Thomas Beechman | Bettmann/Corbis

1903

Conductor Sir Thomas Beecham received credit for developing the skill and reputation of the early Seattle Symphony (*200 University St; seattlesymphony.org), where world-class acts continue to dazzle audiences.

Jimi Hendrix, 1968 | Warner/Reprise Records

1968

Jimi Hendrix played at Seattle Center, his first hometown show since becoming a rock legend. Pay homage at Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) (*325 Fifth Ave N; mopop.org) and Jimi Hendrix Park (2400 S Massachusetts St).

Sir Mix-a-Lot | New Millenium/Creative Commons

1988

Seattle native Sir Mix-A-Lot stuck it to rival MCs with his hit “Posse on Broadway.” The black Benz limo stops at Dick’s Drive-In (*various locations; ddir.com) burger joint on Capitol Hill, where “the cool hang out.”

Nirvana | Julie Kramer/Creative Commons

1991

On the cusp of commercial success, grunge pioneer Nirvana performed Nevermind at the Paramount Theatre (*H911 Pine St; stgpresents.org). The show was recorded on 16mm film and described as “the end of an era” for the local band.

Macklemore | San Francisco Foghorn/Wikimedia Commons

2011

Homegrown boys Macklemore and Ryan Lewis kicked off their first multicity tour at The Showbox (*1426 First Ave; showboxpresents.com), where legends from Duke Ellington to Lady Gaga have performed.

Mudhoney | Paul-Blackwood/Creative Commons

2013

As part of 25th-anniversary celebrations for pioneering indie rock label Sub Pop Records, Mudhoney played atop the Space Needle on July 11. Check out the Sub Pop Shop (SEA Airport Concourse C and 2130 Seventh Ave; subpop.com) for music, band T-shirts, and posters.

2020

After taking home three Grammy Awards in 2019, local singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile teamed up with the remaining members of Soundgarden to re-record “Black Hole Sun” and “Searching with My Good Eye Closed.” See where she got her start busking at Pike Place Market (*85 Pike St; pikeplacemarket.org).

*Visit Seattle Partner