The Untold Story of Northwest Rock & Roll

 The Redmond Historical Society presents ...

Saturday Speaker Series Stomp and Shout: The Untold Story of Northwest Rock & Roll   Saturday, September 13th at 10:30 AM In the Old Redmond Schoolhouse at 16600 NE 80TH ST, Redmond, WA 98052

Registration is not required. A recording will NOT be available following the event. View www.humanities.org/events to find Peter Blecha's other scheduled presentations.   Northwest Rock & Roll’s historical highpoints are well documented—in the late 20th century, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and other grunge gods took the world by storm. Previously, Seattle’s Queensrÿche and Heart had ruled the heavy metal realm. However, well prior to that, legions of local 1950s and ‘60s garage rock bands – including The Kingsmen, Paul Revere & The Raiders, and The Sonics – had all fueled teen dances with their versions of the region’s signature song, “Louie, Louie.” Yet these iconic bands are only half the story. In this talk, join author Peter Blecha to discover the lesser-known but vitally important bands and scenes that laid the foundation for what was to come—finally connecting all the dots between the fabled Northwest era of Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, and Jimmy Hendrix, and the R&B-spiked roots of a distinct regional artform: the “Original Northwest Sound.”

Historical Society Newsletter Jam-packed With Content

Couples enjoy a Saturday night dance organized for Nike battery personnel stationed in Redmond.

Sammamish Valley News, September 27, 1956

Redmond Historical Newsletter, Vol.27. No 6

 Redmond Historical Society SATURDAY SPEAKER SERIES September 13 

"Stomp and Shout": The Untold Story of Northwest Rock & Roll | Peter Blecha, Author and Historian 

Saturday, September 13, 10:30 AM, Old Redmond Schoolhouse, 16600 NE 80th Street, Redmond, WA 

Northwest rock history goes beyond grunge icons like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Explore the lesser known bands that shaped the “Original Northwest Sound,” tracing its roots through garage rock legends, early R&B pioneers, and forgotten scenes that paved the way for a musical revolution.

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Redmond Historical Society Newsletter Vol.27 No. 6 - Topics:  

• Join the Redmond Historical Society on Thursday, September 18, from 4:00–7:00 PM for the Downtown Redmond Art Walk. Meet the artist, and explore pieces from the Society’s collection, such as works by Doris Colvin and Russ Goetschius.
• SATURDAY SPEAKERS SERIES:  October 11 10:30 AM,| The Flora of Seattle in 1850 | Ray Larson, Associate Director and Curator, UW Botanic Gardens.  Before Euro-American settlement, Seattle’s landscape was shaped by native plants and natural scenery. Drawing from herbarium specimens, settler accounts, survey maps, and photographs, this talk explores the area’s original environment prior to its transformation.
• PRESIDENT'S NOTEBOOK:  "Redmond Transportation --From foot paths to Light Rail." by John Oftebro.  
• BUSINESS MEMBER:  "The Opportunity of Community - East Palmer."  by Paige Norman

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... and don't miss the Redmond Historical Society blog! 

9/2/2025

Redmond Historical Society: "Spirit Whales and Sloth Tales"

 

Saturday Speaker Series Spirit Whales and Sloth Tales: Fossils of Washington State

Did you miss this excellent presentation by David B. Williams? A recording has been uploaded to the Redmond Historical Society YouTube channel, and will be available until December 31st, 2024. And, don't forget to check out David's Walks & Talks or his Street Smart Naturalist Newsletter.

Redmond Community Leader, John Oftebro, "Now And Then"

Photo:  LinkedIn 

John Oftebro 

NOW 

President of the Redmond Historical Society 

John Oftebro in 1967 pictured
outside Kusler’s Pharmacy / Internet

John Oftebro

THEN

Award Winning Pharmacist, Businessman, and Couger Alumnus

UPDATED, PART ONE: RHS 25th Anniversary Celebration / John Oftebro

 

Redmond Historical Society 25th Anniversary Celebration in the new Senior & Community Center

President John Oftebro of the Redmond Historical Society (RHS) did a fabulous job producing, directing and emceeing the Redmond Historical Society 25th Anniversary Celebration and Social.  Over 120 attended.  The event was held on Saturday, October 28 at the new Redmond Senior and Community Center.  John's an excellent fund-raiser and superlative jack-of-all trades.  

Laura-Lee Bennett, the Executive V.P. oversaw the event.  RHS Co-founder Miguel Llanos flew up from Los Angeles and gave a 30-minute interactive slide show.  John Couch, Redmond's Park & Rec. Director of 30 years dressed-up as Mayor Bill Brown. Chris "Hurricane" Himes, Redmond's first Strong Mayor gave a charming, short speech. Former Mayor Rosemary Ives was on Block Island attending to her family.  

Board member Deborah Oftebro assembled lead-members to work the coffee cake and cookie table: Judy Lang, Jo Ann Potter, Deb Akerstrom and a Morelli?  My wife Pam and I got to sit with good friends, John Reinke, Gary Smith and Terry Lavender. John Reinke gave the entire audience a holler as he sang along.  

Photo and story by Yoder

9/29/2024

UPDATED: Redmond Historical Society 25th Anniversary Celebration

John Oftebro, President of the Redmond Historical Society produced, directed, and emceed the Celebration.   

