TACOMA ROCKS >>>

Although it can be said Tacoma is void of an immense music scene, this city IS virtually dripping with the history of American music - from The Wailers, Ventures and Sonics, to Victory Music, Robert Cray, Red Kelly and a group of alternative bands from the '90s. Sure, the transient military population helped feed a vibrant jazz scene in the early days. However, Grit City's music foundation was built on rock and roll - a dangerous, catchy, sweaty, alcohol-drenched, cigarette-smoke-smelling and hard-volume plasma garage rock explosion in the '50s and '60s that inspired hundreds of bands.

The Weekly Volcano has always thought it was strange that Tacoma's rock history hasn't been celebrated in a Hall of Fame fashion. Yes, we had LouieFest and Kent Morrill's tribute concert – and Mike Mitchell and Ted Brown keep the rock history alive through their various projects - but still. ...

Looks as if our prayers have been answered.

Owen Atkins, lead singer with Tacoma rockers The Fucking Eagles, just dropped awesome news off at the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters. Apparently some of Tacoma's rock and roll legends will join the Tacoma Historical Society for a night of celebration, storytelling and rock and roll history Oct. 9 at the Tacoma Yacht Club. Here's the press release:

This is a rare opportunity to hear about Tacoma's rock and roll history directly from the people who made it.  Special guests include Little Bill and the Bluenotes, Buck Ormsby and Gail Harris of the Wailers, Pat O'Day ("The King of Northwest Radio"), Jerry Miller of Moby Grape, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Don Wilson of the Ventures, and many more.  Dennis Flannigan will emcee the event.

"Tacoma was the fire and furnace for Northwest Rock," said Flannigan. "The giants came from Tacoma; 'Little Bill' and the Bluenotes, the Ventures, the Wailers, and the Sonics are only part of the story. KJR legend Pat O'Day started out in Tacoma. Truly, October 9th will be a gathering of giants."

Tickets for the event are $80 or $60 for Tacoma Historical Society Members (see www.tacomahistory.org for details). Proceeds from the event will help fund Tacoma Historical Society's efforts to preserve, promote and present the history of the City of Tacoma and its people. Tacoma Historical Society works to forge connections between past and present generations, fostering an appreciation of the past and a sense of place within our community's history.

We are so in. Join us.