|
|
 |
Timeline 1930s & 40s Thursday, June 22, 2000
Pop crooners dominate the airwaves, but boogie-woogie, blues, gospel and hillbilly musicians lay rock 'n' roll foundations
1937
Tacoma native Bing Crosby records "Sweet Leilani," the first blockbuster hit for the crooner who becomes the top-selling singer of the next decade.
1939
| |
 |
| The Showbox |
The Showbox, an art-deco nightclub ballroom, opens on First Avenue near the Pike Place Market.
1940
Billboard magazine begins charting pop records. Tommy Dorsey's "I'll Never Smile Again" is the first No. 1 hit.
1943
Frank Sinatra lands a spot on radio's "Your Hit Parade," becoming an overnight sensation.
1947
| |
 |
| Ernestine Anderson |
Seattle jazz singer Ernestine Anderson, still in her teens, is dubbed "another Ella Fitzgerald" during a performance at the Metropolitan Theater.
Ray Charles, who would later be known as the father of soul music, moves to Seattle and lands a regular gig at the Rocking chair, an exclusive black nightclub.
1948
Columbia Records launches the 33-rpm "long play" album.
|
