Obscure American Musical Landmarks

The American music industry brings together artists from all over the country, so why do so many people only think of New York, L.A. and Nashville as the major music hubs? There are so many places where some of the best musicians in the business got their start. Here are a few of the most obscure music landmarks:

Every band had to get their start somewhere, right?

Dub’s Lounge, Gainesville, FL

Established in 1964, this hole-in-the-wall bar was no larger than a small house, but became notorious for its topless dancers and famous for performances by a young Tom Petty. When Petty played there, which he sometimes would as many as six nights a week, he played with then band, Mudcrutch. The Eagles were also known to frequent Dub’s Lounge.

10^th Ave and E Street sign Belmar, NJ

This location is the namesake for Bruce Springsteen’s iconic band. The E Street Band’s first rehearsal was in 1972, and they practiced in the garage of the home of keyboardist David Sancious’ mother. Although Springsteen became a household name throughout the band’s history, Sancious also went on to do great work with artists Sting and Peter Gabriel.

The Stooges’ First House, Ann Arbor, MI

The Stooges, which Rolling Stone calls “the most raucous of all rock bands,” got their start in the small Detroit suburb of Ann Arbor. Some say that the group came up with its name while watching “The Three Stooges” at a two-story house they rented. This house is the same place where the band developed its unique, energetic, proto-punk sound that made them famous after the debut of their first record. This landmark is a good example of the obscure locations some bands originated from; many still most associate The Stooges with Detroit instead of Ann Arbor.

Other obscure music landmarks include Chess Records in Chicago, Aerosmith’s first house in Boston, and the Canyon Country Store in Los Angeles where Joni Mitchell, Mama Cass, and Jim Morrison frequented.