A Timeline of 150 years of Washington DC's Contributions to the Music Industry. The timeline is a work in progress. Please send us your suggestions.

1854

John Philip Sousa b. Washington, D.C. Educated in D.C. schools, conductor of U.S. Marine Band 1880-92, led Sousa's Band for 39 years. Wrote "The Washington Post" March in Philadelphia in 1889. Buried in Congressional cemetery.

1867

Len Spencer b. Washington, D.C. His "Arkansas Traveler" later becomes first song to sell a million copies on record. Joins ranks of George Washington Jefferson, b. in Virginia in 1846 as one of the first popular recording artists.

1873

Talent scout Fred Gainsberg b. Washington D.C., first to record "Enrico Caruso."

1878

Edison secures patent for cylinder and disc records, founds Edison Speaking Phonograph Company. His original prototype and commercial production focuses on cylinder format.

1888

Emile Berliner, who moved to Washington from Germany in 1870, invents gramophone. Uses flat disc to record instead of Edison cylinder. In 1892, Berliner completes manufacturing plant for duplicating sound recordings, and his trademark, later adopted by RCA, is painting of a dog listening to his master's voice on a gramophone. First known recording by Berliner Gramophone Records is anonymous recording of a clarinet. In 1894, he releases first known catalog of recorded discs for sale, and in 1896, records "Turkey In The Straw" in Washington, D.C. In 1901, he forms Victor Records.

1889

Columbia Phonograph Company is formed at 709 G Street, NW, Washington, DC. In1893, Columbia manufactures cylinders containing pop tunes and releases first dance records.

1893

Al Jolson emigrates to United States with family at age seven. After growing up in Washington, begins legendary show business career.

1899

Duke Ellington b. Washington, D.C.

1903

Claude Hopkins b. in Alexandria, Va. Pioneering big band leaders works with Josephine Baker and leads bands at Cotton Club and Savoy.

1924

Charlie Rouse b. Washington, D.C. Master tenor saxophonist, works with Thelonious Monk from 1959 until Monk's death in 1982.

1925

Leo Parker b. Washington, D.C. Baritone saxophonist incorporates modern jazz bop to big horn.

1926

Pianist Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton records with Red Hot Peppers for Victor. This WAMA Hall of Famer, regarded as first great composer in jazz idiom, waits tables in Washington nightclub the Music Box until rediscovered in the 1930's through Alan Lomax' recordings for the Library of Congress.

1931

After stint as Evangelical revival house, Howard Theater is reopened by theater manager Shep Allen with Duke Ellington as first performer. Named for nearby Howard University, venue features Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Eckstine, others.

Tenor saxophonist Ira Sullivan b. Washington, D.C.

1932

Patsy Cline b. Winchester, Virginia. Iconographic country singer, records Willie Nelson's classic "Crazy."

1933

Roy Clark b. Meaherrin, Viginia. Raised in Washington from age 11, Clark performs with Wanda Jackson in late 50's, records in 1960's, and later joins Buck Ownes as presenter on "Hee-Haw."

1934

Arthur Godfrey starts as morning deejay on WJSV (later WTOP) Radio. Becomes national radio personality with "Talent Scouts," introducing many performers.

1938

Alan Lomax commences oral history recordings for "Archive of American Folksong" at Library of Congress.

Igor Stravinsky's "Concerto for Chamber Orchestra in E-flat," known as "Dumbarton Oaks concerto," premieres at Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown.

1939

Alan Lomax records Jelly Roll Morton for Library of Congress.

Folk guitarist John Fahey b. Takoma Park, Maryland. Founds Takoma label, becomes one of first folk artists to reach general audience.

Marvin Gaye b. Washington D.C. Attends Cardozo High, sings with the Moonglows before leaving Washington for Motown.

1940

Billy Hart b. Washington, D.C. Jazz drummer works with Shirley Horn, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Stan Getz, and others.

Original Jefferson Airplane member Jorma Kaukonen born Washington, D.C. Later forms Hot Tuna.

1941

Library of Congress, Washington's third oldest recording outfit, releases first recordings, 78's called "The Friends of Music."

1942

Howard Theatre facade remodeled during venue's continued popularity, with appearances by Pearl Bailey, Sarah Vaughn, Lionel Hampton, Dinah Washington, Woody Herman, Artie Shaw, others.

