Grande Ballroom
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A historic live music venue located at 8952 Grand River, in Detroit, Michigan. The building was designed by Detroit engineer and architect Charles N. Agree in 1928 [1]and originally served as multi-purpose building hosting retail business and a large dance hall. During this period the Grande was renowned for its outstanding hardwood dance floor which took up most of the second floor.
In 1966 the Grande was acquired by Dearborn, Michigan high school teacher and local radio DJ Russ Gibb. Gibb was inspired by visiting the San Fransisco Fillmore Theater, and envisioned a similar venue in Detroit for the new psychedelic music and a resource for local teenagers. Gibb worked closely with Detroit counterculture figure John Sinclair in bringing in bands, both from San Fransisco and harder-edged psychedelic rock bands gathering around Detroit's Plum Street community. National and international acts of this period included, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Cream and The Who. The MC5 and The Stooges served as house bands, assuring weekly performances. The Grande also featured the avant guard jazz of John Coltrane and Sun Ra.[2]
Performances of this period were frequently advertised by the distinctive psychedelic handbills of Gary Grimshaw.[3] The Grande's rock'n'roll counter cultural experience was extensively documented by Detroit photographer Leni Sinclair.[4]
GPS Coordinates: Lat - 42 21 879' Lon - 83 07 703'
[edit] References
- ^ Building of Detroit
- ^ Grandee Ballroom Showlist from Motor City Music Archives
- ^ Gary Grimshaw's Homepage.
- ^ Detroit Metro Times article on Leni Sinclair's photography
