Detroit, most known for Motown, has a vibrant rock, EDM, rap, hip-hop and blues scene. But, they can all thank jazz, blues, and the African-American population in the 30's and 40's for kickstarting neighborhoods where music swelled.
The influence of African Americans ran the gamut from boogie-woogie style blues of Big Maceo Merriweather to the gospel and soul of Aretha Franklin. The famous blues man, John Lee Hooker, recorded his first single "Boogie Chillin" in Detroit.
The influence of African Americans ran the gamut from boogie-woogie style blues of Big Maceo Merriweather to the gospel and soul of Aretha Franklin. The famous blues man, John Lee Hooker, recorded his first single "Boogie Chillin" in Detroit.
Many artists that you have known for all your life are from Detroit, and you never knew it. Below, you will find out who, exactly, was from Detroit, and what rose them up above all the others. For decades, Detroit has expanded their musical communities into a wider range of genres. Some of the more prominent artists you might recognize are: Check out these two greatest hits:
- Ted Nugent
Currently, many people have stereotypes of Detroit. They range from thinking Detroit is a wasteland to it being a glorious city. What people don't realize is that Detroit was a famous city for many things, and still is. Detroit, "Motor City", is magnificent in many ways, but what you are about to read is everything you need to know about the musical industry throughout Detroit. The "Motor City" is extremely well-known for top-shelf albums and artists. Below are highlights from each genre:
Techno
Techno
- In the mid to late 1980's, this new dance music started in Detroit. At the beginning, it started small, led by "The Belleville Three" and Eddie Folks. Its popularity has grown into an annual techno music festival called Movement.
- Rock and Roll started in Detroit in the early 1950's with a near top-20 hit from Hank Ballard & the Midnighters. And throughout the 1990's, The White Stripes were one on the most popular bands for rock. Over the years, rock has changed a lot. But for most people, it changed for the better.
- Detroit was the host to most of the participants of the Classic female blues, which includes Mamie Smith, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Ida Cox, Clara Smith, etc. John Lee Hooker recorded his first hit in Detroit.
- Kid Rock was one of the first rappers to be discovered in Detroit, and since then hip-hop has exploded in growth. For example: after Dr. Dre found Eminem, Eminem's sales have topped everyone else's. New rap artists are still coming up all over the world, but Kid Rock was where it all started for Detroit.