Gaar at the Comet (Image: Todd Mathews)

By Todd Matthews

Music journalist Gillian G. Gaar has lived on Capitol Hill almost as long as she’s been writing professionally about rock ‘n’ roll—nearly 40 years.

She moved to the Seattle area from California in the late 1960s with her parents, and her affinity for music formed after she started playing clarinet in the Shoreline High School marching band. She later published and wrote for fanzines about Kate Bush and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, respectively, and spent 14 years as a journalist at The Rocket —the music and culture magazine launched on Capitol Hill — beginning in 1983.

“I always had an interest in writing,” said Gaar, who can be spotted around the Hill wearing a black leather docker cap that has become a signature accouterment in her author photographs. “I guess I was always interested in sharing with other people what I thought was cool and interesting.”

In addition to writing 18 books about Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Sub Pop Records, the history of women in rock ‘n’ roll, and other music-related topics, Gaar’s work has appeared in Rolling Stone, The Seattle Times, Goldmine, MOJO, AV Club, No Depression, and American Songwriter. She was a project consultant for Nirvana’s 2004 box set With the Lights Out and editorial assistant for Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic’s book From Grunge to Government: Let’s Fix This Broken Democracy!

Her new book, Elton John @ 75, was published in September, just in time for the Rocket Man’s shows on Oct. 16-17 at the Tacoma Dome. Recently, Gaar stopped by Top Pot on Summit Avenue to discuss her new book and her long connection to Capitol Hill.

Q: You’ve written five books about Nirvana. In all your research, did you find interesting connections between the band and Capitol Hill?

A: They recorded the Blew EP at the Music Source on Pike Street. It’s long gone. They also played at Squid Row [on Pine Street], also long gone. Actually, I saw Kurt at the US Bank ATM at the intersection of Broadway and John. I was waiting to use the machine, and a guy in beat-up clothes was ahead of me. He turned around, and it was Kurt Cobain! That was a big surprise.

Q: How about connections between Hendrix and the Hill?

A: I don’t know any specific connections besides his attending Meany Middle School. But as a child, he walked around everywhere. When I walk down Broadway, I often think he must’ve walked down the same street numerous times.

Gaar ca. 1986

Q: When you moved to Capitol Hill in the mid-1980s, what appealed to you about the neighborhood? What appeals to you now?

A: It was the cool, hip neighborhood. I think the 1990s was my favorite period. I miss all the record stores and magazine stores. At one point, there were three magazine stores on the Hill. It was also great to have Safeway, QFC, and Fred Meyer so close to each other [on Broadway]. Now, it seems more limited, and everything’s more expensive. But the Hill is pretty central. You can get downtown easily—even walk there if you want.

Q: What were some of your favorite Capitol Hill clubs 30 or 40 years ago? 

A: Larry Reid of COCA would do great shows at Oddfellows Hall. One night, he had a load of guitarists doing Link Wray’s “Rumble.” That was fun. The club I remember most from the 1990s is the Breakroom, which is now Chop Suey. It was small, so you always felt like you could see the bands perform. They didn’t have a liquor license, so you’d go to the Sea Wolf next door for mixed drinks. I don’t recall seeing a big-name act at the Breakroom. Wayne Kramer might’ve been the biggest. The Black Halos was a rockin’ show. I got some good pictures. The Breakroom felt like a big clubhouse. The other club I remember going to was Squid Row. I liked going to the Comet, even though they didn’t have music then.

Q: While writing your latest book, did you find ties between Elton John and Seattle?

A: He recorded an album here. It was a four-day session in 1977. He just wanted to be a singer on the sessions, didn’t even want to play the piano. He worked with Thom Bell, one of the stars of the “Philly Soul” scene in the 1970s. Thom produced hits for the O’Jays, the Stylistics, and the Spinners. Elton loved soul records. He was the first major white performer on Soul Train. In October 1977, Elton flew to Seattle, where Bell was living, recorded at Kaye-Smith Studio, and then did more work on the tracks in Philadelphia.

Q: You reviewed Elton John’s show at Key Arena for The Seattle Times in 2014. What do you remember about that show?

A: At one point, he took a break to come down, shake hands, and sign autographs for people in the front row. I’ve never really seen a performer do that before. It was great to be that close to him. Also, his performance was a bit more serious than I expected.

Q: This year marks the 30th anniversary of Singles, a movie in which Capitol Hill had a role—especially Coryell Court Apartments at 19th and Thomas. I understand you attended the movie’s premiere at the Harvard Exit. What do you remember about the experience? Did you like the film?

A: What I remember about the premiere is all the cheers for anything Seattle-related that showed up on the screen—Food Giant, Tad Doyle’s cameo. At the time, I liked the movie. It was sweet. I don’t think it’s aged that well. The characters now come across as caricatures. Well, I guess Matt Dillon’s character, Cliff Poncier, was always a caricature. There used to be an Airbnb in the Coryell Court Apartments, but I’m not sure it’s still there. I should have stayed there when I had the chance!

Capitol Hill resident Todd Matthews is a writer, editor, and journalist whose work has appeared in more than two-dozen publications in print and online over the past 25 years. His journalism is collected here.

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