1944

"Appalachian Spring" ballet premieres at Library of Congress. Music by Aaron Copland, performance by Martha Graham company.

Scott McKenzie b. Arlington, Virginia. Member, early `60's outfit The Journeyman, with John Phillips. As solo artist, records late-`60's hit, "If You Go to San Francisco..."

In `60s Jack Casady b. Washington, D.C. co-founds Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna.

Peter Torkelson b. Washington, D.C. is Peter Tork later as one of TV's original Monkees.

1947

Ahmet Ertegun, son of Turkish ambassador to Washington, cofounds Atlantic Records with Herb Abramson. In 1948, Ertegun and Abramson hear 20 years-old Ruth Brown singing at Crystal Caverns club in Washington. Pivotal R&B label eventually records Brown, Big Joe Turner, Ray Charles, Solomon Burke, Led Zeppelin, many others.

Tim Buckley b. Washington, D.C. Discovered by Frank Zappa's manager and signed to Elektra Records in the '60s, Buckley combined melodic folk and jazz.

1948

After emerging from Baltimore, WAMA Hall of Famers the Orioles release "Barbara Lee" as their first single; the B-side "It's Too Soon To Know" hits the R&B Top 10.

1951

The B-side of The Clovers' first single reaches #1 on the R&B charts. These WAMA Hall of Famers, who follow with some 20 hits, including "Love Potion Number 9" and "One Mint Julep," come together at Washington's Armstong High School, to include Harold Lucas, John Buddy Bailey, Matthew McQuater, Harold Winley, and Bill Harris.

1953

Elizabeth 'Libba' Cotton, who works in Washington as domestic for the Seeger Family, including Pete, Mike, and Peggy, is persuaded by Mike Seeger to become performer at age 60. Her "Freight Train," authored at age 12, becomes #5 hit in U.K. She developed influential finger-picking style, "cotton picking."

1955

"Bo Diddley" is one of year's major R&B and rock hits, establishes WAMA Hall of Famer Bo Diddley as a major star, introducing one of rock's most famous riffs.

1956

WAMA Hall of Famer "Guitar Bill" Harris releases Bill Harris, considered the first solo jazz guitar album, while continuing six-year tenure with The Clovers. Later, Harris runs Pigfoot nightclub and gallery, serves as WAMA board member and professor of music at Howard University.

1957

Patsy Cline wins Arthur Godfrey Talent Scout contest singing "Walking After Midnight." Her recording of the tune crosses over from country to pop, a pattern she repeats many times.

Marvin Gaye joins vocal group the Moonglows, who are best known for doo wop hits "Sincerely" and "Most of All."

1959

Link Wray has hit with Rawhide. His "Rumble," recorded in 1954 and based on a gang fight in a Fredericksburg, Virginia, dance hall where Wray's band played, sold more than a million copies.

Jimmy McPhail's Bladensburg Road NE, "The Melody Inn" becomes "Gold Room," featuring Redd Foxx, Irene Reed, and many others. Other popular jazz venues of the era include Abart's and Bohemian Caverns.

1960

JFK Quintet forms in Washington with Andrew White on alto, Walter Booker on bass.

After studying in Manhattan and with Andres Segovia in the 1940's, Charlie Byrd moves to Washington, D.C., where he studies with legendary Sophocles Papas and develops notable blend of jazz, classical and latin rhythms. The WAMA Hall of Famer produces more than fifty albums of his own and appears on dozens of others. In 1961, Byrd and Stan Getz record monster bossa nova album Jazz Samba in D.C.

Stanley Turrentine records for Blue Note, having toured or recorded with Lowell Fulson, Ray Charles, Max Roach, and Jimmy Smith. The WAMA Hall of Famer, who now lives in the D.C. area, is recognized as one of jazz' great tenor saxophonists, combining bebop, funk and blues.

Songwriter Billy Stewart's hits "Sittin' In The Park" and "I do Love You" are in Billboard's top twenty Pop Charts.

1961

Frank Sinatra performs for Kennedy White House during inaugural.

The Kennedys invite Pablo Casals for first White House music concert.

WAMA Hall of Famer Jimmy Dean, who started with Texas Wildcats on Arlington, Virgina radio station WARL, writes and performs "Big Bad John," selling two million copies. He follows with string of hits on CBS and RCA Records and performs on local TV show.

