Annie Rose and the Thrillers at the Rainbow Tavern, Seattle, WA, December 14 and 21, 1980

This poster advertises two of over 400 performances by Annie Rose and the Thrillers over the years at Seattle’s Rainbow Tavern in the University District, on December 14 and 21, 1980. After moving to Seattle from Norman, Oklahoma in 1972, Annie Rose De Armas (b. unknown) led the Country-Rock Band Rose and the Dirtboys until 1975. De Armas, an openly gay singer, then became known for performing with her dance band, Annie Rose and the Thrillers, at local venues including the Rainbow Tavern and Baby O’s in Pioneer Square, and throughout the Pacific Northwest from 1978 to 1984. Over the years Thrillers vocalists included Kristen Anderberg (b. unknown), Donna Beck (b. unknown), Susan Johnson (b. unknown), Denise Roselle (b. unknown), Judy Schnepps (b. unknown), and Patti Vincent (b. unknown), also a tenor saxophonist, along with Doug Reid (b. unknown) on alto saxophone. Drummers included Paul Black (b. unknown), Don Kammerer (b. unknown), and Carson Michaels (b. unknown), alongside bassists Dave Liston (b. unknown) and Gary Oldroyd (b. unknown). 

The Rainbow Tavern, affectionately known as the “Fabulous Rainbow,” was a bar and music venue located in Seattle’s U-District, at 722 NE 45th. Steve Hudziak (b. unknown) opened the tavern in 1973, and a wide variety of traveling artists, such as the Ramones, the Neville Brothers, Big Walter Horton, and Buddy Guy, as well as Northwest bands including Soundgarden and Jr. Cadillac also performed here. The tavern closed in 1986, and the space has since become a brewery, which still displays Rainbow Tavern memorabilia courtesy of Hudziak.