Michigan's greatest music stars

Who are Michigan's greatest music stars?

Actually, there might be more to choose from than you think.

Of course, Detroit was home to famed Motown Records, presenting the "Sound of Young America" as envisioned by founder Berry Gordy. Gordy brought us the incomparable "Little" Stevie Wonder ("I Just Called to Say I Love You"), born Steveland Morris in Saginaw. A member of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, he's recorded at least 65 hit singles, including nine at No. 1.

The Four Tops ("I Can't Help Myself") and Temptations ("My Girl") fascinated us with their vocal abilities and were rewarded with 100 chart entries and places in the Hall of Fame.

The Supremes racked up 12 No.1 singles, including "Baby Love," in a brief period with lead singer Diana Ross ("Endless Love") adding six more chart-toppers as a solo artist. Label-mates The Miracles ("Tears of a Clown") charted 46 times, while leader Smokey Robinson ("Being with You") added 25 more as a solo performer.

Don't forget two more Hall of Famers: Marvin Gaye ("I Heard it Through the Grapevine") and Martha and the Vandellas ("Dancing in the Streets"). Mary Wells responded to the Temptations with "My Girl" and more than 20 other chart entries.

Michigan has produced at least two "queens." Aretha Franklin ("Respect"), who recorded for Atlantic Records, is known-- rightly--as the Queen of Soul. Born in Memphis, but raised in Detroit, Aretha has more than 75 chart entries. Pop diva Madonna, meanwhile, is considered by some as the "Queen of Pop." Born Madonna Ciccone in Bay City, her string of hits began with "Borderline," and continues with her recent release, "Confessions on a Dance Floor." Aretha was the first woman inducted into the Hall of Fame and Madonna, with 35 Top Ten tunes, is sure to follow.

Lots of rockers sprung from Michigan roots including 2004 Hall of Famer Bob Seger ("Shakedown"), U. P. favorite Ted Nugent ("Cat Scratch Fever") and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels ("Devil with the Blue Dress On"). Tommy James ("Crimson and Clover") was born in Dayton, Ohio, but raised in downstate Niles. The late singer and Hall of Fame inductee Del Shannon ("Runaway") was born in downstate Coopersville.

Speaking of "cooper," Detroit-born rocker Vincent Furnier found fame when he changed his name to Alice Cooper and recorded "School's Out." Don't forget Grand Funk Railroad ("The Loco-motion") hailed from Flint. For a time, Mark, Don and Mel were more famous than the Beatles, or so the legend goes.

In recent years, the Grand Rapids band Verve Pipe hit the charts with "Freshmen," while Detroit's White Stripes-- a duo featuring Jack White and his ex-wife Meg-- have put five long players on the chart to the delight of their many fans.

Saginaw produced the Latino band ? and the Mysterians who hit with "96 Tears." Based in Detroit, punk rock pioneers MC5 ("Kick Out the Jams") had a trio of great albums on Elektra Records. Iggy Pop, born James Osterberg in Muskegon, and the Stooges were equally influential.

When the New Wave fad arrived later in the decade, the Romantics struck gold with their recording of "Talking in Your Sleep."

By the 1990s, hip-hop was in style and Detroit's Eminem, born Marshall Mathers, became its most famous star. He'll add another disc to his hit list when "Curtain Call" is released on Dec 6. Dearborn native Kid Rock, born Robert Ritchie, meanwhile, scored with "Picture" in 2003 and dated Pamela Anderson to top it off.

Fellow hip hop stars Insane Clown Posse also come from suburban Detroit, but--despite their millions of fans--have been voted the worst band in any genre according to Rolling Stone and Spin magazine polls. Perhaps they shouldn't be considered in any "greatest" discussion.

So, who are Michigan's greatest music stars?

You decide.

Waiting for Pink Floyd memories

Nobody can accuse the legendary Pink Floyd and ex-bandmate (think: leader) Roger Waters of haste. Both have prominently resurfaced as rock icons due to the release of new material which has been years in the making.

Waters spent ten years working on "Ca Ira," an opera about the French Revolution which has quickly became a top selling classical title.

Pink Floyd, meanwhile, on Dec. 6 will release the "Pulse" DVD chronicling their final tour in 1994.

Much to the surprise of fans, Pink Floyd and Waters-- who talk to each other only through their lawyers-- reunited on July 2 at Hyde Park in London for a brief set during the Live 8 concerts. Waters announced, however, there would be no permanent reunion.

The four disc Live 8 DVD preserves their new performances of "Speak to Me," "Breathe," "Money," "Wish You Were Here," and "Comfortably Numb." The last time Pink Floyd had performed with Waters was during 1983's "Final Cut" tour. Sadly, the 22 years since have been filled with legal and personal feuds.

That wasn't the case when "Dark Side of the Moon" (DSotM) was released on March 2, 1973. The entire band contributed songs to this classic concept album which dealt with the pressures of life and proved very popular with radio programmers.

