I was driving North on Schaefer Avenue, south of Fenkell Street, in Detroit. I noticed on the right a bold commercial wall, a painted advertisement — “I Make Stars” — for Bill Cason Photography. I stopped to admire it. Upon closer investigation, I noticed the signature of Curtis Lewis at the lower left of the […]
David Clements Documentary Photo Archive
The 2019 Motown A Go Go at Bert’s Warehouse Stage in the Eastern Market area of Detroit attracted over 300 dedicated music lovers from Great Britain’s Northern Soul Movement, in addition to a substantial Metro Detroit audience. The event spans four nights of live performances by 23 or so musical artists/acts that recorded in Detroit […]
I walked into the cavernous Bert’s Warehouse Stage in Detroit’s Eastern Market for a photo shoot at the 2018 Detroit A Go Go Friday night show. A trim guitarist with red shoes was tearing up the stage, bending strings, backed by the house band that featured a 10-year-old harmonica player, Mighty Michael Mendelson. I would […]
I first saw Ronnie McNeir – a 20-year veteran of The Four Tops – perform solo at the Detroit A Go Go 2017. He took the stage in a blue graduation cap and gown. I had no idea what he was doing. Turns out Ronnie was performing his first 45 song, Sitting in My Class, […]
Detroit’s transportation arteries are bright red. Streetscape architecture needs a gimmick to attract the fleeting attention of passing motorists. In this instalment of Multicolor Motown I’ve gathered examples of the use of red in advertising and landscape. What few examples of red neon signage still found in Detroit stand boldly against the elements. Kowalski “Kowality” […]
I stopped at Euclid and Brush St. in Detroit to photograph the exterior of W.F. Reynolds Plumbing. Great light! I was preparing for an interview with owners Frank and Stephanie Reynolds later in the month. I was standing on that corner framing up the shot when an SUV drove up. Out popped a woman who […]
Thousands lined up in the August heat of Detroit for the two-day Aretha Franklin Memorial at the Wright Museum of African-American History. The memorial audience was in a great mood. RESPECT blasted from a local radio station tent. The vendors marketed food, clothing, and jewelry to the surging audience. Nation of Islam was also […]
Blog Copy – Andy Levin and John Lewis August 3, 2018 Civil rights icon and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, 78, hospitalized in Atlanta after falling ill during a flight – Daily Mail Did I have the last photographic images of the civil rights legend and politician? Earlier in the day I attended a rally for Andy Levin, […]
I arrived late to the City of Ecorse annual River of Fire Walleye Fishing Tournament. The Ecorse Heavy Hitters Fire Department hosted the tournament, proudly displaying their shinny fire engine parked at the dock gate in case of fire run. I didn’t see any “River of Fire”. The Ecorse Dock office on the Detroit River […]
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 […]