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State of the Arts Blog
Marianne Combs

First Avenue: A look back at the first 20 years

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First Avenue is legendary across the nation as a venue for die-hard music lovers and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Today folks are showing up for bands like The Gaslight Anthem. Gay Beast and The National. But back in the 70s and 80s you could hear not just Prince, but the Ramones, R.E.M, James Brown and Public Enemy.

MPR's Bill Wareham took this look at First Avenue's musical history in 1990, and for the venue's younger devotees, it offers a window into the club's own adolescent days. For the older set, it's a nostalgic trip back into their rebel youth. Enjoy!