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Local St. Louis Music Scene St. Louis is one of the centers where blues and rock and roll developed. The metro has a population near 3 million people according to the 2010 Census. The history of the St. Louis music scene has included Chuck Berry, Ike & Tina Turner, Fontella Bass, Nelly, T-Bone Burnett, Urge Overkill, Gravity Kills, Jibbs, J-Kwon, Chingy and Story of the Year. Blueberry Hill is a venue where Chuck Berry has frequently played. Campuses include Washington University in St. Louis and Saint Louis University. The local music scene is covered by The St. Louis Post-Dispatch and The Riverfront Times. Aaron Kamm and the One Drops * As We Are * At Will Project * Cat Sansone * CAVD * Copperview * Eric Grossman * Eva Murphy * Evans Blue * Fundamental Elements * Illphonics * J. Noelle * Jack B. Crider * Jennifer B * Jewel Niles * Katie Louise * LJ7 * Leslie Sanazaro * Matt Steel * Ms. BB * Ockum's Razor * On Tracy Lane * Pirate Signal * Renae * Teddy Presberg * Watching Judas * Yetisburg * St. Louis Local Music Scene History Major losses came to the St. Louis music scene in 2020, not just from the pandemic and venue shutdowns. Rapper Huey was killed in from a gunshot wound on June 26 in Kinloch at age 32. The rapper, whose real name was Lawrence Franks Jr., had plnned to make a video the following day. In 2007 he had a major hit on the Billboard Hot 100 called "Pop, Lock & Drop It," which made number 6. The Rhizomatic St. Louis series has been an annual local experimental music album overseen by electronic musician Nathan N. Cook, who said in 2017 the project will be retired. Over 50 musicians have been involved with the project. The album has been released on cassette the past five years, accompanied by a concert series called "Bruxism" at the Schlafly Tap Room. The albums have consisted of sound art, free improvisation, ambinent, electronic and avant-garde jazz music. Artists included on the 2017 cassette include Asarum, Blank Thomas, ICE, Solid Waste and Sea Priestess. One of the area's best known drummer for over two decades, Ken McCray, died at age 43 of cancer on January 10, 2016. He had played in local bands such as The Tilts, Superjam, Pay the Cobra, Shame Club, Contagious and Riddle of Steel. He was named the best drummer in St. Louis by the Riverfront Times in 2014. He recorded with the Tilts for their 2013 album Cuatro Hombres. The top rock band in St. Louis, according to ReverbNation in February 2014, is Evans Blue while the top hip hop artist is OOH KLAYFAZE. Other notable rock bands in the region are CAVO, World Times Three and Post Nuclear Trash. The top blues artist in the region is Hurricane Ruth. Singer-songwriters include Steven D. Hunt, Hilary Scott and Gary Kochan. Some of the more unique artists include Fari Fyah, Double Whistle, The Numbers Station and toyMaker. The Numbers Station is a melodic and ambient art rock band consisting of Blaine Parada and D.P. Haynes. Their song "Tilting at Windmills" captures the eloquence of their smooth sound. The music is dreamy with a tranquil relaxing feel. Other songs include "Elegy" and "Electron." It's a music project for people who like soft ethereal music that inspires mental imagery. It's well written music that deserves to be heard by a mass audience. The Pageant, a concert venue that cost $7 million, celebrated its ten year anniversary in October 2010. The venue was the vision of business partners Joe Edwards and Pat Hagin. Edwards spent many years with Mississippi Nights as a manager and talent buyer. The 50,000 square foot Pageant opened on Oct. 19, 2000 with Chuck Berry. It has since been ranked by Pollstar as one of the top ten venues in the world for its size. The venue has drawn national acts such as Kanye West, Green Day, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and Norah Jones. |
