James Semark RIP

Musician, Poet and Co-founder of the Detroit Artists' Workshop James Semark passed this week. I had the pleasure of speaking with James on several occasions about the Detroit / Wayne State scene during the late '60's. He was one of a handful of poets that shared their innovative works at the Grande. A very kind and creative soul .. RIP.

Obituary by Cary Loren

Photo: Courtesy Leni Sinclair

New Grande Facebook Discussion Group

We have moved our Grande web forum over to Facebook. This discussion group is now linked as the offical forum for www.thegrandeballroom.com. The thousands of visitors we see every month are now re-directed here to read and share experiences. Content from these discussions will then be selected for inclusion in the book "Ghosts of the Grande - A complete History of Detroit's Grande Ballroom" - Thanks for sharing - Leo

Gary Grimshaw Press Release

DETROIT, MI- Gary Grimshaw, celebrated graphic artist of the rock poster genre and Detroit resident, is currently recovering at the John D. Dingell Veterans Administration Medical Center. He is awaiting transfer for long-term rehabilitation. After a life-altering emergency removal of his small intestine (95%) due to a blood clot on February 17, 2010, Gary spent about three months in ICU, followed by a stay in the medical unit of the of the Detroit facility.

Gary's move is expected to take place within a week and will allow him full access to the rehabilitation programs at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.

In 1999, Gary was named one of Michigan's 100 Greatest Artists and Entertainers of the Twentieth Century by the Detroit Free Press. His album covers are on view at Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Grimshaw created posters and light shows for Detriot's Grande Ballroom in the late 60s, and he has worked with major promoters such as Bill Graham Presents. His collection of rock posters includes work for artists such as Jimmy Hendrix, MC5, The Doors, Cream, Iggy Pop, The Who, and The Yardbirds. His work is featured in the book The Art of Rock: From Presley to Punk. Gary Grimshaw has a fan page set up on facebook, and a simple biography can be found on his own website, http://www.garygrimshaw.com (Facebook page- http://www.facebook.com/pages/GARY-GRIMSHAW/343781051661?ref=ts).

Gary's work will be sold at the Wyandotte Street Art Fair 2010, starting July 7 through 10th. Info: http://www.wyandottestreetartfair.org///. A design has been created with the assistance of Gary's dear friend Carl Lundgren which includes a thank you to all who helped in Gary's recovery. A Frisbee displaying this design is now available. The public will soon be able to purchase it from his website.

For more information or to purchase a Frisbee contact Laura Grimshaw at grimshaw7@sbcglobal.net.

Thank you Gary Grimshaw - Concert Benefit

Gary's work has become the definitive artifact collection of the Grande Ballroom's rock era. He is the prime Detroit manifestation of the counter culture rock poster art form. Where Detroit music shouts, Gary's art screams !! If you are in town please join the cause.

 Detroit Free Press Event Article

Photo - Leni Sinclair 

 

 

 

 

Gary Grimshaw Benefit

Thursday April 1 - Foran's Grand Trunk Pub - 612 Woodward Avenue, Detroit is hosting a benefit for legendary Grande Artist Gary Grimshaw. Gary is recovering from major surgery and this benefit is being held to help with expenses and to make Gary's recuperation a little easier.
Artists Mark Arminski and Carl Lundgren will be in attendance in addition to renowned rock photographer Leni Sinclair. All will be selling their wares to benefit Gary. The evening will also feature a performance by John Sinclair backed by Jeff Grand and assorted blues scholars. No cover. See you there !

Map Link for directions..

Foran's Grand Trunk Pub

Charles Agree's Dearborn Theater

Word is in the wind about a Hotel deal going down that will raze the Dearborn theater designed by Grande Ballroom Architect Charles Agree.
Here is a special link to some images related to the Dearborn and its grand opening in 1941.

www.thegrandeballroom.com/dearborn.html

John Sinclair at Wayne State

Enjoy this Wayne State University presentation of John Sinclair and Robert Jones!

Doug Fieger

Thoughts and prayers are with Doug Fieger who performed at the Grande Ballroom with Sky and in the New Spirit with brother Geoffrey.

http://www.detnews.com/article/20100111/OPINION03/1110333/Knack-singer--battling-cancer--ponders-mortality

7 years of www.thegrandeballroom.com

7 Years!

I hadn't an inkling of what I would be getting into when I first registered the Grande Ballroom.com in 2003.
What started as a casual interest in a family legend has grown into a substantial entity of its own, representative of the worldwide interest in this landmark.
Whereas there was very little online referencing this counter culture nexus then, Today there is more and more content being shared every day. The site now attracts thousands of visitors every year eager to read the story.
I have been fortunate to speak and correspond with folks from all eras of the Grande. I have worked with some of them at celebratory anniversary concerts, and in efforts to preserve the building and nominate it for historical posterity.
I now feel obligated in my efforts to document the phenemonen in all its phases so that future music fans can read about this special place on the corner of Grand River and Beverly.
In 2010 I plan to offer a completely revised web site co-ocurring with the completion of the new book.
"Ghosts of the Grande - A complete history of Detroit's Grande Ballroom" will be the compilation of seven years of research in the topic and will serve to document its history for future readers.

Thanks to all our site visitors who have shared the Grande with me. I have been enriched through learning of your experiences and have expanded my horizons accordingly.

Cheers,

Leo Early
Webmaster
January 2010