city: madison
smart studios
from nirvana posted in music by nevereatshreddedwheat
This is the former location of Butch Vig's studio in Madison, Wisconsin. In 1990, Nirvana (Cobain, Novoselic and early drummer Chad Channing) recorded here what was intended to be a follow-up to Bleach for Sub Pop Records. "Polly" was the only song recorded at Smart Studios to make it onto what would become Nevermind. Butch Vig would end up producing that album for them when the band signed to DGC Records, but it was recorded in California.
The studio, which Vig co-founded in 1983 along with future Garbage guitarist Steve Marker, closed in May 2010. Other bands who had recorded/mixed there include Smashing Pumpkins, Archers of Loaf and of course Garbage.
monona terrace
from otis redding, frank lloyd wright posted in music by pete_nice
Overlooking Lake Monona in Madison, WI is the Monona Terrace. Originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (a Wisconsin native), it was rejected by a single vote in 1938. Wright continued to alter and refine his plan for the terrace until he died in 1959.
Plans for the terrace were resurrected in 1990, and the project was completed in 1997.
On top of the terrace is a memorial to the soul singer Otis Redding. On December 10, 1967, Redding was flying to Madison with his Stax Records backing group, the Bar-Kays, when their plane crashed into the icy waters of Lake Monona. Except for one member of the Bar-Kays, everyone aboard the plane died.
The crash came three days after Redding had recorded "Sitting On the Dock of the Bay," which would become his first #1 hit song. He was 26 years old.
resurrection cemetery
from chris farley posted in television by donkeyoti
Chris Farley was laid to rest in a mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery on December 22, 1997, following a service at Our Lady of Peace down the street. He was 33 years old.
At the time of his death, Farley was cast as the lead voice in the then up-coming animated film, Shrek. Mike Myers was recast in the role.
our lady queen of peace
from chris farley posted in television by donkeyoti
The funeral service for Chris Farley was held here on December 22, 1997.
Over five hundred people attended his funeral, many of the actors and comedians who had worked with him on Saturday Night Live and on film including Phil Hartman, Adam Sandler, Brendan Fraser, Joe Mantegna, Lorne Michaels, Dan Aykroyd, Steve Buscemi, Mike Myers, Christopher Walken, John Goodman, Eugene Levy, George Wendt, Norm Macdonald, Holly Wortell, Rob Schneider, Chris Rock, Tim Meadows, and Tom Arnold (Farley's AA sponsor).
Notably absent was former SNL castmate, frequent film co-star and close friend David Spade, who was later quoted as saying that he declined to attend Farley's private funeral because he "could not be in a room where Chris was in a box."
the ark improv theatre
from chris farley, joan cusack, bonnie hunt posted in television by donkeyoti
This location (now a laundromat) used to be the home of the Ark Improv Theatre from 1984 to 1989.
Chris Farley honed his skills at this theater, as did Joan Cusack and Bonnie Hunt.
The Ark Repertory Theatre was founded by Dennis Kearn in 1981. The Ark Improv group performed at the Dragonwood Pub for one year, moved to the Club De Wash in the Washington Hotel (now burned down), before settling at this address for five years.