Charles N. Agree Bus Tour

A wonderful time was had on our sold out Charles Agree bus tour Saturday the 20th.
Mr. Agree was, of course, the celebrated architect that created the Grande Ballroom. I had the distinct honor of presenting at the Grande stop to Mr. Agree's daughter, grand children and great grandchildren. It turned out half of the bus was filled with Mr. Agree's wonderful family! We finished up with lunch at Cliff Bell's. Cliff's incredible mahogany accented interior is also one of "Charlie's" designs.

Be it known that the superior sound of the Grande Ballroom was the result of this great man's skills and attention to detail. Its splendid Spanish/Moorish decor and exterior made it a jewel set alongside Grand River and Beverly.
If you would like join Preservation Detroit for the next Charles N. Agree Bus Tour - June 16, you may purchase tickets here:
http://preservationdetroit.org/2012/04/01/charles-n-agree-bus-tour-saturday-june-16th/

Charles N. Agree Bus Tour - Saturday May 19

Charles N. Agree Bus Tour Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 10:00 AM Tour begins at Cliff Bells Join us for a bus tour of celebrated Detroit architect, Charles N. Agree's buildings! You have heard of the Grande Ballroom, the Whittier Hotel, and the Vanity Ballroom .. learn all about the life and work of this incredibly talented architect! The tour will be narrated by Greg Piazza, Rebecca Binno Savage and Leo Early. Lunch is at Cliff Bells (an Agree-designed building) and the talk will be about the Grande Ballroom architectural plans! Cost: $50 per person, lunch is included! Parking is on-street or in one of the area lots. Register Here. Cliff Bells 2030 Park Avenue Detroit, MI 48266 Questions? Send an email to info@preservationdetroit.org

Scott Morgan Benefit

Scott Morgan (ex. Rationals - Sonic's Rendezvous - Powertrane) is suffering from severe liver disease. A benefit is scheduled April 14 to help with medical expenses.

Friends of the Grande now on Facebook

"To preserve the history of the Grande Ballroom and its physical edifice while promoting the Culture fostered by its patrons, performers and promoters." 

If you are interested in supporting this mission statement, please join 

the Friends of the Grande on Facebook !

Michael Davis - MC5 -1943-2012

Sad news from California this weekend.
MC5 Bassist Michael Davis has passed away at the age of 68.


Mike was one of the first I ever heard refer to the Grande as "our palace". I have used that term ever since in trying to describe this fanciful place that I myself had never been, but where the 5 lorded over the local music scene during the ballroom's rock heyday.


Thanks for the music Michael. Rest easy.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/bassist-michael-davis-from-influential-60s-band-mc5-dies-at-age-68/2012/02/18/gIQAyIVeMR_story.html

Building Access

In the 10 years I have been writing and researching the Grande Ballroom I have received dozens of requests for access to the building itself. The present owners do not honor such requests for a number of reasons.
As the result of deferred maintenance, the ballroom's condition is extremely poor. Large holes in the roof allow rain to pour in and missing windows permit wind and snow to blow through. Freeze thaw cycles have caused bricks and 100 pound concrete cornices to crash to the sidewalk. The retail lower floor is now a moonscape of liberated gypsum and asbestos The city of Detroit has placed the Grande on its dangerous buildings list. In its present condition the building is un-insurable and injuries sustained by any visitors could be a huge liability for the owners.
I would like to go on record and state that I don't condone, recommend or permit unauthorized entry into the Grande Ballroom building. It is extremely hazardous and unauthorized access is considered breaking and entering as well as trespassing. Please respect this landmark and its owners wishes. - Leo Early

Dick Wagner Book "NOT ONLY WOMEN BLEED"

Reading my pre-release copy of Dick Wagner's new book: Stay tuned for a review and info on a public release date.




NOT ONLY WOMEN BLEED, Vignettes from the Heart of a Rock Musician


Dick Wagner’s Not Only Women Bleed stands tall among a proliferation of memoirs about sex, drugs and rock and roll. Supported by an edgy and ironic wit, Wagner creates rich visualizations that transport and envelop the reader in place and time. An agile and intuitive writer, Wagner’s phrasing is both colorful and literate. He delivers tales of reckless behavior and intimate debauchery with an emotional reverberation that will resonate with a wide reading audience. 
A man whose fans and friends refer to as  “The Maestro of Rock,” Wagner shares a lifetime of experience as a songwriter, lead guitarist and producer/arranger with top international performance and recording artists, including Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Air Supply, and dozens more. ..

Free John Sinclair Rally Anniversary Events

John Sinclair and the White Panther Party's history is interwoven with events that transpired at the Grande Ballroom. On the 40th Anniversary of the Free John Sinclair rally and concert at Ann Arbor's Crisler Arena, the following events are planned:


Friday Dec. 9 - Commander Cody Band Concert at The Ark, 316 S. Main St., with special guest John Sinclair & Beatnik Youth - Admission is free.  Ark Web Site
Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen were also on the bill at the Dec. 10, 1971 Free John Sinclair Rally.


