• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Alert

ALERT: Update on Maintenance and Upgrades at Central Library More Info

Home - Arlington County Virginia - Logo
MENUMENU
  • Join Now
  • My Account
    • Login
    • My Checkouts
    • My Holds
    • My Lists
    • My Reading History
    • About Borrowing
    • About Holds
    • About My Account
  • Hours & Locations
    • All Hours & Locations
    • Holiday Closings
  • News
    • Library News
    • Director's Blog
    • Get Email Updates
  • Contact Us

Arlington Public Library

MENUMENU
  • Search
  • Collections
  • Services
  • Events
  • Explore
  • Join Now
  • My Account
    • Login
    • About Borrowing
    • About Holds
    • About My Account
  • Hours & Locations
    • All Hours & Locations
    • Holiday Closings
  • News
    • Library Blog
    • Get Email Updates
  • Contact Us

ARLINGTON ROCKS – PT. 3: The Seventh Dawn

Post Published: November 16, 2009

Progressive rock… I’m sure that some of you still have a few King Crimson, Yes, Moody Blues, or Emerson, Lake, & Palmer albums lurking in your collections somewhere. While never approaching the popularity of the aforementioned groups, Arlington’s very own entry into the progressive rock sound of the 70’s, The Seventh Dawn, had a story arguably as unique as any, and a sound that avoided the pitfall of many of their superstar contemporaries, which has led to a modest, but well deserved reappraisal of the band that few could have predicted.

Essentially a songwriting project of three brothers, Heff, Bil, and Eric Munson, along with Heff’s girlfriend and wife-to-be Ann, The Seventh Dawn was formally launched in 1973. In early 1975, a college friend at Virginia Commonwealth University suggested the band record a vinyl record to accompany a “mock-up album cover” he was doing as an art assignment. Using the recording equipment available at the school’s electronic music laboratory, the resulting album, “Sunrise”, was completed in 1976. 200 copies of the disc were pressed. Though the recording was primitive by the standards of the day, there was no denying the quiet power and charm of the performances, and the songwriting was strong throughout. “Sunrise” reflected the tastes of the members, with strains of The Beatles, King Crimson, and progressive British folk acts such as Steeleye Span and Renaissance being evident.

A follow-up album, “Dreams” was recorded, but not released due to financial constraints. Weathering numerous lineup changes, the band soldiered on until breaking up 1981.

Years later, fate intervened when their seemingly forgotten album found its way into the hands of serious record buffs in the 1990’s, fetching a very expensive price on the collectors market. This resulted in the album’s reissue on vinyl, and eventually, a 2007 reissue on CD with bonus tracks, and, the release of the long deferred second album, “Dreams” as well.

What About You? Do you remember The Seventh Dawn? Let us know!

 

November 16, 2009 by Web Editor

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. heffmunson says

    January 3, 2010 at 3:21 PM

    More Seventh Dawn material is availbale on YouTube, including some live performance footage. It can be found by entering YouTube, and typing "theseventhdawnus". Here is a link, followed by a link to more information about the Seventh Dawn.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PJIj8tEyjEhttp://www.heffmunson.com/heffmunson_020.htm

  2. ACE says

    February 4, 2010 at 7:50 AM

    REALLY REALLY enjoyable music and videos!

  3. The Seventh says

    January 24, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    The Seventh Dawn is back in 2011, with a new CD called "Wakenings". There are 18 songs in all, showing the sunny side of the band. Less Fairport Convention, more Beatles, but there's still considerable variety.CD is available at https://www.createspace.com/1889463

Primary Sidebar


Charlie Clark Center for Local History: Where Stories Live


Link to blog post.

Appreciating Arlington Educator Katherine Mosley Ross


Link to blog post.

Sharing the Love: Edmond and Alice Fleet


Photo of Ms. and Mr. Bozman.

Ellen M. Bozman at 100


A group of eight people stands together on a small stage in front of large windows, smiling at the camera. They hold two framed items—one is a historical document with maps and text, and the other is a framed portrait of a bearded man. Colorful blue, green, and yellow balloons decorate the space above them, celebrating Glencarlyn Library's 101st birthday.

Glencarlyn Library’s 101st Birthday


Read more blog posts from the Center for Local History


Charlie Clark Center for Local History


The Charlie Clark Center for Local History (CCCLH) collects, preserves, and shares resources that illustrate Arlington County’s history, diversity and communities. Librarians and archivists develop collections of unique research material and make them available for use by residents, students, teachers, genealogists, scholars, authors, journalists and anyone interested in learning more about Arlington County.

Footer

About Us

  • Mission & Vision
  • Charlie Clark Center for Local History
  • News Room
  • Get Email Updates

Administration

  • Policies
  • Library Staff
  • Job Opportunities
  • Propose a Program or Partnership

Support Your Library

  • Friends of the Library
  • Giving Opportunities
  • Donating Materials
  • Volunteer Opportunities

Our Mission

We champion the power of stories, information and ideas.

We create space for culture and connection.

We embrace inclusion and diverse points of view.
























Download the Library App

Download the Library App

Arlington County | Terms & Conditions | Accessibility | Site Map
· Copyright © 2025 Arlington County Government ·