 2025 at 5:19 PM
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The other side of the flyer: Outcry, Blind Approach, Disturbed, and Blind Fury at the 7th Street Entry on Nov 28, 1987.
MMA SHOWCASE MUSIC SERIES '87 ALL AGE SHOW 2:00 PM OUTCRY BLIND APPROACH DISTURBED BLIND FURY SATURDAY NOVEMBER 28 FIRSTAVENUE 2IS entry The Downtown Danceteria 1st Ave. N. & 7th St.: Mpts
November 4, 2025 at 5:43 PM
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November 1987 at First Avenue & 7th Street Entry. From my collection.
Music calendar for First Avenue & 7th Street Entry for November 1987.
November 4, 2025 at 5:43 PM
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Two of Corrigan’s photos made it onto the record’s insert.
Two members of the band Johnny Rey and the Reaction, as pictured on the insert to their record, with photos credited to Dan Corrigan.
November 4, 2025 at 4:13 PM
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On this date: November 3, 1984. Legendary show with Dead Kennedys, Hüsker Dü, and Otto’s Chemical Lounge at the Armory. Flyer images from Hüsker Dü Database and TCPunk.
Orange/yellow flyer with: DEAD KENNEDYS SAT NOV 3RD. AT 8:00 NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY 500 S. 6TH ST. MPLS WITH VERY SPECIAL GUESTS HUSHER DU & OTTO’S CHEMICAL LOUNGE TICKETS $6.00 AT OARFOLK AND NORTHERN LIGHTS $700 NO II. - DOOR NO B00ZE D. ROTH 84 A RÁVZ PRODUCTION Flyer with: DEAD KENNEDYS HÜSKER DÜ OTTO'S CHEMiCAL LOUNGE A RAVEZ PRODUCTION! SATURDAY NOV 3RD $6.00ADVANCE $7.00DOOR DOORS OPEN AT 8:00l MUSIC STARTS AT8:30 MINNEAPOLISI NATIONAL GAURD ARVIORY 500S. 6th ST.I Tickets on sale at: Northern Lights & Oar folk jokopus.
November 3, 2025 at 2:27 PM
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Just unsealed and played this 41-year-old Johnny Rey and the Reaction record for the first time. Minneapolis power pop from 1984.
Album cover of “More Than I Can Do” album by Johnny Rey and the Reaction. Album cover features Johnny Rey sitting by a table with a lamp and old radio with a clock.
November 3, 2025 at 3:39 AM
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On this date: November 2, 1995. Lifter Puller at the Uptown Bar, presented by Rev 105.
November 1, 1995 CITY PAGES 49 At the Uptown Bar and Cafe Minneapolis Wednesday, Nov. 1 Sunday, Nov. 5 Wicked Wednesday Touch & Go Recording Artists KING CAN SEAM AND WITH COOPER Merge Recording Artists SPENT Thursday, Nov. 2 REV105 presents LIFTER PULLER Monday, Nov. 6 Not New Band Nite AND CANDY MACHINE Crypt Recording Artists Friday, Nov. 3 NEW BOMB TURKS WITH TEENGENERATE TENDERLOIN WITH CYCLONE RANGERS AND SPECIAL GUESTS Tuesday, Nov. 7 Saturday, Nov. 4 Cafe Tuesday THE STUART MARTZ BAND PETE McCAULY AND WITH ALGORYTHMS MANDY HORACK 3018 Henn. Ave., Mpls
November 2, 2025 at 3:21 PM
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Bloodshot! The Gaity Records Story, Volume 1. Bashin’ Rock N’ Roll from America’s Most Primitive Label. B
Album cover for a record album featuring bands who recorded for Gaity Records. The band String Kings featured on the cover.
November 2, 2025 at 12:33 AM
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October 1983 at First Avenue & 7th Street Entry. From the Minnesota Music Archive.
Music calendar for 1983 at First Avenue & 7th Street Entry. Some shows: The Time on the 4th. X on the 16th. Jonathan Richman on Halloween.
November 1, 2025 at 3:37 AM
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Halloween 1980 at Zoogies (former Jay’s Longhorn) featured Flamin’ Oh’s and The Replacements with a “Dead Rock Star Look Alike Contest.” I wonder if Westerberg dressed up like anyone. Image from Hüsker Dü Database.
October 31, 2025 at 1:59 PM