In the early 90's,Tempe (college town SE of Phoenix) became a short-lived hot-bed of a music scene. Thanks mostly to the group the Gin Blossoms. They went national with "Hey Jealousy","I'll Folow You Down" and other hits between '93 & '96.
Just before they became famous co-founder and lyricist Doug Hopkins killed himself.
My oldest brother had been acquainted with him and was part of the scene from '89 on. He opened a few shows for the Blossoms between '90 & '92 with his own band. (I'm not at liberty to divulge their name,he's told me.)
He did say that Hopkins was an alcoholic though.
Anyhow,thonly other act I know to benefit from this "Tempe-mania" was Jimmy Eat World. Other than those 2,I don't think anyone else emerged from that period. After about 1997,no one was looking there anymore and now Tempe is about as exciting as a vacation in your backyard! [img]tongue.gif[/img]
Arizona itself has not seen a "big" major artist since Stevie Nicks,Alice Cooper and Linda Ronstadt (unless you count current & still somewhat new Michelle Branch.