Friday Dec. 9 - The launch of a new website, "Freeing John Sinclair," is part of the Ann Arbor District library's website, aadl.org.


Saturday December 10 - 1:00 p.m. A panel discussion featuring John and Leni Sinclair, Pun Plamondon, David Fenton, and Genie Parker moderated by Professor Bruce Conforth at the Michigan Union, 530 S. State St.


Saturday, December 10 - 3 p.m. The Hill Street Reunion at the Michigan Union Ballroom.
Reunion Invitation.


The 1510 and 1520 Hill Street addresses in Ann Arbor served as a base of operations for the Sinclairs and White Panther party members. Hill street was also the hub of organization for the 1971 Free John Sinclair Freedom rally.  Sinclair had been given ten years in prison for possessing two marijuana cigarettes. Shortly after the event, Sinclair was released.

White Panther Party coming home to Ann Arbor - Ann Arbor News

John Sinclair recalls impact, importance of Freedom Rally - Ann Arbor News

Dick Wagner at The Magic Bag !

DICK WAGNER deFROSTed
featuring Prakash John & Ray Goodman
with special guests The Trews
Doors 8 p.m.
$20.00
 

 http://www.themagicbag.com/welc.htm

MC5: A True Testimonial - Film Funding Indiegogo

The funding attempt through Kickstartrer did not attain its goal.
Organizers have started a new campaign through Indiegogo.
I highly recommend contributing.

http://www.indiegogo.com/MC5-TrueTestimonial

MC5 - A True Testimonial" Jailbreak!!!

I highly recommend contributing to this very worthy project. I was fortunate enough to see a True Testimonial and it is a very well researched record of the 5 and their accomplishments. It deserves a wide and legitimate release !

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orchide-detroit/mc5-a-true-testimonial

STANLEY T. MADHATTER OFFICIAL MEMORIAL TRIBUTE BENEFIT

From Michele Lundgren:

Our beloved Stanley T. Madhatter passed away in his room in Ypsilanti on the morning of January 3, 2011. The proceeds of the benefit will go towards the cost of his cremation (already done and paid for but we need to reimburse the donor).
This is THE send off party for The Madhatter! He will be there in spirit along with his top hat, his vest, and his trusty leather coat! Three live bands, a silent auction, raffles and Madhatter personal memorabilia will be on display! All are welcome and will be encouraged to share and talk about Stanley on stage between the sets. Motor City Rah Rahs will be on hand to help hostess the event. $5 cover at the door.

Reverend Marc Falconberry
Crooked Joint

The Shades of Blue

Cover: $5
Doors: 6 P.M.
New Dodge Lounge

8850 Jos. Campau (just south of Holbrook)

Hamtramck, MI

 

 

Stanley T, Madhatter Benefit Show.

A Benefit show for the late Stanley T. Madhatter will be held at the New Dodge Lounge in Hamtramck this Thursday . More details to follow.

Alberta Muirhead Passes

I am very saddened to announce that Russ Gibb's long time partner, Alberta Muirhead has passed away. Ms. Muirhead, of Dearborn's Muirhead Department store family, was a very well respected businesswoman and philanthropist. Here are the details on services and visitation:

Howe Peterson Funeral Home
22546 Michigan Avenue
Dearborn, MI

Sunday, Jan. 16th: Family 3-4
Visitation 4-9

Monday, Jan. 17th: Visitation 1-9

Tuesday, Jan. 18th: Service 11:30

Alberta's wishes were that any gifts should be given to Oakwood Health Care Foundation, Alberta Muirhead's Nursing Scholars. http://www.oakwood.org/?id=2020&sid=13

 

This black and white shot was selected from a series of photos taken in 1971 for a womens wear magazine. Mrs. Muirhead was one of Dearborn's business leaders and an arbiter of taste and style. Like Mr. Gibb, she was always on the leading edge.

Photo Credit: Dennis Early

Dearborn Press and Guide Tribute

Stanley T, Madhatter (Stanley Zillifro) 1948-2011

 

Stanley T. Madhatter, legendary Rock n' Roll MC and Bon Vivant, has left our physical plane. 

I thought I would share this, my favorite photo of Stan taken by our friend Dane Gussin. This was shot the day after the Grande 40th Anniversary show in October of 2006. After a long night, it was a beautiful warm October Sunday morning that greeted about a dozen mostly out of towners gathered to pay homage to the Grande. Stanley answered everyone's questions, told many stories and posed for photos with the kids. After everyone filled up their camera memory cards we all went out to breakfast. What a wonderful morning with everyone buzzing about the great concerts that had transpired 24 hours and 40 years past. RIP Stan !

Here is a great write up about Stanley from Roger Lelievre:

Ann Arbor.com

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