Ed Ackerson (1964-2019)

Ed Ackerson (1964-2019)

He was prolific and iconoclastic rocker whose Flowers Studio was a go-to hub for generations of Minnesota artists.

Achievements:

A Stillwater native, Ackerson was a fixture on the Minnesota music scene for decades: he played in several bands as well as releasing solo recordings, and ran the Susstones label. He built Flowers Studio as an intentionally airy space in the Lowry Hill East neighborhood.

Since opening in 1998, the studio has hosted innumerable sessions by artists ranging from legends like the Replacements, Brian Setzer, and Golden Smog to younger artists including Lizzo, the Shackletons, and the Happy Children.

Starting with a stint in Mr. Slate in the early 1980s and a series of 7-inches by the Dig in 1985, the bands Ackerson himself played with include the 27 Various, Polara, Sideways, the Mood Swings, and BNLX; he also performed and released music as a solo artist. His primary instrument was the guitar, but he could play many of the instruments he kept available at the studio.

Several years ago, Ackerson took some time off from the rock and roll life to start a family with his wife Ashley, a BNLX bandmate. “I never really experienced adulthood until about two years ago,” he told City Pages in 2018. The Ackersons’ daughter, Annika, is now preschool-aged.

Susstones, the label Ackerson founded with John Kass, has released music by artists including Mark Mallman, Stereo Confession, Two Harbors, Faux Jean, and Blue Sky Blackout. As engineer, Ackerson was an encouraging presence who would jump in when needed but also knew when to step back.