d The armadillo has been associated with the Austin music scene since the late 1960s but came to full prominence as the namesake and mascot of Armadillo World Headquarters, the iconic Austin music hall that opened in summer 1970. The distinctive illustrations of the armor-shelled mammal that adorned Armadillo World Headquarters are the creation of legendary Austin artist Jim Franklin.
The beginning of the Austin music scene
(Re)discover the roots of Austin music
Austin's music scene started here
Only in Austin do you find Austin City Limits, SXSW, and an A-to-Z musical night life... In the late '60s, Austin music is red hot with it's unique brand of Southern and psychedelic rock, cosmic cowboy, and Afro-jazz music, fueled by over 35,000 University of Texas students, a thriving garage band scene, and the epicenter of Texas government. It's a happenin' scene...
Quick-scan Sonobeat's history
Here's an ultra-fast way to scan through Sonobeat's history: Sonobeat Milestones, tracing the company's humble beginnings as an offshoot of radio station KAZZ-FM's live music broadcasts from Austin nightclubs to the passing of its co-founder and subsequent shut-down in 1976 to its rebirth in the early 2000s. Ride the zip line through the Sonobeat story.
Back in time 50 years...
As most of the world turns a corner this spring from the traumas of 2020, this is a good time to take a nostalgic visit back to Austin, the nation, and the world 50 years ago, when things were different but, well, in many ways the same. Here are some crazy facts and figures, pop culture and trends, and history-making moments. It's yesterday once more...
