Rock and roll has gone through so many stages in such a
short time. Where performers once toured the country playing at American Legion
halls and high school gymnasiums they now play to arenas. When it began you had
a touring band and a few spotlights, now we have laser shows, flame throwers
and big screen TVs. The one thing that has fallen short though is music. Music
was once played by actual performers in the bands you went to see. Those have
been replaced with vocal tracks and recorded music. Ah there was a time…
Most people have heard about the Fillmore, east AND west,
that founder Bill Graham turned into the mecca for rock fans of the sixties.
But how many are aware of The Grande Ballroom?
LOUDER THAN LOVE tells the story of The Grande Ballroom.
Founded in 1966 by teacher and part time DJ Russ Gibb it was inspired by a trip
he made to San Francisco to that legendary Fillmore Theater. Inspired he
wondered why something like that hadn’t been tried in Detroit where he lived.
Taking on the task he opened the venue at the perfect time since the Detroit
area was blooming with some of the hottest up and coming performers of the
time.
The movie tells the story using a combination of stills and
interviews with a ton of celebrities who played there over the years. All
that’s missing is actual footage of the locale, missing I’m guessing because
none exists. That’s quite sad learning its history. Sadder still is to get a
glimpse of what the once well know location has become, a shell of itself and
now in ruins. Why some historical society has failed to take on this building
as a project is a shame. Then again with so little money in the coffers of
Detroit that may be why.
The venue was noted for being the birthplace of MC5, one of
the most influential bands of the time. Their live album was recorded there. As
a matter of fact they were one of the house bands as well as The Stooges. Other
groups to perform their included Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, The
Grateful Dead, Cream, Procol Harum and The Who.
A number of those who performed there are included in
interviews in this film, a loving tribute to the venue. Included among those
are Wayne Kramer, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent, Mark Farner, B.B. King, Henry
Rollins, Tom Morello and Lemmy.
The Grande Ballroom was a celebration of live music, the
shows that were performed by the actual musicians to raving fans of the time.
The movie pays tribute to the good times had by all there. In the end it makes
you long for the days of live music, when seeing a band meant actually seeing
the band, when music was what mattered rather than the spectacle it’s become.
If you missed out on it give this movie a look and realize what once was and is
now sorely missing. While watching you’ll find yourself wanting to pull out
those old albums to listen to and take the time to KICK OUT THE JAMS!
Click here to order.
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