<P> Bands and artists have performed at the nightclub and influenced the Minneapolis music scene from 1970 onward, as exemplified by the silver stars that adorn the black building's exterior (every star has the name of an artist who has played at First Avenue or 7th St Entry). First Avenue also appeared in Prince's 1984 film Purple Rain, and many of the film's music performances take place at the venue . </P> <P> U2 wrote part of October at First Avenue, during sound check . </P> <P> Grammy Award winning Alternative - Country star, Lucinda Williams, was married on stage, following a performance at First Avenue in 2009 . </P> <P> Gwar guitarist, Cory Smoot, played his last performance at the venue on November 3, 2011--he died just hours afterward . </P>

List of bands that have played at first avenue