Sweda Model Q Cash Register from the First Avenue Music Venue, Minneapolis

This Sweda Model Q cash register was manufactured in the 1960s and used at Minneapolis’ premier live music venue, First Avenue, during the 1980s.   

The club has played a big part in promoting the careers of several local Twin Cities bands, including Hüsker Dü, The Replacements, Soul Asylum and Babes in Toyland. Prince (Prince Rogers Nelson, 1958-2016) also played there regularly, and in 1983 he filmed large parts of his semi-autobiographical movie, Purple Rain in the club. 

The club consists of a large venue, First Avenue, and a smaller venue with an entrance around the corner called 7th Street Entry.  The smaller club was carved out of an old Greyhound bus depot kitchen, which was converted into a nightclub in 1970. Both have hosted countless local and national acts since the first show in 1970, featuring Joe Cocker (John Robert Cocker, b. 1944). First Avenue was owned by national nightclub chain Uncle Sam’s from 1972 until 1978. Promoter and booker Steve McClellan (b. 1950) opened the 7th Street Entry in 1981, providing a launching pad for bands and making the two clubs the main nexus for the diverse Minneapolis live music scene. The new owners kept the shortened name, Sam’s, for the main room before renaming it First Avenue in 1982.