Seattle is a music town with deep roots that have influenced the culture and identity of its civic life for decades. While today the city is most famous for the 1990's grunge rock era, the culturally diverse music scenes and popular musicians that came before are often overlooked in historical accounts of the city. Kurt Armbruster fills in that knowledge gap in this far-reaching and entertaining panorama of Seattle music from 1850 to 1980, "before Seattle rocked."

Kurt Armbruster is a Seattle native and graduate of the University of Washington who has enjoyed careers as a locomotive engineer, photo finisher, and musician. He is the author of numerous books, including Before Seattle Rocked, A City and its Music. 

Enjoy 15% off your hotel stay on History Pub nights! Show your ticket at check-in.

These events are open to everyone interested in Pacific Northwest history, and beyond! Often co-sponsored by local or state historical and civic organizations, we bring you experts, scholars, first-person experiencers, historians and documentaries expounding on topics from indigenous history to the birth of Portland, early explorers to hop growing, and on and on! It's like being back in the classroom - except this time you get to settle into comfortable seats and enjoy a drink or two with dinner while you listen and learn.

This event is eligible for a History Pub Stamp