During the early 20th century consumer photography—and Kodak in particular—was itself an emerging market, much like wearable technology today. People were super excited about these new photographic gadgets. But Eastman Kodak Company didn’t sit back and wait for customers to come to them – they advertised, and they were creative about it.
In fact, film and cameras weren’t the only things coming out of Kodak Park. In 1917, Kodak employees produced and performed an operetta (or a short musical) entitled Kodaki San. One of the featured songs was this piano tune and ode to Rochester…
Being called one of the most innovative reggae bands out there today , Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad is rocketing into 2015 with momentum. The group’s previous album In These Times earned a spot on iTunes “Best of 2012” list. And their new album, Steady debuted this fall at #1 on the Billboard Reggae Chart, iTunes’ Reggae Chart, and Amazon’s Reggae Chart. Cider Magazine called it, “one of the best reggae albums ever made.”
Without a doubt, Giant Panda has become one of Rochester’s hottest musical exports…
Rochester has long been home to a vibrant and diverse music scene. Original music has always had room to find an audience here, a luxury most cities cannot claim, but we support our own. Even in the pre-punk days local bands like The Invictas , Soul Brothers Six and Duke Jupiter were able to make a name on a national level. But beyond those lucky few lie the stories of dozens of bands who achieved their own form of greatness. With an array of clubs and bars encouraging original voices there has never been a lack of up-and-comers (and should-have-made-its) hitting the stage on any given night.
A little over twenty years ago David Baumgartner, Sean Leahy, Will Veeder and Kris Durso joined those ranks as Muler . During their two decade career, Muler has embodied everything that makes this scene unique. They were just four guys who made loud tuneful rock and roll in the least pretentious way possible…
Every Thursday during the summer months, Hochstein Music School puts on a free concert at High Falls’ Granite Mills Park. Can you believe yesterday was the last concert for 2013?! CURSE YOU, SUMMER! YOU’RE TOO SHORT!
Anyway, as a fun Friday diversion, I thought I’d share just a minute of video from this final performance with the Rochester Ukulele Orchestra. (co-starring: Old Man SpongeBob, Dancing Elvis Kid, and Jumpy Jumping Guy)…
It was 37 years ago today when the greatest photo in RPD history was taken. David Bowie was in town on his 1976 World Tour. After giving a performance at the War Memorial Arena on March 20, Bowie was arrested in a hotel suite in the early morning hours of March 21. Three others were also booked including James Osterberg, or Iggy Pop, the “godfather of punk rock.” This infamous mugshot was taken when the rockstar returned to Rochester and pleaded “not guilty” to the felony drug charge in Rochester City Court. This was the story printed in the Democrat and Chronicle the morning of March 22, 1976…
At one of the Greentopia films a few weeks ago my ears caught the sweet sounds of Cammy Enaharo and I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling since. Cammy, 20, is from Rochester… so I admit I may be a little biased. But give her music a listen and I think you’ll agree, this girl is going places…
The Atlantic Cities blog recently posted a map of U.S. cities with the highest concentration of musicians per capita. It probably surprised many people to see that Rochester ranked #9, immediately behind cities like Las Vegas, Portland, and New Orleans. But Rochester has a long history of music making. Remember Cab Calloway, Chuck Mangione, Eastman School of Music, the House of Guitars… We even have our own Rockin Rochester U.S.A. surf tune. Amazing!
The song is Patience by Guns N’ Roses. The man behind the guitar is Dave. I’ve seen Dave playing on the side of this I-490 service road in downtown Rochester for years. Today I finally got out of my car and spent a few minutes with him. He’s a real good guy. Stop and say hello if you see him…
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After the Erie Canal was rerouted south of downtown Rochester, the Rochester
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![The Girl From Kodak Town [IMAGE: AbeBooks.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/the-girl-from-kodak-town-01.jpg)
![Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad's new album, Steady, debuted this fall at #1 on the Billboard Reggae Chart, iTunes' Reggae Chart, and Amazon's Reggae Chart. [IMAGE: LivePanda.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/giant-panda-guerilla-dub-squad-01.jpg)
![Muler. April 2012. [PHOTO: Facebook]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/muler-band-2012-04.jpg)
![Sponge Bob at High Falls? [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/sponge-bob-at-high-falls.jpg)
![David Bowie's mugshot after being arrested in Rochester NY for possession of marijuana. [PHOTO: Provided by Todd Hess]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/david-bowie-mugshot-rochester-ny-01.jpg)
![Cammy Enaharo, 20, Rochester [PHOTO: Facebook.com/CammyEnaharoMusic]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/cammy-enaharo-1.jpg)
![A Sibleyd's department store window display featuring a mannequin seated at a piano, a second piano, a saxophone and an accordion. (1940). [IMAGE: Rochester Public Library]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-sibleys-window-instruments.jpg)
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