Rock n RollRock and Roll has dominated the Milwaukee music scene for decades. The rockabilly rock of the 1950s started it all, but despite changing and developing into various forms throughout the decades, the rock scene continues to be popular in Milwaukee today. Many big names in rock had their start locally. Steve Miller was born in Milwaukee in 1943 and took guitar lessons from Les Paul, a native of nearby Waukesha. Guitarist Gordon Gano and bassist Brian Richie, of Violent Femmes, were born and raised in Milwaukee. They grouped together with drummer Victor DeLorenzo to form the iconic 1980s and 90s rock band. Jerry Harrison, a member of the Talking Hands and co-creater of garageband.com, was born in Milwaukee in 1949. Punk groups also rose to popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, and rock groups of all sort continue to be popular in the city today.
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PopWhile rock bands existed in Milwaukee from the 1950s, the Beatles craze kicked off an explosion of bands in the Milwaukee area in the 1960s. The city had great energy and offered several venues in which to play, enabling many local musicians to get their start in Milwaukee before moving on to big things. CYO (Christian Youth Organization) Dances were prevalent and proved to be a perfect place for bands to perform their sound and earn a following. Many bands went from the dances to local clubs then onto regional and even national performances.
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Rock n Roll and Pop have been major players in the Milwaukee music scene for decades. Watch the video below to learn more!
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Milwaukee-born Steve Miller plays his hit, "The Joker" |
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The Robbs, a Milwaukee band formed at the height of Beatle Mania and their song, "Race with the Wind." |
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Violent Femmes perform "Prove My Love" in Milwaukee in 1983. |
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Liberace, a Milwaukee native that made it to the very top, plays "Boogie Woogie" on his network show in 1969. |