This blog returns, after a long absence. I’ll try to post a few times a year. Thanks for reading.
I did a companion listing of jazz musicians in Detroit. I’ll put that up in this space soon. I did this Fourth Street Fair flyer. I was involved with organizing this fair and often performed there. I’m a performer myself. I’ve done a one-man puppet show since 1987. I’ve been the front man-main singer for the Spaceband since 1998. I was in the Don’t Look Now Jug Band in the 1990’s and the 2000’s.
Born in Detroit
Joe Weaver, Piano-vocals etc.
(1934-2006)
Johnny Bassett, Guitar-vocals etc.
(1935-2012)
Hank Ballard, Singer
(1927-2003)
Cub Koda, Guitar, Singer-Songwriter etc.
(1948-2000)
Suzi Quatro, Guitar, Singer-Songwriter etc.
(Born in 1950)
Dennis Coffey, Guitar
(Born in 1940)
Johnny Trudell, Various Instruments
(1939-2021)
James Jamerson, Bass
(1936-1983)
Johnny “Bee” Badanjek, Drummer
(Born in 1948)
Jim McCarty, Guitar
(Born in 1945)
Bob Seger, Guitar,Singer-Songwriter etc.
(Born in 1945)
Sixto Rodriguez, Guitar, Singer-Songwriter etc.
(1942-2023)
Aaron Ibn Pori Pitts
(1941-2022)
Wayne Kramer, Guitar, Singer-Songwriter etc.
(1948-2024)
Michael Davis, Bass
(1943-2012)
Don Was, Bass etc.
(Born in 1952)
Allee Willis, Songwriter
(1947-2018)
Sylvia Moy, Songwriter
(1938-2017)
Brian and Eddie Holland, Songwriters
(Born in 1941 and in 1939)
Lamont Dozier, Songwriter
(1941-2022)
Nathaniel Mayer, Singer
(1944-2008)
Maruga Booker, Drummer etc.
(Born in 1947)
Florence Ballard, Singer
(1943-1976)
Henry Fambrough, Singer (The Spinners)
(1938-2024)
J.J. Barnes, Singer
(1943-2022)
El DeBarge, Singer-Songwriter etc.
(Born in 1961)
Fernando Saunders, Guitar Bass etc.
(Born in 1975)
James Gurley, Guitar, (Big Brother and the Holding Company)
(1939-2009)
Glenn Frey, Guitar etc.
(1948-2016)
Jack White, Guitar, Singer-Songwriter etc.
(Born in 1975)
Donald Angelo Schwenk aka DAS, Singer-Songwriter etc.
Sufjan Stevens, Singer-Songwriter etc.
(Born in 1975)
Raised in Detroit
Bulee “Slim” Gaillard, Guitar, Singer-Songwriter etc.
(1911-1991)
Aretha Franklin, Singer
(1942-2018)
Little Willie John, Singer
(1937-1968)
Bettye Lavette
(Born in Muskegon, Michigan in 1945)
Otis Williams, Singer
(Born in 1941)
Ivy Jo Hunter, Singer-Songwriter-Producer
(1940-2022)
Sweet Pea Atkinson, Singer
(1925-2020)
Anita Baker, Singer
(Born in 1958)
Billy Davis, Guitar, Singer-Songwriter etc.
(Born in 1938)
Aaliyah, Singer
(1979-2001)
Connected with Detroit
John Lee Hooker, Guitar-vocals etc.
(1917? to 2001)
Eddie Kirkland, Guitar-vocals etc.
(1923-2011)
Jack Scott, Singer
(1936-2019)
Doctor Ross, Guitar-vocals etc.
(1925-1993)
Bobo Jenkins, Guitar-vocals etc.
(1916-1984)
Singer Philippé Wynne
(1941-1984)
Singer Marvin Gaye
(1939-1984)
David Ruffin, Singer
(1939-1984)
Melvin Davis, Singer
(Born in 1942)
Fred “Sonic” Smith, Guitar, Singer-Songwriter etc.
(1948-1994)
Ron Asheton, Guitar, Singer-Songwriter etc.
(1948-2009)
George Clinton
(Born in 1941)
Meg White, Drums etc.
(Born in 1974)
Joel Peterson, Bass etc.
From Saginaw
Stevie Wonder
(Born in 1950)
From Highland Park:
Jackie Wilson
(1934-1988)
From Hamtramck:
Mitch Ryder
(Born in 1945)
From Trenton/ Wyandotte:
Frank Pahl, Special Instruments, Composer etc
(Born in 1958)
From Livonia:
Warren Defever, Musician and Producer etc.
(Born in 1969)
From Oakland Township, Michigan:
Joe Henry, Guitar, Singer-Songwriter etc.
(Born in 1960)
Then there’s:
Barry Gordy, Jr.
(Born in 1929)
David DiChiera, Composer etc.
(1935-2014)
Bands/ Musical Groups from Detroit include the Donays, the Falcons, Nolan Strong and the Diablos, the Capitals, the Midnighters, the Four Tops, the Temptations, the Miracles, Martha and the Vandellas, the Velvelettes, the Supremes, the Funk Brothers, the Spinners, DeBarge, the Contours, the Jones Girls, the Detroit Wheels, Third Power, the Stooges, MC-5, the Frost, Frijid Pink, SRC, the Rockets, the Romantics, the Don’t Look Now Jug Band, The Luddites, the Layabouts, Was (Not Was), Funkadelic, Parliament, the White Stripes, Black Merda, Death, the Dirtbombs, the Detroit Cobras, Destroy All Monsters, Demolition Doll Rods, Adult, Outrageous Cherry, Negative Approach, the Laughing Hyenas, Bootsey X and the Lovemakers, the Mutants, Cinecyde, Electric Six, the Frut, the Gories, the Spaceband and Griot Galaxy.
Techno DJ’s include Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May, Carl Craig, Robert Hood, Latroit, Mike Huckaby and DJ Minx.
Rappers include Eminem, Danny Brown, Lizzo and J Dilla.
Honorable mentions: Larry Gabriel, Jimbo Easter, ? and the Mysterians (Bay City/Saginaw), Timmy Vulgar and Ralph Koziarski.
Sixto Diaz Rodriguez aka Rodriguez passed away during the run of this 2-week long exhibition at the library of the McNichols Campus of the University of Detroit Mercy. This project is dedicated in his memory.
I Hear Music 
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