The Grande Ballroom - Leo Early

 The Grande Ballroom is, of course, the Detroit showroom made famous by the MC5 recording their live debut, Kick Out the Jams, on its stage, as well as hosting innumerable touring acts throughout the 60's and 70's. But this book does not simply concentrate on the Ballroom's rock'n'roll heyday, it explores the building's inception through its many incarnations - theater, ballroom, skating rink, dance hall, doo-wop haven, etc. - until it became the concert venue that it is now known for.

The beginning of the book details the men behind the evolving businesses - at times with a bit more detail than I felt was necessary, but I suppose that is the author's prerogative, although it sometimes feels like he is trying to pad out the book a bit. But the story gets going with the introduction of John and Leni Sinclair and the MC5, who became the Grande Ballroom's first house band in the room's mid-60's incarnation.

As the book continues, Early introduces the people behind the scenes - employees of the Grande along with promoters and other assorted characters - as well as the local acts that played there, and lists some of the major acts that performed. As with just about everything, the ballroom's heyday faded, concerts moved elsewhere, promoters concentrated on larger concerts and the Grande stopped its regular gigs. It was rented out now'n'again for a while then went through a number of owners, oddly, most of them being church-related. As of the end of the book - and I believe it still is - the building is in disrepair and the current owners do not seem to care much for its heritage or historical status (something that the author has tried to initiate).

The Grande is a fabled hall and innumerable famous acts rocked its stage (a full list of performers is included) and its tale needed to be told. The book is relatively brief - barely over 200 pages - but it is fun and informative. I'm glad that people still care for this piece of history!