The Grande Ballroom

The Grande Ballroom is a historic live music venue located at 8952 Grand River Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. In 1966 the Grande was acquired by Dearborn, Michigan, high school teacher and local radio DJ Russ Gibb. Gibb was inspired by visiting San Francisco's 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 and legendary Hugh "JEEP" Holland (agent, producer manager of many local bands) in bringing in bands from San Francisco, Europe and the neighbouring States and the top level of local/regional rock bands, including the MC5, SRC, Jagged Edge, Rationals, Catfish, Frost, Savage Grace, James Gang, Ted Nugent, Wilson Mower Pursuit, Sky, Third Power, All the Lonely people, Teegarden and Vanwinkle and many others who were gathering around Detroit's Plum Street community as well as the suburbs, as far afield as Ann Arbor. With managers Tom Wright, Bill Robbins and others (including, periodically Jeep and Sinclair themselves) and legendary local character (and all round goodguy) Dave Miller, the club booked and presented many national and international acts - as well as future Rock and Roll Hall of Famers - of this period included Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, The Grateful Dead, Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Jeff Beck, Procol Harum, Creamand The Who. The MC5, The Tymes, and The Stooges served as house bands, assuring weekly performances.