As the Birthplace of Grunge, Seattle skyrocketed into the musical stratospheres in the 90’s. But, Seattle’s music history goes even deeper. Its legendary locals list includes Jimi Hendrix, Ann and Nancy Wilson (Heart), Chris Cornell, Quincy Jones and Kenny G. As a local, I became inspired by the Jimi Hendrix Memorial to explore further the Seattle music legacy. So, join me at all these sites on my own Seattle grunge and rock tour.
Book at Seattle’s Edgewater Hotel
Known for Its Famous Musician Guests
The ultimate Seattle Grunge and Rock Tour wouldn’t be complete without a stay (or at least visit) at Seattle’s only waterfront hotel, The Edgewater Seattle. Even though it was built for the 1962 World’s Fair, it was Beatlemania in 1964 that put the Edgewater on the map. The Beatles famously stayed here with photos of them fishing out their hotel room windows. The Edgewater commemorates this room and offers The Beatles Suite for reservations.
Other famous musicians that stayed at the Edgewater include Nirvana, Elvis Presly, The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Led Zeppelin, Steve Wonder, Ray Charles, The Supremes, Willie Nelson and many more. Nirvana’s interview recorded at Edgewater is one of their most personal and honest interviews made.
There’s even a separate band entrance for those that want to enter, keeping under a low profile. Also, the hotel offers free, two-hour rentals of Orangewood guitars.
Seattle Grunge and Rock Music Tour
Jimi Hendrix Landmarks
Even though Seattle is most known for Grunge, one of the biggest rock stars born here is Jimi Hendrix. He lived there until 18 years old. Interestingly, as a musician, Jimi never learned how to read music. Many consider him the greatest guitar player of all time. Jimi’s musical genre is a blend of psychedelic rock, hard rock and blues-rock.
Jimi Hendrix Memorial
Unfortunately, he died way too soon in 1970, halting his 4-year meteoric career by joining the 27 Club. Between 1969 – 71, Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Janice Joplin and Jim Morrison all died at the age of 27.
The Jimi Hendrix Memorial is at Greenwood Memorial Park in Renton, about 30 minutes south of Seattle. The memorial is as flamboyant as Jimi’s music and designed for pilgrimages. It displays a marble gazebo with columns and etched portraits and songs. The large statue of his electric guitar is in the center. Many fans left behind offerings of colorful guitar picks, dried flowers, joints and notes.
Purple trimmed sidelines flank the entrance path, highlighting one of his greatest hits:
Purple Haze
Purple haze all in my brain
Lately, things just don’t seem the same
Actin’ funny but I don’t know why
‘Scuse me while I kiss the sky.
Jimi Hendrix Park
In Seattle’s Central District, near I-90 is the Jimi Hendrix Park. It’s located next to the Northwest African American Museum in a neighborhood where Jimi grew up. At the entrance on 25th Avenue S. and Massachusetts is his signature. Then, you can follow the purple edges of the sidewalk with lyrics from songs etched in the ground. Also, the park has a Jimi Hendrix Rain Garden. A waved shadow wall with his portrait on it stands in the middle of the park.
This is a lovely park and green space with lots of benches. It is a wonderful place to muse on his life and accomplishments and even learn more at the nearby museum. Overall, if you are short on time, this may be a more practical visit to honor Jimi than making your way 30 minutes south in Renton.
Jimi Hendrix Sculpture in Capitol Hill
In Capitol Hill, there is a life-size bronzed sculpture of Jimi at the intersection of Broadway and Pine Streets. It’s named The Electric Lady Studio Guitar, portraying him in an iconic pose playing a Fender Stratocaster. It’s the work of sculptor Daryl Smith.
Nearby, at Seattle Central College is a sculpture of Chuck Berry playing the guitar, also by Daryl Smith.
Related: 30 Must-See Places in Seattle, Washington from a Local
MoPOP – Museum of Pop Culture
In Seattle Center, next to the Space Needle is the colorful Museum of Pop Culture. This modern museum features exhibits and displays on music, science fiction, fantasy and horror.
From Soundgarden’s Rusty Cage
When the forest burns along the road
Like God’s eyes in my headlights
And when the dogs are looking for their bones
And it’s raining icepicks on your steel shore.
Outside the entrance is the Chris Cornell Memorial Statue. This life size bronze sculpture commemorates the late Soundgarden front man, another Seattle local. Inside the museum is the 2-storey high Guitar Sculpture. It displays hundreds of guitars and other musical instruments.
The Guitar Gallery features legendary musicians’ guitars, such as, Kurt Cobain’s Fender Stratocaster. Also, the Hendrix Abroad exhibit features him as a musical nomad, performing more than 500 times in 15 countries at his peak. It also displays his guitar used at his meteoric performance at Woodstock.
What is Grunge and Sub Pop?
