A symposium at Fiske Planetarium convened members of Spontanuity, whose psychedelic light show provided visual background for the Dead’s 1969 concert in Boulder.
The enormous impact of MTV’s revolutionary all-video format of the early 1980s transformed a slew of artists into iconic acts. Brian Brainerd’s portrait photography cemented the golden age of their appearances in Colorado.
Joe Ely, the highly regarded pioneer of the ’70s Texas progressive country sound, died December 15, 2025, at age 78.
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, several ska-punk bands broke through to mainstream popularity. Along with No Doubt, Goldfinger and Skankin’ Pickle, the Denver band Five Iron Frenzy helped contribute to the scene, combining the tangy sound of ska with a horn section and catchy alternative pop-rock songs—and the positive message unified by the band’s shared Christian faith.
Sam Bush
The “newgrass” genre was created by Sam Bush, dubbed “the mayor of Telluride,” and a generation of young musicians—John Hartford, Peter Rowan, Tim O’Brien, etc.—who loved both traditional bluegrass and the rock music of their peers.
On Record book series
Each volume of the award-winning On Record series gathers over 200 limited and extraordinary images and 100 interview-based profiles spotlighting an array of musical artists.
merchandise
Explore the Colorado Music Experience’s store, stocked with stylish products and gifts for music fans.
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A non-profit organization established to preserve the legacies of Colorado music, CoME serves as a repository for informational and archival resources.














