The 20 greatest concert moments in Detroit music history

By Metro Times Staff

When it comes to music, few cities in the U.S. can boast as much music history as Detroit. For many artists, Detroit has long carried the reputation of being a city with an energetic and hungry crowd. In between tour stops in major cities like Chicago and Toronto, Detroit crowds know how have played host to some incredible, and at times sad, moments in rock music history.

Browse through these 20 greatest concert moments in Detroit music history to see why.

Words by Mike Dionne

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Marvin Gaye at Michigan State Fairground Coliseum

December 31, 1962
A legendary collection of Motown icons performed a New Years Eve concert at the Michigan State Fairgrounds to ring in the year 1963. Marvin Gaye was joined by Martha & The Vandellas, The Miracles, The Supremes, Mary Wells, and Stevie Wonder.

Photo by Flicker user tomovox

MC5 at Wayne State University’s Tartar Field

July 19, 1970
Two members of MC5, bassist Michael Davis and drummer Dennis Thompson, were Wayne State University alumni. So when the band performed in 1970 at Tartar Field the atmosphere was one of a long-awaited homecoming. With cars zipping by on the I-94 backdrop, the band kicked out the jams (motherfucker!) to thousands of joint-passing college students and rock fans.
Photo viaYouTube screengrab

The Beatles at Olympia Stadium

September 6, 1964
Beatles mania invaded Detroit for the first time in 1964 and those in attendance say that screaming fans basically drowned out the entire performance. The 15,000 capacity stadium sold out with quickly with tickets going for just $5, which today is remarkable by itself. The Beatles stayed at the Whittier Hotel, where the sheets they slept on were purchased by a radio station and cut into small squares and sold to fans.

Photo viaYouTube screengrab

Kiss at Cobo Hall

May 16, 1975
Another one of the greatest live rock albums of all time was recorded in-part at Cobo Hall. KISS’ Alive! album was the band’s first Gold-certified record, and it took place right here in Detroit. The performance inspired the 2001 movie Detroit Rock City, where a group of teenagers travel to Detroit to attend a KISS concert. A clip from the show can be seen here.

Photo by Jim Louvau

Bob Seger at Cobo Hall

September 4-5, 1975
Bob Seger’s epic album Live Bullet was recorded at Cobo Hall during this pair of 1975 concerts. In an era where live rock albums were all the rage, Seger’s live renditions of his greatest hits helped turn the page from Detroit rocker to mainstream national rock icon. The album stands the test of time as one of the best live rock albums ever and it’s only natural that it took place in Seger’s hometown.

Photo from Wikimedia Commons, public domain

The Who at Pontiac Silverdome

December 6, 1975
The Pontiac Silverdome became the largest stadium in the NFL when it opened in 1975. The Who were the first band to christen the new venue, packing in almost 76,000 fans and setting the record for the largest crowd at an indoor concert ever.

Photo by Jim Summaria,Wikimedia Commons

Led Zeppelin at Pontiac Silverdome

April 30, 1977
Just a year and a half after The Who set the record for the largest indoor concert ever, Led Zeppelin came to town and brought over 76,000 fans into the Pontiac Silverdome to break the record. Guitarist Jimmy Page told a Detroit radio station in 2014 that playing in the airlocked stadium was like something out of 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Photo by Bruce Alan Bennett/Shutterstock

Black Flag at Greystone Hall

June 27, 1986
The purveyors of West Coast punk rock, Black Flag, performed their final show at Detroit’s historic Graystone Hall formerly located on Michigan Ave. The venue is long gone, and the band is back with a new lineup, but punk rock purists will always point back to Black Flag’s prime which ended with this Detroit show in the summer of ‘86.

Photo via YouTube screengrab

Nirvana at St. Andrew's Hall

October, 11, 1991
Before Nirvana became the cultural icon and official representatives of grunge, they played a small show at St. Andrew’s Hall. Though they played in Detroit several times, anyone who attended this show holds bragging rights for seeing the legendary band before they exploded into the mainstream.

Photo by Fabio Diena/Shutterstock

Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins and Red Hot Chili Peppers at the State Theatre

November 22 & 23, 1991
In 1991, Pearl Jam toured in support of their breakout album Ten and brought along two other Hall of Fame rock bands, The Smashing Pumpkins and Red Hot Chili Peppers. The tour made a stop at the State Theatre (now The Fillmore), and no one could have guessed they were witnessing a unique combination of legendary bands who would still be active nearly 30 years later.

Photo by Flickr user perfectrx