º BOB DYLAN, 1941-

Born Robert Zimmerman, Dylan grew up in Hibbing, went to the University of Minnesota for a brief time, then headed out to New York to become a star of the folk movement in the early 1960s with songs like "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are A-Changin'." He is regarded by many as the greatest, and most influential, songwriter of the rock era.

WHOOPEE JOHN WILFAHRT, 1893-1961

Born in New Ulm, Wilfahrt led what came to be one of the premiere polka bands in the country. It was known to play more than 300 nights a year throughout the Midwest and by 1926 had recorded for national labels. In 1934, Whoopee John was the second act signed to the new label, Decca -- the first was Bing Crosby. The band had a more than 20-year standing engagement at the Deutsches Haus in St. Paul along with a nine-year run at the Marigold Ballroom in Minneapolis.

F. MELIUS CHRISTIANSEN, 1871-1955

Christiansen, a native of Norway, came to St. Olaf College to teach music and direct the band in 1903. In 1912 he established the St. Olaf Lutheran Choir and with it a tradition of choral excellence that exists to this day. With Christiansen as its leader, the choir toured extensively both nationally and internationally, receiving particular acclaim for its performances of a capella music.

EUGENE ORMANDY, 1899-1985

Musical director for the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra (now the Minnesota Orchestra) from 1931 to 1936, Ormandy presided over some of the orchestra's premiere recordings. The quality and quantity of these recordings, done in Northrop Auditorium in 1934 and 1935, put the orchestra on the map internationally and provided a preview of what Ormandy would accomplish with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

DOMINICK ARGENTO, 1927-

Has called Minneapolis home since accepting a teaching job at the University of Minnesota in 1958. Argento has developed a distinguished career as a composer of opera and choral music. He was involved in writing music for early productions at the Guthrie Theatre and co-founded the Center Opera Company in 1963 (now the Minnesota Opera). In 1975 his song cycle "From the Diary of Virginia Woolf" won the Pulitzer Prize, and in 2004 he won a Grammy for "Casa Guidi."

THE REPLACEMENTS

In the mid-1980s the Replacements propelled the Minneapolis punk and underground rock scene onto the national stage. The band achieved critical acclaim on the strength of their sometimes brilliant, sometimes erratic performances and Paul Westerberg's songs -- a mix of anthems, rockers and catchy and sensitive pop songs. The Replacements' rebellious and ramshackle approach to the music business made it difficult for them to achieve commercial success but their music remains highly regarded and influential.

Ø PRINCE, 1958-

Minneapolis-born and -raised Prince Roger Nelson became an international superstar with the Grammy and Oscar winning 1984 movie and soundtrack, "Purple Rain." A genius musician and dazzling performer, Prince has written, arranged and produced music in a variety of styles -- pop, rock, funk, soul, jazz -- with remarkable skill.

JIMMY JAM AND TERRY LEWIS

Working in their Flyte Tyme Studio in south Minneapolis and later Edina, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis became the most successful production duo in contemporary music history. Since the mid-1980s they have charted numerous Billboard pop and R&B No. 1 songs, won several Grammys and worked with some of the biggest names in music -- Janet Jackson, Boyz II Men, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey and Sting.

ATMOSPHERE

Atmosphere, principally rapper Slug (Sean Daley) and a DJ/producer Ant (Anthony Davis), emerged in the mid-1990s to legitimize the Twin Cities hip-hop music scene. Their laid-back sound, encompassing indie rock and old-school rap, along with Slug's personal lyrics, have made them one of the most prominent indie hip-hop groups in the world.

ANDREWS SISTERS

The sisters, Patty, Maxene and Laverne, grew up in Minneapolis and became one of the most popular groups of all time. Their 46 top 10 Billboard hits include "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)" and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (Of Company B)." They entertained Allied forces during Word War II and toured with most of the major big bands, including Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and Guy Lombardo. The Andrews sisters also appeared in 17 Hollywood movies, including several with Abbott and Costello.