Grunge was an underground genre in the Seattle area in the 80’s and 90’s, that fused punk rock and heavy metal. Its music was a voice for Generation X. The lyrics expressed a counterculture who was angry with sparks of satirical humor. Themes included self-doubt, abuse, betrayal and addiction. Underneath it, seemed to be a crying out for freedom from mainstream superficialities. The moody Seattle climate with its cloudy days and rain was the perfect environment from which this genre to bloom.
Sub Pop is an independent record label, that started in Seattle in 1986. It signed on Nirvana, Mudhoney and the Melvins. Nirvana’s release of Nevermind in 1991, carried the underground movement into the mainstream. It wasn’t long before everyone was out buying their flannel shirts and thrift clothing to be cool. There is a new Sub Pop on 7th Store in Seattle’s Belltown with the record label and grunge memorabilia.
Perhaps, Kurt Cobain’s heroin addiction and suicide in 1994 marked the dying voice of the Grunge Movement. The demons unsettled the best of Generation X, and it was time to transform into our higher selves. Thus, the New Age Movement was born. I won’t digress here, but can’t you just feel another blog coming?
Kurt Cobain Memorial Bench and Home
Come as you are, as you were
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend
As an old enemy
Take your time, hurry up
Choice is yours, don’t be late
Take a rest as a friend
As an old memoria
Kurt Cobain was born in Aberdeen, Washington. His formative musical years were also in Olympia. Later, the band moved to the Seattle scene, signing on with Sub Pop Records.
In Aberdeen is a Kurt Cobain Memorial Park. Seattle offers its own makeshift memorial at Viretta Park, adjacent to the final home of Kurt Cobain. The park’s wooden bench facing Lake Washington Blvd. serves as a memorial to Kurt, covered in graffiti messages. Nirvana fans gather at the park on the anniversary of Kurt’s birthday on February 20 and death on April 5. His last home is within sight from the bench. However, its high hedges block being able to fully see it.
Iconic Seattle Musical Venues
Central Saloon – In Pioneer Square, this venue has a fascinating history. From a Skid Row eatery to the Birthplace of Grunge, this place churned out many legends. In the 80’s, it hosted many of the Grunge bands, such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Mudhoney.
The Crocodile – In Belltown, the was the scene for a performance in the 90’s Cameron Crowe movie, Singles. Throughout the years this venue hosted legends, such as, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, REM and Billie Elish.
The Moore Theater – Also in Belltown, this is the oldest active theater in Seattle. It hosted the Who’s Rock Opera, Tommy in 1971. Later, it hosted Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. As a side note, the building is said to be haunted, as it was built over Seattle’s first cemetery.
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley – Seattle’s Jackson Street Jazz scene was thriving during the Great Depression. These Jazz roots served well the late songwriter, composer and producer, Quincy Jones. The 28-time Grammy winner moved to Seattle when he was 10 years old. Quincy credits Seattle for contributing to his own jazz roots. In Seattle he met and played with Ray Charles. Another Jazz legend from Seattle is Kenny G.
Jazz Alley in downtown Seattle is a testament to the city’s jazz roots. Starting in the University District in 1979, Jazz alley is the premier live jazz venue in Seattle, today.
Easy Street Records & Café
Opened in 1988, the Easy Street Records is a must-see for music lovers. It is located at The Junction in West Seattle. This gem is rated as one of the top music stores in the U.S., selling new and used vinyl records, CD’s and cassettes. Also, they sell musical memorabilia, t-shirts, candles, posters and more.
However, it’s more like a musical church than a store. It has a café and is often a venue for famous performers. For example, Patti Smith, Brandi Carlile and Lou Reed all played here.
London Bridge Studio
In Shoreline, London Bridge Studio is a modern recording history with a stellar background. Fans can take a tour to see where musical legends, such as, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Dave Matthews and Blind Melon all recorded music. It is open on Friday and Saturday, costing $75. On Mondays the owner, a producer offers personalized tours for $150.
A Sound Garden and Art Walk (NOAA)
Near Magnuson Park on the NOAA campus along the shores of Lake Washington is A Sound Garden sculpture. This consists of twelve 21-foot steel towers with an organ and weather vane on top each one. Built in 1983, this became a memorial to the local, namesake band, Soundgarden.
Unfortunately, it has been closed since 2023. If and when it reopens is unknown. So, check before going here.
Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival
Every Labor Day weekend, the Bumbershoot Festival rocks the Seattle Center. It is an international music and arts festival. For locals, this is much more than a music festival. It’s like the last hurrah of summer, before we start needing our bumbershoot or umbrella for the rainy season.
Enjoy Seattle Grunge and Rock Tour!
Wow, this tour took me into a proverbial rabbit hole. There is so much emotion and memories packed around music. Many of these icons influenced us deeply in our formative years. Especially for Boomers and Generation X, this will speak to you. It just makes me so grateful to have grown up when I did. No computers or cell phones, just the best music the world has ever known. Much of that came out of my hometown, Seattle.
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