Seattle Tour Blog: Belltown, 1985
my first apartment was in The Humphrey apartment building on Second Avenue and Blanchard.
Across Second Avenue (top screenshot/right) was the future location of The Crocodile Cafe. This neighborhood has always been sketchy, and it was the only place I wanted to be when I was 22-years old. I don’t own any of these photos, they are screenshots.
I worked at Astor Park—only four blocks from my apartment. It was once an upscale supper club in the 1960’s. In its heyday, The Trojan Horse, as it was called, was the kind of high class joint where Ray Charles would perform.
In 1985, Astor Park was a rock club. It was on Fifth Avenue across the street from the Jordan Building, where The Rocket had their office.
“The Park” featured new bands like: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, X, Echo And The Bunnymen, Dan Reed Network, U-2 and The Cramps.
When I lived in Belltown, I shopped for food at The Pike Place Market (farmer’s market) because there weren’t other grocers downtown at that time (not because I wanted to pay more for veggies). The Market is still the home of the original Starbucks coffee shop, and is alive with working musicians on every corner. Vendors and shops offer locally sourced products year-round. I’ve seen movie stars mingling with musicians, and have heard tales of David Crosby jamming with buskers in the sun.
I walked home through The Market everyday after work, and met musicians to interview for The Rocket and City Heat magazines. Richard Marshall, or Swil Kanim, as he’s known today, is an excellent example of local talent at The Market.
The Rocket published a CD review, and a “North by Northwest” interview about Kanim. He’s now an elder of the Lummi Nation and lives near Bellingham, Washington. In 1994, he was one of my favorite Market Players performing classical violin with a Native American tone for the general public.
These Youtube screenshots are posted here to help visitors see Swil perform.
I don’t own them or claim to have produced the content