In fact, generations of fans are familiar with this album. It peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard magazine album chart and is the second best selling disc of all time, with an estimated 40 million copies sold worldwide. Even at this late date, the album sells a phenomenal 8,000 copies a week. It's said one in every 14 Americans under the age of 50 owns a copy.

The group followed up in 1979 with another opus, a two-disc multi-million selling set titled "The Wall."

With that back-drop, Pink Floyd fans from the Upper Peninsula traveled by bus on July 3, 1994 to see the band perform at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. Without Waters, the band played uncompromising versions of songs from the then-new "Division Bell" as well as DSotM in its entirety.

Despite rain, the crowd enjoyed a great show featuring David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Richard Wright and an eight-person back-up band. The "Pulse" DVD will feature the concert's back-screen stage projections and numerous videos.

Our willingness to endure long hours of bus travel was primed by Pink Floyd's classic albums as well as an incident from the early 1990s.

It happened on a forgotten date circa 1993. Two well dressed women entered the Record Rack, then located at 1107 Ludington St. They looked around and complimented owner Sue Seymour on the collection of rock 'n' roll memorabilia displayed on the walls. The women, with British accents, mentioned they were "on holiday," traveling from Detroit to Minneapolis by car.

A few minutes after they left, a man wearing a brown leather bomber jacket, entered the store. He checked under "P" and "W" in the compact disc section (presumably for Pink Floyd and Roger Waters titles) and looked about. He then approached Sue at the check out counter and mentioned the store's display of signed photographs.

"I see you have a lot of autographs," the man said. "Yes, I do," Sue responded. "Would you like mine?" the man asked. "O.K., but who are you?" Sue replied.

"Give me a piece of paper and pen," the man said. He scribbled a note and quickly left. It read: "You're not just another brick in the wall. (signed) Roger Waters, Pink Floyd." Sue later confirmed Waters' identity through photos and comparisons with other autographs.

Meeting Roger Waters and seeing Pink Floyd perform would probably top any fan's want list. Now we've finally got the music and video to back-up the memories.

Ten memorable live discs

What are rock's greatest live recordings? That probably depends on your criteria, but certainly performance, song selection and sound quality must be considered. And, don't forget the "feel" of a live recording, surrounding you with atmospheric sounds as if you're sitting in the front row. With that in mind, the following titles, in alphabetical order, can't be ignored as among the best in the genre:

J. GEILS BAND, FULL HOUSE- Recorded over two nights at the Cinderella Ballroom in Detroit, this is THE party record of all time. Razor sharp from years of touring, vocalist Peter Wolf, guitarist Geils and bandmates storm through a set of mostly covers sure to get you movin'. Magic Dick's harp fills are phenomenal and the rhythm section cooks. You won't forget opener "First I Look at the Purse" and "Whammer Jammer." At the time, everybody knew these songs.

GRATEFUL DEAD, HUNDRED YEAR HALL- The Dead, with the distinctive guitar of Jerry Garcia, performed for adoring fans for thirty years. The band itself recorded thousands of shows and they even encouraged fans to do the same with their famous "tapers' section." While you can find many great Dead live efforts, including some more famous, this outing is nothing short of superb. Jerry and bassist Phil Lesh power the band through two and one-half hours of classic material and jam until the European audience is convinced of of the Dead's prowess. "Cryptical Envelopment " alone lasts 36 minutes, for you doubters.

JIMI HENDRIX, LIVE AT WINTERLAND- Lots of great Jimi performances have been released since the guitar master died over 30 years ago. While "Band of Gypsys" was the only live album released during his lifetime, this Ryko release aptly demonstrates Hendrix' timeless appeal. This historic disc was digitally mixed and mastered from original multi-track recordings and features over an hour of hits and four tracks unavailable elsewhere. Jimi at his best.

GEORGE HARRISON & FRIENDS, CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH- Just re-released on CD and DVD, this was the first superstar concert for the benefit of charity. Organized by Harrison for the relief of refugees from Bangladesh, this show features Eric Clapton. Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Leon Russell and Billy Preston performing before an appreciative crowd at a time when musicians and their fans thought music could change the world. The re-issue includes the addition of Dylan's "Love Minus Zero/ No Limit." Harrison and his co-performers earned Grammys for best disc of the year.

VARIOUS ARTISTS, CONCERT FOR GEORGE- Staged a year after George Harrison's death, this 2002 effort defines the modern rock concert. Organized by Eric Clapton, myriad stars give masterful takes on the Harrison songbook. Ex-bandmate Paul McCartney delivers stunning versions of "For You Blue" and the signature "All Things Must Pass". His ukulele backed "Something" is especially touching. The two-disc set also includes Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and Ringo Starr. Also available as a flawless DVD program.

MC5, KICK OUT THE JAMS- A perfect document for the rock 'n' roll community around Detroit in the late Sixties- early Seventies period. Recorded at the Grande Ballroom on Oct. 30-31, 1968, this disc provided the blueprint for punk bands for generations to come. The MC5, led by singer Rob Tyner, was so incendiary as to be barely contained on disc. With the unforgettable introduction of Brother J. C. Crawford, this disc transports you to an ancient and incredibly exciting era. No kidding.

