Seattle History & Legends
Spanning musical genres and generations, The Edgewater has a rich history of hosting acclaimed bands and musical artists. A famous visit by the Beatles in 1964 launched the hotel into notoriety as a favorite Seattle destination among musicians that continues to this day. From The Beatles and Black Sabbath to Kurt Cobain, The Edgewater Hotel has been home to legends and their stories.
The Beatles
In 1964, The Beatles came to Seattle during their first world tour and Beatlemania consumed the city. The Edgewater had to install cyclone fencing around the hotel to keep the screaming fans at bay. During their stay, a photo of the band fishing from the window of their suite was captured and with that image, The Edgewater Hotel’s position in rock-and-roll history was made legendary. You can stay in the exact suite they did the next time you visit Seattle.
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin takes the cake for one of rock n’ roll’s most notorious stories. Most of the details are too controversial to recount here, but we can tell you that in 1973, the band was officially banned from staying at the hotel after it was discovered they had caught roughly 30 mud sharks from their guest room window and disposed of beds, TVs, lamps, etc. into Elliott Bay. Years later, the band was welcomed back and remains a frequent visitor at the hotel.
Frank Zappa
In 1998, Frank Zappa released his compilation album called Cheap Thrills. Track 7, titled The Mudshark Interview, recounts a conversation at The Edgewater where the front office manager describes how guests used to frequently fish out of their guest room windows. Shark, squid and octopuses regularly wound up in the hotel rooms. Zappa allegedly partook in a legendary fishing excursion from his window during his stay, keeping a mudshark alive in the bathtub.
Pearl Jam
No stranger to The Edgewater, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder was in attendance at the unveiling of the hotel’s Wyland Wall. Vedder assisted American artist and conservationist, Wyland, in the mural painting aimed at bringing awareness to the significance of the J Pod in Seattle’s waters. Next time you visit us, ask to stay in the Pearl Jam suite. The room features original band art, a turntable and a guitar to play.
Memorable Guests
Since opening, The Edgewater Hotel in Seattle has hosted an extraordinary lineup of legendary musicians and artists. Notable guests include The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder, The Monkees, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, The Mamas and the Papas, Ray Charles, The Supremes, Willie Nelson, Blondie, Kurt Cobain, The Jeff Beck Project, Emmylou Harris, Jethro Tull, Lou Rawls, Neil Young, Rod Stewart, The Who, Vanilla Fudge, David Bowie, Johnny Cash, Chris Cornell, Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper, Katharine McPhee, Macklemore, The Cure, Harry Connick Jr., Jewel, R.E.M., Def Leppard and Train.
Rooms Inspired By Legends
The Beatles Suite
The room that made The Edgewater Hotel famous. Stay in the suite where we hosted The Beatles on their 1964 World Tour.
The Pearl Jam Suite
We partnered with Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and their fan club to design the ultimate Seattle band-inspired suite.