Music of Arizona - Phoenix

Phoenix

Phoenix is a center for musical innovation, and has been called a rock mecca by Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World. Jimmy Eat World, which gained fame as an emo rock group, is one of the most popular bands to come from Phoenix in recent years. Tempe (home of Arizona State University) and Mesa also coexist with Phoenix as part of the musical scene. Other Phoenix bands of notoriety include: Meat Puppets, Gin Blossoms, Phunk Junkeez, Dead Hot Workshop, Opiate for the Masses, The Jetzons, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers.

In the 1960s, rock and R&B bands inspired by British Invasion groups like The Beatles appeared in Phoenix. The most famous musician to emerge from this era was Alice Cooper, along with Bill Spooner (most famously of The Tubes); local stars included The Superfine Dandelion, Mike Condello, The Grapes of Wrath, Phil & the Frantics, P-Nut Butter and Floyd & Jerry. The group Pages was formed by Phoenix residents Richard Page and Steve George, who later formed the nucleus of the pop-rock group Mr. Mister. Dolan Ellis has lived in Phoenix most of his adult life. He moved to LA in the early 1960s, where he achieved national fame as an original member of the Grammy-winning folk group, The New Christy Minstrels. Dolan returned to Phoenix after a whirlwind success, while the group was still on top. In February 1966, Governor Sam Goddard appointed Dolan as Arizona's Official State Balladeer. Now Dolan has served 10 governors in that capacity, with no break in service. His work has earned him many awards, including selection as the first Arizona Culture Keeper, and having Senator John McCain read his accomplishments into the Congressional Record. Dolan spent a few years away from Phoenix from about 1993 through 2003, to found the Arizona Folklore Preserve in Ramsey Canyon. He still commutes to the AFP, where he continues to serve as Artist-in-Residence, about twice a month.

In the early 1980s, Phoenix saw a vibrant hardcore punk scene. The biggest bands included The Feederz, JFA (also known as Jodie Foster's Army) and Meat Puppets, the latter of which combined country influences and became a major influence on grunge. Other prominent rock bands of the time include Flotsam and Jetsam, Sun City Girls, Sacred Reich, Caterwaul, and Mighty Sphincter. CeCe Peniston is among the best-known Black musical performers from this area.

During the 1990s, Chester Bennington, current lead singer for Linkin Park, spent several years in Phoenix as the lead singer for the post-grunge band Grey Daze. Another prominent Phoenix musician, with whom Chester Bennington has collaborated, is DJ Z-Trip. This time also saw the formation and rise of pop punk/emo band Jimmy Eat World. Also Bob Stubbs formerly of the band Social Distortion played drums in quite a few local bands including The Voice and Glass Heroes.

The late 1990s and early 2000s saw a strong, emerging rock scene in Phoenix and the surrounding areas. Indie rock bands included Element 115 the band, The Stiletto Formal, Fine China, Peachcake, Sugar High, The Format, 36 Cents and a Dream. Punk influenced artists include Authority Zero, Sweet Bleeders, Haunted Cologne, Andrew Jackson Jihad, and Brodie Foster Hubbard. There is also a growing post-hardcore scene including bands like Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Blessthefall, Eyes Set To Kill, The Word Alive, Greeley Estates. The middle part of the decade were marked by the transition from hardcore punk into death metal with bands such as The Irish Front, Knights of the Abyss and Job for a Cowboy. In recent years there has been a huge growth of local Arizona hardcore bands ranging from genres of hardcore punk, post-hardcore, metalcore and death metal. Country music star Dierks Bentley is from Phoenix and Michelle Branch is from Sedona.

There have been numerous Arizona residents that have had varying success on the American Idol. Jordin Sparks won the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks was later selected to sing the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLII, which happened to take place at her hometown of Glendale, Arizona. On the seventh season, Arizona had two contestants make it to the "Final Twelve". David Hernandez came in twelfth place while Brooke White made it to fifth place. The eighth season featured a regional audition at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale on July 25, 2008. Several contestants made it to the "Hollywood phase" but only one made it into the final twelve; Scott MacIntyre, who came in eighth place. Despite this, Phoenix was called one of the "year's standout cities."

Phoenix boasts a renowned orchestra, the Phoenix Symphony.

Hispanic/Latino music has a large following, and numerous import stores exist throughout the city for it. There are also several Spanish-language music radio stations. The annual "Fiestas Patrias" celebration brings many Mexican musicians to town, with groups such as Los Tigres del Norte.

Joe Bethancourt is another long-time resident that has achieved fame with his music.