1963

Mississippi John Hurt and Son House rediscovered in Washington, D.C. by Dick Spottiswood and Tom 'Fang' Hoskins in mid-60's folk-blues revival.

1964

Beatles first U.S. concert held at Washington Colliseum.

1965

WAMA Hall of Famer John Jackson discovered in blues-folk revival. One of finest traditional Peidmont guitarists and best loved blues artists, this National Heritage Award-winner is known for finger-picking blues, rags and dance tunes.

1967

Ralph Rinzler founds first Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife, which becomes summer institution bringing American folk art and culture to the Mall.

Time-Life Music opens headquarters in Alexandria, Va. Becomes a leading company marketing music through mail and phone order.

Ramsey Lewis' hit album The 'In' Crowd recorded live at the Bohemian Caverns.

Ambassador Theatre, at 18th and Columbia Road, NW, opens its doors to the 'Summer of Love.' Week-long stints and $2 tickets for Jimi Hendrix, Vanilla Fudge, the Hollies, the Youngbloods, John Lee Hooker, and others.

1968

Jake Einstein takes WHFS, founded in 1961, to rock format, with sons David as Program Director and Damian as DJ. Station in early years features psychedelic rock and acoustic music, later new wave, and more recently college rock. Purchased by Duchoissis Communications in 1988.

Adelphi Records releases first LP. Originally a folk label, begins signing rock and blues in the '70s, including Nighthawks, Bill Holland and Rents Due, John Guernsey, Catfish Hodge, and Rosslyn Mountain Boys.

1969

Roberta Flack signed by Atlantic Records, performing at home base Mr. Henry's on Capitol Hill.

Emergency Club formed by teenagers in Georgetown. Non-alcoholic venue on M Street is one of cadre of Georgetown rock clubs in late `60s including The Keg, Silver Dollar, Round Table, Crazy Horse and Corral. Across town on 14th Street, live music plays in Bennie's, the Rocket Room and Hayloft.

Rock acts signed in this era include Fallen Angels, Hangmen, Cherry People, and Fat City's Bill and Taffy Danoff (who write John Denver's Country Roads and Rocky Mountain High ).

Woodwind founded, Washington first free arts newspaper, published by Richard Harrington and Michael Schreibman. Harrington later edits Unicorn Times and becomes music critic for Washington Post.

1970

Elvis Presley visits Nixon White House.

Country rock group Claude Jones, releases 5-song EP Sykesville. Billboard Magazine hails this mini LP as the future of the industry. Ten year later, EPs become the darling of the independents.

1971

Premiere blues guitar player and WAMA Hall of Famer Roy Buchanan discovered by Washington Post and secures first solo recording contract after playing in local groups such as the British Walkers and developing career as sideman for Dale Hawkins, Ronnie Hawkins & the Hawks, Freddy Cannon and many others.

Seventeen-year old Nils Lofgren invites himself backstage at Neil Young concert at the Cellar Door to play for Young, who invites Lofgren to appear on Crazy Horse album After the Gold Rush. Lofgren's band Grin secures Epic record deal. This WAMA Hall of Famer later plays in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and Ringo Starr's All-Star Band.

1972

Roy Buchanan's debut LP, Buch & The Snake Stretchers, recorded at Crossroads Restaurant in Bladensburg, Md.

Harpist Mark Wenner and guitarist Jimmy Thackery form The Nighthawks, pursuing more than two decades of touring and recording with John Hammond, Greg Allman, Muddy Waters, others. These WAMA Hall of Famers include bassist Jan Zukowski, drummer Pete Ragusa, and guitarists Danny Morris and Pete Kanaras. Thackery leaves in 1986 later recording for Blind Pig with his band The Drivers.

Emmylou Harris begins regular gigs at Childe Harold in Dupont Circle and other Washington clubs. Later joins Gram Parsons, Linda Ronstadt, Bob Dylan on their albums, and moves to Los Angeles, then Nashville for solo career.

1974

Veteran Washington producer and artist Van McCoy releases "The Hustle," one of the first hits of the disco era and a national dance craze.

Blackbyrds release eponymous debut on Fantasy, score a hit with "Walking in Rhythm."

Western High School opens its doors as The Duke Ellington School for the Performing Arts.

