If you lived in Detroit in the late Sixties, chances are you went to at least one concert event that involved Russell J. Gibb.
A professional educator by trade, Russ was working weekends as a Disc Jockey when he became involved in the Detroit sock hop scene. Russ soon found that he was making more in one weekend of sponsoring hops then he was making in a month teaching.
Inspiration would strike when, in September of 1966, Russ attended the wedding of a D.J. friend in San Francisco.
An evening out on the town with the wedding party included accepting a radio industry invite to Bill Graham's Fillmore West auditorium. Graham was promoting a Dance/Concert with a new act called the Byrds.
The party was knocked out by their experience that evening. Russ was amazed at the crowd of kids that were paying to hear and see these new groups perform original music.This was essentially what he was doing back in Detroit but on a much larger "hipper" scale. Gibb proceeded to interrogate Graham on everything from ticket sales to strobe lights.
On the plane back to Detroit the wheels were turning in Russ' head. He knew the concept of a Psychedelic Ballroom could be as successful in the Detroit market if not more so ! On returning home to Dearborn Russ moved fast ...
A deal was struck with building owner Gabe Glantz for the lease on a Ballroom at Grand River and Beverly. Russ' parents had danced to swing bands there during the war. A mattress warehouse and roller rink between 1957 and 1966, the Grande Ballroom was once a virtual haven for fox trotters and bobbysoxers.
The formula did not call for spinning records as the primary draw. Gibb next needed to find musicians.
Through his D.J. connections, Russ discovered his counterculture liaison John Sinclair and his friends the MC5. Gibb arranged for the band to play the opening night of his new venture and allowed them the luxury of rehearsing in the space. This was ideal for the MC5 considering the harassment they were receiving from the Detroit police department on the Wayne State campus. Payment for their performances would be deferred.
Another MC5 acquaintance was artist Gary Grimshaw. A Lincoln park native and Rob Tyner cohort, Gary was hired to design the first ever Grande Rock poster.
After and slow but sure start the "happenings" that were promoted at the Grande slowly grew in size and scope.By July of 1967 Russ had started to book national, and eventually, international acts. Some local acts would become legends. International acts considered the Grande an essential tour stop.
Over the next 8 to 10 years Russ would continue to produce ever larger shows at venues of all sizes throughout the Midwest and Canada. None were as influential and culturally significant as the shows he produced at the Grande between 1966 and 1970.
Russ Gibb will be the evening's guest of honor.
Thanks Russ!
