Did Seattle peak in the 90s? (Vancouver, Starbuck: layoffs, movies, wages)

[The Postman]

It seemed Seattle was the 'place to be' in the 90s. From the genesis of grunge in the late 80s and it's explosive popularity with bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Mudhoney, to the films and movies set there like Harry and the Hendersons, Sleepless in Seattle, Free Willy, TV shows like Frasier, and later Grey's Anatomy (abeit not 90s). It was also the headquarters of Microsoft (well still is) the biggest software company of the decade, Boeing, Starbucks (became big in the 90s) and Amazon.com. It seemed it really peaked in the mid to late 90s.

Has it's star fallen since? As a kid in Australia Seattle actually seemed one of the most exposed cities in the US, yet now people are arguing cities like Houston are more prominent.

Do you feel Portland has stolen a bit of it's thunder too? And the Bay Area/Silicon Valley is re-claiming more and more of it's IT clout?

[Jalhop]

Seattle's heyday was indeed in the 90s I'd say. Housing was cheaper relative to wages, there was less traffic and places were less crowded. There are many better things to enjoy nowadays though. It's star hasn't fallen far.

[SaltyDawg]

Peak how? In terms of how the media covers Seattle, sure. Pro Tip - movies aren't a realistic reflection on what is actually happening in a large, dynamic, vibrant, and diverse city.

The 90's absolutely saw a musical & cultural phenomenon that will likely not be repeated anywhere ever again - it was indeed a historical moment. But that is not to say that the city itself is defined by that moment - industry, growth, and economics have continued to evolve dramatically since the 90's.

As a resident since the early 90's, I'd argue that a 'peak' is a long way off. Sure, there aren't A&R people scouring local clubs for the next big thing, but here's the news - those folks don't exist anywhere anymore because the entire media landscape has undergone a horrific race to the bottom. It's why you hope to discover a new band on Pandora or Spotify now rather than on your local radio station staffed by people who actually know something about music.

So no, Seattle hasn't 'peaked' any more than LA, Charlotte, or Miami has 'peaked'. It has and will continue to evolve - and I wouldn't be anywhere else.

[victorianpunk]

Originally Posted by SaltyDawg

As a resident since the early 90's, I'd argue that a 'peak' is a long way off. Sure, there aren't A&R people scouring local clubs for the next big thing, but here's the news - those folks don't exist anywhere anymore because the entire media landscape has undergone a horrific race to the bottom. It's why you hope to discover a new band on Pandora or Spotify now rather than on your local radio station staffed by people who actually know something about music.

Reps for you.

Music has changed so much that the great art coming out of Seattle is no longer paid attention to by the likes of empty-V.

Take Fleet Foxes: amazing with a fantastic sound that came out of Seattle, and yet Miley Cyrus gets a hundred times the air play they do. That wouldn't have happened in the 90s.


Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal (OFFICIAL VIDEO) - YouTube

[Harrier]

Seattle is still a big "little" city.

Harrier lived in Seattle in the early 90's and knows what you are trying to say.

The thing is that Seattle never has wanted to be bigger or more prominent than it is.

Seattle is a major U.S. city, and is well respected for good reasons.

Harrier would actually place Seattle over Los Angeles in terms of quality.

But let's not try to make Seattle out to be more than it has ever tried to be - a solid regional capital and a really nice place to live.

[green_mariner]

Seattle had its peak in the 90s for another reason I haven't seen mentioned.


1995 Season End Highlights - YouTube

[Flightoficarus87]

Originally Posted by green_mariner

Seattle had its peak in the 90s for another reason I haven't seen mentioned.


1995 Season End Highlights - YouTube

I may have been a little kid at the time, but thanks for posting. I sure do miss the Mariners of the 90's!

As for the topic itself, grunge music and media exposure for Seattle peaked in the 90's, but I wouldn't say that the city itself did. If anything, it seems to be on a roll at the moment - At least if we're talking economic growth, or sports (Although we need a basketball team again!). If only one thing is certain, Seattle has certainly changed quite a bit since the 90's - It's a growing city going through some growing pains.

[amaiunmei]

If we're talking about baseball, then I agree.

Otherwise, no. Seattle is evolving and has many good days ahead of it.

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by Flightoficarus87

I may have been a little kid at the time, but thanks for posting. I sure do miss the Mariners of the 90's!

As for the topic itself, grunge music and media exposure for Seattle peaked in the 90's, but I wouldn't say that the city itself did. If anything, it seems to be on a roll at the moment - At least if we're talking economic growth, or sports (Although we need a basketball team again!). If only one thing is certain, Seattle has certainly changed quite a bit since the 90's - It's a growing city going through some growing pains.

I was 9 when this happened, and living in Georgia by then. I did live in the Seattle area during part of the 90s. Being a Mariners fan, that is one major reason I posted the video. I miss the Mariners of Griffey, Martinez, Cora, and Johnson. There is a reason my username is "green_mariner".

On a brighter note, I'm not giving up hope for the M's to return to the playoffs, and Seattle has soccer now.

I wasn't into grunge or anything like that, so I never really remembered any of that. Looking back, this is how I see Seattle. Seattle was more or less a catalyst for the 90s. The moment that saved baseball happened in Seattle. The state of baseball in Seattle by the early 90s was similar to baseball during the strike of 1994. The strike basically turned alot of people off. Roof tiles coming out of the Kingdome, the ownership talking about moving the team out of Seattle, and then 1995 happened.

The grunge that you speak of had an impact on American culture, and on the 90s. It didn't have much of an impact on me because I'm more into R&B. But when I look back, the music that came out of Seattle, it had an impact on the 1990s, not only the music, but the grunge style.

Another thing that had an impact on society is Microsoft. In 1995, Windows 95 was released. It integrated MS-DOS and Windows products.

Starbucks introduced the Frappuccino in 1995. In 1996, it opened stores in Japan and Singapore, the first Starbucks store outside of North America.

I would not say Seattle "peaked" in the 90s. Rather, I say Seattle was a major contributor to the 1990s, helping the 1990s to peak. Seattle has kept growing and getting bigger. No doubt about that.

[Ira500]

If we're talking about baseball, then no, we haven't peaked yet. The Seattle Mariners are going to the World Series, just not this year.
Otherwise, no. The media has a lot to with how a place is perceived. Seattle still has lots of good bands, there are still plenty of musicians and artists around, and not everyone has turned into a software dweeb. Has it's star fallen? Meh. Houston has a far larger population, it' one of the top five cities in the country, why shouldn't it have prominence?
They no longer give many tax incentives for filming, so Vancouver and Portland stand in for Seattle, but a number of TV shows still theoretically take place in Seattle.