Redmond Senior & Community Center

Redmond Historical Society 

25th Anniversary Celebration & Social

 Redmond Senior & Community Center

8703 160th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052

Saturday, September 28th 

Open house 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM 

Program begins at 3:45 

Enjoy sweet treats, entertainment, and an opportunity to see friends — old and new! This event is free and open to all.

Walking with History: Elise Farrel-McWhirter

Breaking news!  The folksy Redmond Mayor of 30-years Bill Brown is introduced and chats with the audience!  He may be attending the Society's 25th Anniversary party at the Senior Center on Saturday, 28th 3-5:30.  Have a beverage with him afterwards at a local tavern! haha!

Saturday Speaker Series Walking with History: 

Elise Farrel-McWhirter (16:20 m) 

"Born an heiress in the Age of Industry, Elise Farrel-McWhirter led the life of one of the most intriguing socialites in New England in the early 20th century. Follow the incredible life journey of a woman who was independent and bold before it was in vogue. Before the Women’s Suffrage Movement, before Women’s right to vote, 

Elise Farrel-McWhirter lived a remarkable life on her own terms and traded the glamour of society for a small farming community in rural Washington—a community named Redmond that she chose to live in over all the other places she had traveled in North America, Asia, and Europe. 

We can walk with history today, because she donated her beloved home upon her death that became Farrel- McWhirter Park. Learn about one of Redmond’s early leading ladies, who loved children, horses, nature, and left us all a legacy that helped foster Redmond’s modern-day Parks Department."

Speaker bio: Ali Maynard is the Farm Program Coordinator at Farrel-McWhirter Park and has been employed with the City of Redmond since 2007.

Elise Farrel-McWhirter - Redmond Historical Society Speakers Series

Saturday Speaker Series Walking with History: 

Elise Farrel-McWhirter 

Saturday, September 14th at 10:30 AM 

 In the Old Redmond Schoolhouse at 

16600 NE 80TH ST, Redmond, WA 98052  

Born an heiress in the Age of Industry, Elise Farrel-McWhirter led the life of one of the most intriguing socialites in New England in the early 20th century. Follow the incredible life journey of a woman who was independent and bold before it was in vogue. Before the Women’s Suffrage Movement, before Women’s right to vote, 

Elise Farrel-McWhirter lived a remarkable life on her own terms and traded the glamour of society for a small farming community in rural Washington—a community named Redmond that she chose to live in over all the other places she had traveled in North America, Asia, and Europe. 

We can walk with history today, because she donated her beloved home upon her death that became Farrel- McWhirter Park. Learn about one of Redmond’s early leading ladies, who loved children, horses, nature, and left us all a legacy that helped foster Redmond’s modern-day Parks Department.

Registration is not required. Please note this is an in-person program. A recording will be available following the event. 

Posted by John Oftebro

President, Redmond Historical Society

9/12/2024

2024 State of the City

Some of the leaders and staff I saw in this video:

  

John Oftebro, President of Redmond Historical Society

Arnie Tomac, retired Council President and co-founder of Redmond Town Center (RTC)

Pat Vache', OneRedmond Foundation Board Treasurer, retired Council President, co-founder of RTC, and Founder of Redmond Kiwanis Club.

Vanessa Kritzer, OneRedmond Board, Council President (and a future Mayor?😇)

Mary Nelson Morrow, OneRedmond Board President, OneRedmond Foundation Board.

Tom Markl, OneRedmond Board, CEO Nelson Legacy Group

Laureen Hamilton, Redmond Parks and Recreation Director

A retired city planning commission chair and LWSD facilities advisor 

Malisa Files, CEO, City of Redmond

Brian Coats, Police Captain

Police Chief Darrrell Lowe

Fire Chief Adrian Sheppard

Siri Bliesner, retired LWSD Board President, Centro Cultural Mexicano Board Vice Chair.

Aspen Richter, LWSD Levy Committee, Facilities Advisory Committee, PTSA Sustainability Chair

This was a Hybrid meeting...

-- Bob Yoder, 6/3/2024

Historical Society Speaker Series: "All Over the Map: Surprising Places and Place-names of the Evergreen State"

 Speaker:  Feliks Banel

Redmond Historical Society 

Saturday Speaker Series

Saturday, 10:30 AM, April 8, 2023

Topic: All Over the Map: Surprising Places and Place-names of the Evergreen State” 

HYBRID EVENT: Online + live at Old Redmond Schoolhouse, 16600 NE 80th St., Redmond, WA. 98052

To register for Zoom Webinar:  tinyurl.com/RHSAllOverTheMap

Broadcaster and historian Feliks Banel has been studying place-names since his sister gave him a copy of “Washington Place Names” when he was 10 years old. In this illustrated presentation, Banel explores the stories behind some of the formal and informal names of places and things around Western Washington – including some not found on any map.

Speaker bio:

Feliks Banel is a broadcaster and historian who focuses on Pacific Northwest history, geography, cartography, and pop culture. He presents stories about Northwest history twice each week on KIRO News radio and is host of the weekly radio program and podcast Cascade of History heard live Sunday nights. Feliks also produces history documentaries for the Seattle Channel. 

Special thanks to: 

Laura Lee Bennett

Senior Vice President

Program Committee Chair

Redmond Historical Society

www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org 

programs@redmondhistoricalsociety.org

206-351-2826