Somewhere along the line rock music has lost its meaning. Metro Detroit was once an angst ridden breeding ground for some foundational sounds that built an entire industry. A lot has been said about Iggy Pop, (yes, he really did attend Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor) and the MC5, (I hear another documentary is in the works) and lately the White Stripes has received a lot of attention. I actually credit Jack White for saving rock radio in the 90’s. Without his hard earned efforts we would have to warble along to the sad tunes of so many Pearl Jam rip off groups. It really is about as dismal as all that.
On April 8, 2010 I was confronted with some depressing news. Punk rock pioneer Malcom McLaren died in New York City at the age of 64. This rabble rouser single handedly crafted one of the most destructive and intriguing art movements in modern history. Behind him walked a parade of amazing characters including Sid Vicious, Cat Woman, The Sex Pistols, Johnny Rotten and in short created a revolution. Detroit has that some propensity about it when you look at the Motown Sound. We have giants that once walked our city streets too like Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and David Ruffin. These personalities have shaped up an entire industry.
Lately those sounds of revolution have fallen silent. The streets of Detroit are somewhat barren to the earlier years. If you have a band it is preferred if you sell your own tickets to get people into the gigs. What has happened to Detroit is pathetic. We are gifted with many tribute bands that pay homage to Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Bob Segar which is very odd to me. What is even more disturbing is that people in my generation have paid less attention to rock music and pop culture altogether in favor of depressing get quick rich schemes. It’s downright disgusting.
If Detroit is ever to stand up for anything again besides the automotive industry or the up and coming film industry we need to look at the music situation once again. We need to see more original acts and venues that will not turn away potential audiences. It is going to be difficult to sustain any type of long lasting effects by treating the music industry, what made us once great, as left over garbage. Music is an energy, it’s an artform and it’s a much needed industry to Detroit.
Metro Detroit based, Hot Metro Finds.com, is dedicated to helping the entertainment sector of the S.E. Michigan music scene. Online marketing innovator, Ted Cantu has this to say, “Detroit needs to remember to keep doing what it used to do best – innovating. That is what has always kept the city strong and honestly, it does this better than anyone else. That is what is so exciting about living here especially during this time of economic uncertainty. This entire region is about to burst with creativity. If you look closely, it is already happening.”