VARIOUS ARTISTS, CONCERT FOR THE ROCK 'N' ROLL HALL OF FAME- Recorded in Cleveland, this show rocked the 60,000 people lucky enough to attend. Starting with "R. O. C. K. in the U. S. A." by John Mellencamp, this show featured rock's elite performing at the peak of their abilities. Bruce Springsteen, Allman Brothers, Johnny Cash. You get the idea. A priceless memento for why rock still matters.

BOB SEGER and THE SILVER BULLET BAND, LIVE BULLET- Seger laid the foundation for his national break-out with this impressive show before a home-town crowd. Recorded live at Detroit's Cobo Hall, this disc rocks hard with Seger's renditions of "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man," "Heavy Music," and "Let it Rock." Listening to this disc will make a Seger fan of anyone and shows why he deserved the wide recognition he attained the following year with "Night Moves."

THE WHO, LIVE AT LEEDS- Every Who fan holds this disc in high regard. With the dual attack of "Young Man Blues" and "Summertime Blues," this record cannot be denied. Singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon shred these songs. Call it the definition of rock 'n' roll.

VARIOUS ARTISTS, WOODSTOCK- Absolutely essential, even if you're not from the Woodstock generation. This presents the greatest players of an influential era making a gigantic statement. Nothing less. Whether by compact disc or movie, players such as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Santana, Jimi Hendrix and The Who deliver the goods in memorable fashion.

NIRVANA, MTV UNPLUGGED IN NEW YORK- Honorable mention.

Redefining 'old' in rock 'n' roll

Can you still rock 'n' roll at 40? How about 50? Can musicians who qualify for the senior citizen discount still fill arenas and put new albums on the charts?

Well, some aging rock stars have been answering those questions in recent months with a resounding "yes."

Original baby boomer stars who have refused to retire include Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Rod Stewart. Don't forget the touring titans-- The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney-- all over 60. Ironically, this is the rebellious generation, which in their youth, prompted kids not to trust anyone over 30.

Aerosmith, only slightly less curmudgeonly than the Stones, just released a new album, "Rockin' the Joint," coming 32 years after their "Dream On" smash hit. Formed in 1970, it took Aerosmith until 1998 to score a No. 1 hit in "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing."

60-year-old Stewart, a member of the Small Faces eons ago, is on his fourth volume of the "Great American Songbook" series. While not exactly rocking out, Stewart is selling scads of CDs by concentrating on interpreting old standards.

You may wish to see a little less of Ozzy Osbourne, frontman for hard rock pioneers Black Sabbath. Still, he has his heavy metal Ozzfest tour and "Osbournes" TV program. With a new album of cover songs out this week, you may argue whether he is aging gracefully, but he is aging.

Bob Dylan took America by storm as a young musician and poet more than forty years ago. Although the hits stopped coming almost four decades ago, Dylan-- at age 64-- continues to tour and release new material. He remains a cultural icon although contemporary radio would never play his songs (although maybe they should).

Clapton, regarded early in his career as a guitar god, turned 60 this year and celebrated by releasing "Back Home," a new studio album. A former member of the Yardbirds, Bluesbreakers, Cream, and Derek and the Dominos, Clapton has been indulging his blues persona in recent years.

He released two CD's of material written by Robert Johnson, covering all known recordings of the revered 1930's bluesman. Clapton also finally teamed with his hero, B. B. King, for a well-received collaborative effort. In working with King, who turned 80 in September, Clapton was a mere whipper-snapper by comparison.

In fact, while rock audiences adore their youthful hit-makers, blues fans seem to appreciate the elder musician who has honed his playing and singing over a lifetime.

The prolific Neil Young, who survived a brain aneurysm this year, continues to take his fans on a wide-ranging musical journey. He is so busy with recording new songs he can't find the time to prepare long-promised retrospective packages. The 59-year-old Young recently issued a disc called "Prairie Wind."

Even some stars who dominated the music business in recent years aren't quite so young. Madonna is 47. Members of U2, Metallica, Motley Crue and Bon Jovi are also in their 40s. The "Boss" Bruce Springsteen turned 56 in September.

The Sixties were a long time ago, but so were the Eighties. Both decades, in fact, now provide successful radio formats.

Many of rock's original stars survive and continue to perform. Chuck Berry, who brought his irresistible hits to American teenagers in the 1950's is also 80. The Godfather of Soul, James Brown is 72, while Fats Domino is 77. Piano-pounding Jerry Lee Lewis is 70, while Little Richard is 73. Hall of Famers Don and Phil Everly, are 68 and 66, respectively.

While it's unlikely any of rock's founders will return to prominence, the influential Sixties-era stars who survive may be re-defining what it means to be "old" in rock 'n' roll.

We'll wait to hear from Britney Spears, age 23.