Minnesota has claim to a wealth of creativity; music is no exception. Almost every genre can be heard within our state’s borders. The results range from a simple act of joy, to an influence that reverberates far beyond (the “Minneapolis Sound” is a prime example). The collection below is an introduction to the diverse and talented artists who have called Minnesota home, and the art they share with all of us.
March 16, 1985 - MPR’s Beth Friend profiles the Minneapolis Celtic-punk-folk band, Boiled in Lead. Friend interviews Drew Miller, the band’s bass player, about Boiled in Lead’s style.
September 27, 1985 - MPR’s Doug Hamilton talks with music critic Marton Keller about the 4th annual Minnesota Black Music Awards. Keller discusses the “Minneapolis Sound.”
October 11, 1985 - MPR’s Bill Wareham interviews Paul Stark, co-founder of Twin/Tone Records. Stark speaks about the Replacements and Husker Du. Segment also features a Bob Mould interview in the Nicollet Studios, and commentary from East Village Eye critic on Twin Cities music scene.
November 27, 1985 - MPR’s Beth Friend presents a profile of the Twin Cities band “The Jets,” a Polynesian-American eight-member musical group. Friend interviews oldest member, LeRoy, who discusses personal history of the Wolfgramm family, and that of the band itself. Segment also includes brief interview with band manager, Don Powell.
December 5, 1985 - MPR’s Jennifer Schmidt profiles the West Bank School of Music. Schmidt interviews Executive Director Dale Dahlquist and a few students.
December 7, 1985 - MPR’s Mark Heistad interviews Dale Warland, American conductor, composer, educator, and founder of the Dale Warland Singers. Warland talks about his choirs and choral music.
May 20, 1986 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on Minneapolis band The Replacements. Wareham interviews lead singer Paul Westerberg, who discusses the band’s reputation and “style” of music. Segment contains music clips of Replacements songs.
May 21, 1986 - MPR’s Jim Bickal presents a profile of the 1986 Minnesota Music Awards. Bickal describes the elaborate scene, talks with a limo driver, interviews an unimpressed Soul Asylum, and hears from a disgruntled guest. Segment also highlights Prince accepting honor as first charter member of the Minnesota Music Academy.
June 26, 1986 - MPR’s Beth Friend looks at Dinkytown in the late 1950s-early 1960s. It was a musically and literary rich community, which included The Scholar coffee shop, McCosh bookstore…and a certain Hibbing musician.
June 27, 1986 - MPR’s Jim Bickal reports on Minneapolis Police Band. Bickal interviews various members of the band, both former police officers and the general public.