Music Through the Decades: Saint Paul Edition

Born in Saint Paul in 1948, Mary MacGregor trained to be a musician from age six. Her talent as a country-folk singer quickly captured the attention of Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary—and she soon joined him as a backup singer. However, it wasn’t until 1976 that she released her debut single, “Torn Between Two Lovers.” This song topped the pop and adult contemporary charts in 1977, selling over a million copies.

Just a few years later, Prince appeared on the scene. Arguably one of Minnesota’s most famous musical artists, Prince was a singer, songwriter, producer, and performer on keyboard, drums, and bass. As a minority artist, he paved the way for other local musicians of the time, including Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. His recording career began in 1978 with a focus on funk and soul sounds. As he grew in his craft, his music began to incorporate jazz, punk, metal, and hip-hop influences as well—a truly one-of-a-kind genre. His best-selling album to date is Purple Rain, an iconic cultural staple that influenced the fashion and sound of the 1980s. The first performance for the album was at First Avenue in Minneapolis, kicking off a five-month tour that led to two Grammys, three American Music Awards, two Brit Awards, and an Academy Award. Prince passed in 2016, but his legacy lives on today.

One of the main pioneers of alternative rock, The Replacements was a rock band that formed in 1979, composed of Paul Westerberg, Bob Stinson, Tommy Stinson, and Chris Mars. Some of their influences came from rock artists such as the Rolling Stones and The Beatles, as well as punk rock bands such as the Ramones and the New York Dolls. Paying homage to their home city, “Skyway” tells the tale of a missed connection that takes place amid the skyways connecting buildings in the Twin Cities.

Fast forward to a more recent artist—in 2012, Saint Paul’s own Zach Sobiech released “Clouds,” a testament to his own battle with cancer. As a singer-songwriter and member of the band, “A Firm Handshake,” Sobiech yearned to make people happy through his music. His impact on his city and the world lives on today, as celebrations of his life and legacy continue to happen year after year—most notably, Clouds Choir at Mall of America.

While Saint Paul’s past is host to numerous big-name artists, the music industry in the city continues to thrive with myriad styles and genres of performers. In today’s world of hip-hop, Dessa has come up in the industry by defying expectations and paving way for a completely unique rap genre. She released her first solo EP, “False Hopes,” in 2005, which was named one of the top albums of the year by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Currently, she is a member of the indie hip-hop collective Doomtree, and performs at local and national events. Catch one of her shows this summer at Hewing Hotel Summer Rooftop Sessions (July 9) or Dessa with the Minnesota Orchestra (Aug. 3-5). Some other Saint Paul rap artists—past and present—include Eyedea, Lexii Alijai, KayCyy Pluto, and Bobby Raps.

Saint Paul’s indie/alternative scene is also booming. Hippo Campus, one of the city’s most popular current groups, is an indie rock band that formed in 2013. Band members Jake Luppen, Nathan Stocker, Zach Sutton, and Isaiah Allen met at the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA). Some of their most notable performances were appearances at Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Summerfest, and Reading and Leeds Festivals. See them perform live this summer at Bayfront Music Festival in Duluth. Some other local artists in this genre include Bad Bad Hats, Baby Boys, Calvin Krime, and Grant Hart.

For lovers of classical, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra is a world-class group that keeps classical musical alive in the Twin Cities. The orchestra is an unconducted ensemble that performs repertoire from Baroque to new music. With regular performances at Ordway Concert Hall, as well as other locations throughout the Twin Cities, there are many concert options to choose from.