The Bay Area Influence on Rock and Roll

Oakland and San Francisco have long been a hotbed for music. In the 60s, the intersection of Haight-Asbury was the hub of drug activity, where struggling rock bands gathered to find their voice.

The bands that hail from the bay area include Sly and the Family Stone, Huey Lewis and the News, Sly Stone, Steve Miller, Pablo Cruise, Johnny Mathis, Chris Isaak, Quicksilver, Messenger Service, Carlos Santana, The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane (Marty Balin, Grace Slick), and Journey.

If that list weren’t impressive enough, consider that Green Day, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Counting Crows, Bib Brother and Holding Company, Night Ranger, The majority of the Doobie Brothers, and the We Five all hail from the city by the bay.


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