The Detroit Sound

What do people usually say when you ask them what they think about when the subject is the music coming out of Detroit? Yeah, they say Motown … and that’s perfectly understandable.

After all, the “Motor City” gave us the Supremes, Temptations, Jackson 5, Four Tops, Marvelettes, Martha & The Vandellas, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and many, many more.

Nobody blended soul, R&B, and pop music quite like the best Motown artists of all-time. Founded by Berry Gordy Jr. in 1959, Motown Records was as attached to Detroit as the Beatles were to Liverpool.

But there is more to Detroit than the classic Motown sound. I will do a medley of those artists soon, but today’s medley features rock and roll artists who were born in or near Detroit.

Memories … That’s What We’re All About

Play buttons are on the left … Volume sliders are on the right

The Rock Side of Detroit

Del Shannon – Hank Ballard & The Midnighters
Reflections – Alice Cooper
Suzi Quatro (and Chris Norman) – Marshall Crenshaw
Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels – Bob Seger

Comments (14)

  1. Marty

    Indeed maestro! Alice Cooper? I guess school is in this morning.

    1. Ray (Post author)

      School is definitely in this morning, Marty! Nice to know you enjoyed the medley.
      Rock The Day!

  2. Fred

    Ray you always give us great songs and great memories!! We don’t have to go searchin’ for great tunes!! People are coming from miles around!! Ray I don’t have much time today but the Reflections Last night was a Midnighter look at the moon on our lake!! I feel sometimes like Romeo and Juliet were watching me!! And what the heck no more Mr nice guy no matter where you go love is a flame burning with in!! We were so young Ray but whatever you need I’ll come stumblin’ in!! I remember times when Marty and I would come stumblin’ in!! After all we were just lookin’ for a single girl!! Ray remember the devil with the blue dress on?? She was a humdinger!! Good golly Ray she reminded me of Miss Molly!! I remember we’d take the old records of the shelf!! Man did we like that old fashion rock and rock and roll!! I still reminisce about those old days of Rock and Roll!! And I still look forward for what you got coming next!! Loved this Ray!! And I still reminsce about all of us and the good times we all had together!! love ya!! P.S keep that motor runnin”!!!

    1. Ray (Post author)

      Super job today, Fred! Humorous, as always, but a tale filled with memories, too! Your stories have become a vital part of these medleys. I know it’s not always easy for you but I admire your tenacity to see them through. Today I feel the need to let you know I love you and the man you are. You rock, Fred Guilmette!
      LOVE YA!

  3. Hawthorne Mary Helen

    I love that old time Rock ‘n Roll
    The kind of music that soothes the soul
    Enjoyed

    1. Ray (Post author)

      Thanks, Mary Helen 🥰
      Call me a relic, call me what you will
      Say I’m old fashioned, say I’m over the hill
      Today’s music ain’t got the same soul
      I like that old time rock and roll

  4. Pat Conant

    Ashamed to say, when I saw the list of singers, there were several I didn’t recognize. But when I listened to the medley, I sure remembered the songs! Bob Seger says it all: I sure do love that old time rock& roll! And, you are right, Ray, Fred is certainly an important part in our enjoyment of these medleys. Thanks, Ray and Fred!

    1. Ray (Post author)

      Thanks, Pat 🥰
      I think it’s great that even though you didn’t recognize some of the artist names, you still listened and discovered you did remember the songs! I can almost guarantee you are going to remember all of tomorrow’s songs, too! They are from 1956-1964.
      And we do love our Fred, don’t we? 🥰

  5. Penny

    OMG .. couldn’t remember if I said something or not ……. golden years .. gotta love em .. NOT!!
    great hits out of Detroit .. for some reason, I can’t picture Alice Cooper being from Detroit, LA yes, Detroit no!! Of course my favorite is Bob Segar …….. I like that old time rock and roll …. love it!!!!!!!!
    Have a good night, stay safe and warm my friend!

    1. Ray (Post author)

      Thanks, Penny 🥰
      I’m happy you enjoyed them. There were so many Seger songs I could have played but it seems like everyone has always loved Old Time Rock and Roll!
      Stay Safe!

  6. EILEEN S CORRIE

    You are right Ray…I do think Motown but it truly was a MUSIC CITY with it all. Some great sounds all around.
    As always, Thanks for the memories and the RE-Education 🙂

    1. Ray (Post author)

      Thanks, Eileen 🥰
      There will be a barrage of Motown coming soon but I wanted to emphasize that Detroit was much more than Motown. 🙂
      As always, thank you for listening and Rock The Day!

  7. Sandy Gaither

    I definitely do love that old time rock and roll! My gosh I would’ve never dreamed that some of these came out of Detroit, but then I’m not so sure that I would’ve ever known the difference. Thank you for letting us know this is a great lesson you know we all thought about the Philadelphia sound but we just didn’t or at least I never identified. This was great certainly was a toe tapper, and I do remember all the songs! Not ashamed to admit my age!! This was another good medley! Ray, you’re the best! ❤️

    1. Ray (Post author)

      Thanks, Sandy 🥰
      I think most people don’t know (or truly care) where some of these musicians came from. I just did Detroit for a fun “Rock Factoid” kind of thing and to point out that the city is musically famous for much more than Motown.
      NEVER be ashamed to admit your age. You are living proof that age is only a number. ❤️

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