“Jimmy Mack! Jimmy Mack!! When are you Coming Back? My Jimmy Mack! (Release 1967 – #10 in US peak charts, #1 US R & B, #21UK) was the hit Motown tune I heard on the phone while waiting to speak to Annette Beard-Helton. An original Vandella. I had met the Original Vandellas […]
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The Detroit Free Press recently published an article in anticipation of the upcoming Detroit Giants of Gospel show. This Friday at the Ellen Kayrod Gallery, Kelly and the world of Detroit gospel will come into focus via the work of street photographer David Clements. Titled “Detroit Giants of Gospel Music,” the photo exhibit runs through […]
The flyer for the 45th Anniversary of the Heavenly Stars of Detroit is reminiscent of the large posters that gospel music promoters used to staple and nail to telephone poles and wooden walls around Detroit. A national gospel act – The Brooklyn Allstars – will headline the show. This group has been performing since 1950 […]
Mateen Cleave, Flint native and a favorite athlete, met me at Berston Field House on Saginaw Street to assist in location scouting for an upcoming music video for his friend Jon Connor, rapper and producer. Guerilla Hollywood Productions flies in from L.A. next week to shoot. Berston is the home to nearly every African-American athlete […]
David Clements & Ellen Kayrad Gallery present Detroit Greats of Gospel Music Opening April 28 2017 Exhibition available to the public through June 16 2017 Ellen Kayrod Gallery.org The Masters of Harmony Perform at 7 PM Led by Thomas Kelly, age 103, perhaps the oldest musician in Detroit and North America. Mr. Kelly has led […]
As Detroit continues to re-purpose architecture, especially bank buildings, the Society of Commercial Archeology – Journal ran a one page look at buildings that were once servicing nearly every major route in Detroit. Now most of the buildings are providing sites for churches and mosques, hardware and hair, or simply setting empty with beautiful cut […]
Green exterior paint sales had a brief boom-now fading. Last I read, the City of Detroit had over 200 green beacons of hope. Medical marijuana dispensaries. This new business life in Detroit is coming off rapid growth, now that the City is beginning to monitor and regulate the location of stores established […]
Bikers for Christ are looking for new members. Detroit Renegades are staked out on W. 8 Mile between Woodward and John R St. with their own outdoor advertising display signaling their presence. Sin City Deciples and Satan’s Sidekick Motorcycle Clubs of Detroit are rumored to be looking for new members. […]
“When we bought this building in 2001, all the buildings on Michigan Avenue were occupied, even with a bad economy”. Now they are nearly all empty or gone. For 15 years Angel and Gladys Cancel have kept Angel’s Place Restaurant open, serving food from their home, Puerto Rico. The interior is very basic, with homeland […]
I have never seen a more patriotic business on a summer day. In the clean morning light, the business vibrantly calls for recognition in Detroit. Flags flying, green grass, flowers, and layers of security. “You never know who may just walk right in and try to rob me”. He has permits for multiple guns and […]