Little Feat records set of dates at Washington's Lisner Auditorium resulting in double-record set, Waiting for Columbus, that takes band beyond Washington cult status.

Promoter Mike Schreibman, whose New Era Follies also brings to Washington acts diverse as Bonnie Raitt and the Clash, Linda Ronstadt and Joe Jackson, receives WHFS/Psyche Delly Home Grown Music Award in 1976.

1975

Rockville, Md.'s Joan Jett forms the Runaways. After nine albums, world tours, and reputation as "toughest, grittiest" woman in rock, she forms the Blackhearts in 1981 and releases the multi-platinum "I Love Rock and Roll."

1976

Root Boy Slim and the Sex Change Band tapes, Laudromat Blues and You Broke My Mood Ring, aired on WGTB and WHFS. Root Boy signs to Warner Bros.

Chuck Brown, the Godfather of Go-Go, writes "Busting Loose," his first national hit. The WAMA Hall of Famer originates go-go beat, and his band's alumni form Experience Unlimited and other go-go groups. Other R&B acts signed in era include Young Senators and Black Heat.

Formed this year, The Slickee Boys release first EP Hot and Cool, documented as third punk/new wave record ever released. Influence of their distinctive garage rock continues when video for cult hit "When I Go To The Beach" appears on MTV. The WAMA Hall of Famers release 15 more records, touring Europe and selling worldwide.

1978

Art rockers the Urban Verbs signed to Warner Bros. Records. Drummer Danny Frankel goes on to become a session drummer in LA, plays with Lou Reed (on tonight show and Letterman), Fiona Apple and Jewel among others.

1980

Nightclub 9:30 opened by Dodie Bowers, later purchased by I.M.P.'s Seth Hurwitz and Richard Heinecke to break bands. In early years, 9:30 Club features new wave and punk acts that become rock staples, including Talking Heads and B52s.

Dischord Records formed by Woodrow Wilson High graduates Jeff Nelson and Ian MacKaye. With release of Minor Threat, Fugazi, Teen Idles and Rites of Spring, label becomes known nationwide for harDCore.

Irish band U2's first gig in U.S. at The Bayou. Legend differs as to whether U2 opens for Slickee Boys, or the other way around.

Gary Himmelfarb forms Real Authentic Sound (RAS) Records to distribute reggae music.

1981

WAMA Hall of Famer Keter Betts begins conducting for Wolf Trap's Headstart program and Washington Performing Arts Society's school programs. Resident here since 1953, Betts is world-renowed bassist who toured 25 years with Ella Fitzgerald.

Influential D.C. punk band Black Flag forms. Henry Rollins moves to L.A with band before forming Rollins band in 1987.

Ellen Amos graduates Richard Montgomery High as homecoming queen. A decade later, Tori Amos releases Little Earthquakes.

Rare Essence' first hit single, "Body Moves." With string of hits, group ascends as one of Washington's top Go-Go bands. Founder and drummer Quentin "Footz" Davidson, a WAMA Hall of Famer, developed group from southwest Washington neighborhood to draw crowds to festivals at USAir Arena and other national and local venues.

Birchmere moves to Alexandria, as home for bluegrass and acoustic music. With groups like Seldom Scene and Johnson Mountain Boys, Washington becomes known as "Bluegrass Capitol of the World."

1982

Saturday, October 9 declared by Marion Barry to be "Buck Hill Day."

1983

MTV airs Slickee Boys video, first D.C. band and first indie band aired on station.

Wax Museum in SW D.C. opens as largest rock club in area.

Marvin Gaye received his one and only Grammy for his comeback hit "Sexual Healing."

1984

Nils Lofgren joins Springsteen's E Street Band for three world tours and several albums.

1985

Washington Area Music Association formed.

Go Go impressario Maxx Kidd strikes deal with Island Record's Chris Blackwell, for film and soundtrack Good to Go, including cuts by Trouble Funk and Rare Essence.

Starpoint producing records. Member Ernesto Phillips later is introduced to Toni Braxton by Bill Pettaway and produces tracks on her mega-hit debut.

RIAA opens Washington office.

1986

Tommy Keene releases Songs From the Film on Geffen Records.

Brian McGuire, W. Van Hall and Eric Brace start Top Records to record Washington's pop bands, including Frontier Theory, B-Time, and Not Even.

