Arizona's DNC roll call song was great. Here are 12 more that could be state anthems

Stevie Nicks was the inspired choice to represent the state of Arizona during the musical roll call on the second night of The Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20. She was born here, after all. At Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix. And although she never went to school here, having spent her childhood on the move with stints in Albuquerque, El Paso, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and San Francisco, Nicks built a home near her parents in Paradise Valley in 1981, the same year she released the “Bella Donna” album, the solo debut that featured “Edge of Seventeen,” which is, of course, the song that rocked the DNC this week when Arizona’s name was called.

Now whether they knew all about her living here the year that album hit the streets or not, it stands as an inspired choice — a classic record by a woman in Phoenix (and the highest-rated solo track included on our countdown of her best songs).

Were there other ways it could’ve gone?

Of course there were.

Here are some other picks that also could have been the Arizona theme song at the DNC.

Duane Eddy, 'Rebel-‘Rouser' (1958)

Duane Eddy was living in Coolidge when he hooked up with Lee Hazlewood, who cut the young guitarist's instrumental breakthrough, "Rebel-'Rouser," at a Phoenix studio called Audio Recorders, overdubbing sax by Gil Bernal and yells and handclaps by the Rivingtons in LA. "Rebel-'Rouser" peaked at No. 6 in 1958, the earlier single with Arizona ties by a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer.

Birth of a legend: How Duane Eddy paved his way to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with a junkyard find

Curtis Lee, ‘Pretty Little Angel Eyes’ (1961)

This Yuma native peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 with this doo-wop-flavored pop gem produced by the great Phil Spector with Coasters-worthy sax and backing vocals by the New York City doo-wop group the Halos. Lee wrote the song with Tommy Boyce of Boyce and Hart, the songwriting duo behind a number of the Monkees' most beloved songs.

Charles Mingus, 'The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady' (1963)

The revered jazz bassist and composer was born at an army post in Nogales, where his father was part of the Buffalo Soldier unit stationed along the border. Mingus was a toddler when the family settled in Los Angeles, but each spring Nogales commemorates his birth with the Charles Mingus Hometown Jazz Festival. The MOJO Collection says: "Some say it's the best jazz record ever made. Mingus thought it was folk music. Whatever it is, it's brilliant."

Dyke and the Blazers, 'Funky Broadway' (1966)

Dyke and the Blazers were led by Arlester "Dyke" Christian, whose lyrics were reportedly inspired by the Broadway area in Buffalo, New York, where he'd been raised, and Broadway Road in Phoenix, where he formed the Blazers. Musically, it was inspired by the funky innovations of James Brown. In 1967, Wilson Pickett cut his own recording of the song with Jerry Wexler. Pickett's version topped the soul chart, hitting No. 8 on Billboard's Hot 100.

The Stone Poneys featuring Linda Ronstadt, 'Different Drum' (1967)

Tucson native Linda Ronstadt is among the most successful singers of her generation, thanks to hits as huge as "When Will I Be Loved" and "Blue Bayou." Her mainstream breakthrough, 1967's "Different Drum," is a baroque-pop ballad written by Mike Nesmith of the Monkees. It peaked at No. 14 on the Hot 100. And could any song capture our current political climate more succinctly than Ronstadt singing, “You and I travel to the beat of a different drum?”

Alice Cooper, ‘School’s Out’ (1972)

I don’t need to check his birth certificate to know Alice Cooper was born in Detroit. But hear me out. He staged his first performance in the Cortez High School cafetorium and all members of the group that cut this classic single met in Phoenix. Plus, just think how cute it would’ve been to hear him snarl, “Well, we can’t salute ya/ Can’t find a flag/ If that don’t suit ya/ That’s a drag” at the Democratic National Convention. Hell, they played “Born in the U.S.A.”

Meat Puppets, ‘Lake of Fire’ (1984)

These Tempe rock legends were plucked from the ranks of respected cult icons in the early '90s by Nirvana's Kurt Cobain, who had them join him on the set of "MTV Unplugged" on three songs from "Meat Puppets II," including "Lake of Fire." Nirvana's "MTV Unplugged in New York" topped the album chart and won a Grammy on its way to going platinum. “Where do bad folks go when they die? They don't go to heaven where the angels fly.”

Cece Peniston, 'Finally' (1991)

The Trevor G. Browne High School grad attended Phoenix College and was voted Miss Black Arizona, going on to win Miss Galaxy. She was 21 when A&M released her debut single, “Finally,” a million-selling smash she co-wrote that became her first of five chart-topping dance hits before crossing over to the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at No. 5. And a song about everything finally going your way certainly captures the moment.

Gin Blossoms, ‘Hey Jealousy’ (1993)

The Tempe music scene went national when the Gin Blossoms jangled their way to a quadruple-platinum breakthrough with the airplay-friendly pop hooks of “New Miserable Experience.” It took nearly a year for the bittersweet jangle-rock crunch of "Hey Jealousy" to go Top 40, hitting No. 25 and doing even better on the mainstream rock chart. It topped our countdown of their best songs, edging out the album’s second hit single, “Found Out About You.”

Jimmy Eat World, ‘The Middle’ (2001)

Formed in 1993 when singer-guitarist Jim Adkins and drummer Zach Lind were seniors at Mountain View High School, Jimmy Eat World scored a Top 5 breakthrough on the Billboard Hot 100 with 2001's "The Middle." It’s almost certainly the first and only record by an Arizona rock band that’s been covered by both Taylor Swift and Prince.

Jordin Sparks, 'Tattoo' (2007)

Glendale's Jordin Sparks got her first taste of fame on “American Idol," becoming the youngest winner in the series' history at 17. She made her first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 that same year with "This Is My Now," her "Idol" coronation single. But she really hit her stride with the follow-up hit, "Tattoo," a platinum smash that peaked at No. 8.

Fun. 'We Are Young' (2012)

Nate Ruess fronted one of Arizona's most successful indie bands, the Format, before moving to Brooklyn and topping the charts with fun., who took home Best New Artist and Song of the Year at the 2013 Grammys. Song of the Year was for this breakthrough hit, which spent six weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100, going 10 times platinum. And this chorus suits the mood: “Tonight, We are young/ So let's set the world on fire/ We can burn brighter than the sun.”

Music across the aisle: Even Meghan McCain liked the DNC playlist

Ed has covered pop music for The Republic since 2007, reviewing festivals and concerts, interviewing legends, covering the local scene and more. He did the same in Pittsburgh for more than a decade. Follow him on X and Instagram @edmasley and on Facebook as Ed Masley. Email him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: DNC roll call songs rocked. Here's a look at other Arizona anthems