Music of Oregon facts for kids
The music of Oregon shows off many different styles, just like the music found across the United States. You can hear everything from old Native American tunes to modern rock and roll, country, rhythm and blues, jazz, pop, electronic music, and hip hop. For a long time, Oregon was a bit separate from the main music trends in America. Much of today's popular music started with African American blues in the late 1800s and gospel music in the 1920s. African American musicians used ideas from European and Indigenous music to create new American sounds. Because Oregon's population was mostly white back then, the state didn't play a big part in these early musical changes.
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History of Oregon's Music
Oregon's main contributions to popular American music began in the 1960s. Bands like The Kingsmen and Paul Revere & the Raiders helped make Oregon a known place for frat rock and garage rock. This led to different music styles. One path led to blues rock bands like the Robert Cray Band and Curtis Salgado. Another path led to the hardcore punk scene in the early 1980s. This scene was strong in the Pacific Northwest, with the Wipers in Portland leading the way. Other similar bands were in Seattle and Vancouver, BC.
Over the next twenty years, punk rock changed into new styles. These included grunge, riot grrrl, alternative rock, and later, indie rock. In recent years, Oregon has made a special mark on American independent music. Portland has a very strong indie music scene. The city is known as a cool spot for new trends, and local indie musicians have become famous. These include The Decemberists, Gossip, The Dandy Warhols, M. Ward, Logan Lynn, Storm Large, Pink Martini, and the late Elliott Smith.
Floater is a top indie band from Portland. They have stayed independent for over 20 years. They were even voted the best band in Portland in 2009. They often sell out big places like the Crystal Ballroom and the Aladdin Theater. Many other well-known musicians have also moved to Portland. These include Modest Mouse, Sleater-Kinney, The Shins, Spoon, Stephen Malkmus (from Pavement), Patterson Hood, and Peter Buck (from R.E.M.).
Portland's Music Scene
Pop Music Successes
From the 1960s to the 1980s, some music groups from Portland had hits on the pop charts. The Kingsmen were the first to reach the top 10 with their 1960s garage rock song "Louie Louie". It became a huge hit, reaching number 2. Paul Revere & the Raiders also became popular in Portland after moving there from Idaho.
The Hudson Brothers had several hits, like "So You Are a Star". They even had their own TV show in the 1970s. Quarterflash started as a jazz band in the 1970s. This band, led by Marv and Rindy Ross, had several hits. Their song "Harden My Heart" sold a million copies and reached number 3 in 1981. Nu Shooz, another husband-and-wife duo (John Smith and Valerie Day), also had hits. Their biggest song, "I Can't Wait", also went to number 3 in 1986.
Punk Rock Energy
Portland had one of the most active hardcore punk scenes in the early 1980s Pacific Northwest. Only Seattle and Vancouver had similar energy. The Wipers and Poison Idea are the most famous bands from this time. The Wipers especially influenced the grunge music style. These bands played at places like The Met and the Satyricon. Other hardcore bands in the 1980s included Lockjaw, Final Warning, and The Rats.
Growing Indie Music
In recent years, many indie music bands from Portland have played at local venues. They have won recording deals with companies like Partisan Records and Knitting Factory Records. These bands now tour all over the country. Some of these groups include Emil Amos of Holy Sons, Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside, Ages and Ages, and Dolorean.
Unique Dance Music
Portland is also home to The Slants. This is the world's first all-Asian American dance rock band. They are an independent group that has made international news. They are known for their public fight with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. They are also very involved in the anime industry.
Eugene's Musical Contributions
The Surf Trio was a punk and surf band formed in 1984 in Eugene.
Floater started in 1993. They began by playing at garage parties and at the University of Oregon. Now, Floater lives in Portland. They have released eight studio albums and three live albums on an indie label called Elemental Records. They were even nominated for a Grammy award in 1995 for their first album Sink. They were nominated again in 1996 for their second album Glyph.
Some country stars have written songs about Eugene. Dolly Parton wrote a song about Eugene in 1972. It was released in 2009. The song says, "Eugene, Oregon I'll remember you for the rest of my life, I won't forget how good you were to me, No and I won't be forgettin' all the kindness that you show To a homesick country girl a long, long way from Tennessee." Also, Johnny Cash recorded the song "Lumberjack". This song talks about Eugene Saturday nights: "Well you work in the woods from morning to night, You laugh and sing and you cuss and fight, On Saturday night you go to Eugene, And on a Sunday morning your pockets are clean."
In 2015, Sufjan Stevens released his album Carrie & Lowell. This album includes a song called "Eugene". Another song, "All Of Me Wants All of You", mentions Spencer Butte. Spencer Butte is a famous landmark at the south edge of Eugene.
List of Oregon Musicians
You can find a full list of famous musicians from Oregon at List of Oregon musicians.
Musical Events in Oregon
Oregon hosts many exciting musical events throughout the year.
- Oregon Bach Festival: A festival celebrating classical music, especially the works of Johann Sebastian Bach.
- Oregon Festival of American Music: This event focuses on different styles of American music.
- Britt Festival: Outdoor summer music performances held in Jacksonville.
- Shanghaied in Astoria: A musical play performed from July to August since 1984. It features local talent.
- The Eugene Celebration: A large community festival that often includes music.
- The Oregon Country Fair: While not just a music festival, it has several stages where musicians perform during the three-day event.
- The Ernest Bloch Music Festival: An annual event in Newport for composers and new music. Ernest Bloch was a composer who lived nearby. Performers from the Oregon Symphony often play new pieces here.
- Vortex I: A music festival held in 1970 near Estacada.
- Boombox In Da Boondocks: An electronic dance music (EDM) festival near Salem, Oregon.
- Fire: A long-running electronic dance music festival held near Mount Hood.
- Paradiso: A large EDM festival in the Columbia River Gorge with many famous national and international performers.
- MusicfestNW: A two-day festival held on the waterfront in downtown Portland.
- Pickathon: A three-day music festival that takes place every August at Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley.