Mark Gretschel creates Twist & Shout, a weekend-only club in Bethesda American Legion Hall for national and local roots, rockabilly and blues. Known nationwide from Mary Chapin Carpenter hit song but foiled by liquor license troubles in 1990, Gretchel moves to Falls Church's Broad Street and then Wheaton's Tornado Alley, before relocating to Legion hall with longterm lease.

1987

Mstislav Rostropovich named Musical America's Musician of the Year. The renowned conductor and WAMA Hall of Famer leads the National Symphony Orchestra for 17 seasons. He is honored with a Grammy, Grand Prix du Disque, 30 honorary degrees and 90 awards worldwide, 1992 Kennedy Center Honors, and Wammies.

Washington attorney Howell Begle negotiates with Atlantic Records on behalf of Ruth Brown, the Clovers and other R&B stars for alleged underpaid royalties. Dispute settles, resulting in establishment of Washington's Rhythm and Blues Foundation, with founding donation from Atlantic and other pivotal R&B labels.

D.C. Blues Society founded. First annual blues festival held in Anacostia Park in 1989, later moved to Landgon Park and Carter Barron Ampitheatre.

1988

Spike Lee includes E.U.'s "Da Butt" in School Daze soundtrack and starts a new dance craze.

1989

Rolling Stone magazine names Danny Gatton that year's "Hot Guitarist." With a Fender-customized Signature Guitar modeled after his '53 Telecaster, this WAMA Hall of Famer becomes revered worldwide for dazzling virtuosity of his playing and diversity of styles.

1990

After playing five years with D.C. band Scream, drummer David Grohl joins Seattle grunge band Nirvana for 1991's Nevermind. After suicide of Kurt Cobain, Grohl forms Foo Fighters and is co-owner in D.C.'s Black Cat Nightclub.

Already recognized in Washington as vocalist, pianist and bandleader, WAMA Hall of Famer Shirley Horn breaks through to larger audience with You Won't Forget Me, album with Miles Davis and Wynton and Branford Marsalis.

Motown releases Johnny Gill. Washington native Gill is alumni of New Edition.

1991

Beloved bar D.C. Space closes after ten years as coffee house, biker bar, punk rock club and playhouse.

Cleve Francis puts thriving medical practice on hold to become a country singer on the Capital Records/Nashville label.

1992

Mary Chapin Carpenter receives one of her many Grammies for a song about Twist and Shout Club.

Alternative group Basehead becomes a part of the Lollapalooza tour.

1993

Severn, MD's Toni Braxton's eponymous debut album released. Within three years, will sell 9.5 million copies worldwide with Braxton winning three Grammy awards.

Fifth Column Records' first release, Chemlab's Ten Ton Pressure.

Me'Shell Ndgeocello splits Howard University jazz scene to sign with Madonna's label Maverick, debuts with Plantation Lullabies.

1995

Cellar Door Productions recognized by Pollstar as top grossing concert promoter in U.S.

Seth Hurwitz and Richard Heinecke's I.M.P. named promoter of the year by Pollstar subscribers.

Arlington, Va.'s Teenbeat Records amasses 115 releases, including "Unrest" and "Johnny Cohen," while Simple Machines distributes "Tsunami," "Ida," and "Pitchblende" records.

Mary Chapin Carpenter picks up three Grammies for "He Thinks He'll Keep Her," inspired by energy-suppliment ad, and country album Come On Come On.

Ted Nicely, former Yesterday & Today Records employee and Tommy Keene bassist, carves career as producer for Girls Against Boys and Fugazi.

After 15 years, Nightclub 9:30 closes doors at 930 F St, N.W., and re-opens next day at 815 V St, N.W, formerly WUST Music Hall.

Linwood Taylor named one of top 40 young blues players by Living Blues magazine.

Emmet Swimming signed to Epic, with first CD Arlington to Boston soon to follow.

WAMA's Eddie Stubbs moves to Nashville, picked for "voice of the Grand Ol Opry."

Bassist Jeff Sarli tapped for Keith Richard's next solo record.

1996

Sixteen years after it began, Dischord releases its 100th record.

Washington music community performs tribute for singer Eva Cassidy.

Tenor great Placido Domingo debuts as Artistic Director of the Washington Opera, performing in "Gomes' Il Guarany."