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Minnesota Music Notes celebrating noteworthy songs, artists, and musical performances

Minnesota Music Notes: Stories from First Avenue | celebrating noteworthy artists, people and moments that shaped the history of Minnesota’s Mainroom First Avenue

Minnesota Music Notes: Seasons 1 & 2 | celebrating noteworthy songs, artists, and musical performances from Minnesota

MN Music Notes: Keith Secola

Born and raised in Cook, Minnesota on the Boise Forte Reservation, musician Keith Secola has an intimate relationship with Anishinabe culture.  Producer Daniel Zamzow looks at the genre Secola calls “Native Americana” is a musical journey that spans the past, present, and future.

The Return of the Prince

In Minneapolis, you couldn’t think of First Ave without thinking of Prince. But by 2007 the funk-rock icon hadn’t played there two decades when the club got a call. Britt Aamodt looks back at the return of the reigning Prince.

Triple Threat

In 1996, the Fugees were touring on the biggest single of its career. The Roots were an eclectic hip-hop band finally breaking into the top twenty. And Goodie Mob was the new group with a rapper named Cee-Lo Green. Britt Aamodt looks at the night this powerhouse triple bill took over First Ave.

Hip-Hop Avenue

Who knew that when a new Minneapolis indie hip-hop label formed in 1995, it would find a home at the city’s most legendary rock club? Here’s Britt Aamodt with the story of Rhymesayers Entertainment and First Avenue.

Conrad with the Red Dreds

For many touring acts playing First Avenue/7th Street Entry, the club was embodied by a single man. Britt Aamodt takes a look behind the scenes with production manager Conrad Sverkerson.


Husker Du’s First Show at the 7th Street Entry

Hardcore punk group Husker Du formed in St. Paul in 1979. Within a year, the band was headlining the new side stage at Sam’s (First Avenue), the 7th Street Entry. Britt Aamodt has the history of one of the music acts that defined First Avenue in the 1980s.

Hey, Mr. DJ

Britt Aamodt takes a look at music club First Avenue from the perspective of the DJ, who kept the music spinning during the ’70 disco era, crowd-tested new Prince singles and, until its closure in 2016, headlined the club’s VIP/Record Room.

From Zuzu’s Petals to Petal Pusher

Laurie Lindeen’s health scare made her reassess life. What did she want to do? Start a band. Britt Aamodt has the story of Zuzu’s Petals.

The Prince Night That Almost Was

It was 2010 and Minnesota supergroup GAYNGS was hosting a CD release party at First Ave, when Prince appeared side stage. Britt Aamodt recounts what happened next.

The Greyhound Years

Before First Avenue was a club, it was a bus terminal. Britt Aamodt looks at the origins of the Greyhound Northland Bus Depot.

First Avenue Is Dead

David Carr put it this way in his New York Times column: First Avenue Is Dead (Long Live First Avenue). Britt Aamodt looks at the bankruptcy that nearly closed the iconic club for good in 2004.

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McKnight FoundationMN Legacy