This 509 Legend Influenced Cobain, Staley, Homme and More!

Without going too crazy, you can say the 509 had a big influence on Seattle's biggest musical heyday - grunge in the 90's.

If you're a fan of grunge, you'll know Mark Lanegan of Ellensburg's Screaming Trees. Considered the "godfathers of grunge," they paved the way in the mid 1980's for future acts like Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and more.

During that time, Lanegan (born and raised in Ellensburg) also had side projects with Kurt Cobain and another with both Layne Staley and Mike McCready (Pearl Jam.)

Screaming Trees helped celebrate the opening of Seattle's Experience Music Project in 2000 before disbanding. Shortly after, Lanegan joined stoner giants Queens of the Stone Age.

Screaming Trees drummer Barrett Martin also famously toured with R.E.M. and Stone Temple Pilots.