Curtiss A (born Curt Almsted on January 31, 1951) is a musician and visual artist from Minneapolis, widely recognized as an influential figure in the city’s music scene. One of the original artists on the Twin/Tone Records label, Curtiss A helped shape the local indie-rock landscape that erupted in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He performs one of the Twin Cities’ most beloved annual shows: a tribute to John Lennon held at First Avenue. He is sometimes referred to by the nickname “The Dean of Scream,” a moniker that captures part of his stage presence and the affection with which fans regard him. Beyond music, Curtiss A is also a visual artist, contributing to the broader cultural fabric of Minneapolis through both sound and image.
Curtiss A (born Curt Almsted on January 31, 1951) is a musician and visual artist from Minneapolis, widely recognized as an influential figure in the city’s music scene. One of the original artists on the Twin/Tone Records label, Curtiss A helped shape the local indie-rock landscape that erupted in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He performs one of the Twin Cities’ most beloved annual shows: a tribute to John Lennon held at First Avenue. He is sometimes referred to by the nickname “The Dean of Scream,” a moniker that captures part of his stage presence and the affection with which fans regard him. Beyond music, Curtiss A is also a visual artist, contributing to the broader cultural fabric of Minneapolis through both sound and image.
