Nicey Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 This might be kind of a stupid topic, but I think it's interesting from a historical/cultural perspective I guess. Zep played at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit a coupla times in 1969. I only know of two pics of any of those performances. There's this one from this website: And then supposedly this one... But I could be wrong. Anyway. Somehow or other, I found pics of the Grande Ballroom today. Check it out: http://www.detroitye...ndeBallroom.htm http://en.wikipedia....terior_2010.jpg There's more at this link: http://detroiturbex....nde/grande.html Urban decay is just creepy! It looks like Zep played there a century ago. Anyway. Thought it was interesting, and it's too hot to go outside, so I'm bumming around on the board today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jahfin Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 This might be kind of a stupid topic, but I think it's interesting from a historical/cultural perspective I guess. If you're interested in a sort of "then and now" perspective on old venues Zeppelin played you'll probably enjoy this thread: A Walk Down Memory Lane: The Houses of the Holy; The rise and fall of various concert venues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Melanie Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 That is so sad. I love the design of the room. I wonder why it was allowed to go to rack and ruin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattmc1973 Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 That is so sad. I love the design of the room. I wonder why it was allowed to go to rack and ruin? Because it's in Detroit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikezep61 Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 There are some great shots of Cream and The Who taken at the Grande Ballroom. Check out these links: http://www.backstagegallery.com/artist/Cream.html http://www.backstagegallery.com/artist/Who.html?photographer=ThomasWeschler#m/0/year-desc/ThomasWeschler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planted Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 Because it's in Detroit. Bingo. No jobs leads to...ta-da! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveAJones Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 (edited) That is so sad. I love the design of the room. I wonder why it was allowed to go to rack and ruin? Old buildings require a considerable amount of maintenance, particularly in harsh environments like Detroit. You might be surprised how quickly structures can fall into disrepair, and may enjoy the A&E series Life After People which explores this same topic in depth. Of course, scrappers and vandals also exact a significant toll. Edited July 22, 2011 by SteveAJones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattmc1973 Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 There have been several books dedicated to this subject in Detroit... http://www.amazon.com/RUINS-DETROIT-Yves-Marchand/dp/3869300426 http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Detroit-Stories-Behind-Majestic/dp/1596299401/ref=pd_sim_b_2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Melanie Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Old buildings require a considerable amount of maintenance, particularly in harsh environments like Detroit. You might be surprised how quickly structures can fall into disrepair, and may enjoy the A&E series Life After People which explores this same topic in depth. Of course, scrappers and vandals also exact a significant toll. I know but it does sadden me that cities here in the U.S. don't have available funds for widespread historical preservation. It is easier and cheaper to demolish and rebuild rather than maintain and protect. We need to protect our history so that we can appreciate our future.(Damn, I sound like a politician. ) I have seen one of the episodes of that A&E series. It really is an eye opener how much impact humans have made on this planet and how all of that can be taken away and how much we can be easily forgotten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicey Posted July 22, 2011 Author Share Posted July 22, 2011 If you're interested in a sort of "then and now" perspective on old venues Zeppelin played you'll probably enjoy this thread: A Walk Down Memory Lane: The Houses of the Holy; The rise and fall of various concert venues Thanks for pointing me towards this. I hate creating duplicate threads! I did a search before I made this one and didn't see it. Old buildings require a considerable amount of maintenance, particularly in harsh environments like Detroit. You might be surprised how quickly structures can fall into disrepair, and may enjoy the A&E series Life After People which explores this same topic in depth. Of course, scrappers and vandals also exact a significant toll. I've seen that show, and they seem to go to Detroit quite a bit. It is really interesting how quick nature takes over. I think they said that the Hoover Dam could last 3000 years, though. Or something like that. I can't remember. And they said Mount Rushmore would last into the next "epoch," because it was blasted out of granite. Off-topic! Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jahfin Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Not Zep related as they never played here but the Boathouse in Norfolk, VA is a fine example of a once thriving venue (it was severely damaged by a hurricane several years ago) that has just been left to rot. There's a group of folks in that area who are very interested in bringing it back to life but they're up against some pretty insurmountable odds, namely the $$$$ to pull it off. Meanwhile, it's become an eyesore and is polluting the body of water surrounding it. According to the what I've read, the powers that be in Norfolk are perfectly ok with that and are making no efforts to demolish or salvage it. Sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicey Posted July 25, 2011 Author Share Posted July 25, 2011 Not Zep related as they never played here but the Boathouse in Norfolk, VA is a fine example of a once thriving venue (it was severely damaged by a hurricane several years ago) that has just been left to rot. There's a group of folks in that area who are very interested in bringing it back to life but they're up against some pretty insurmountable odds, namely the $$ to pull it off. Meanwhile, it's become an eyesore and is polluting the body of water surrounding it. According to the what I've read, the powers that be in Norfolk are perfectly ok with that and are making no efforts to demolish or salvage it. Sad. That is sad. I've never seen a concert at a venue on the water. I bet that's neat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jahfin Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 That is sad. I've never seen a concert at a venue on the water. I bet that's neat. Never been a big fan but I saw Phish there in '92. I was working for a radio station at the time so the ticket was free and one of my friends I went with is a big Phish fan so it was worth the journey just to check them out. Probably one of my favorite concerts by the water was a reggae festival on the coast of NC back in the 80s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LedZep342 Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 Here's a straight view faceing the stage: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidZoso Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 January 18,1969- Grande Ballroom, Detroit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 ^ Great picture! Man, you have quite the data base of photographs David! That must have been one LOUD show in that tiny hall! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperDave Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 There are so many venues and other building throughout this country that fall to rotting and decay. It's unfortunate and unless a town, state or whatever has the funds or receives financing from other sources to preserve or restore something, this is the path they go down or get demolished to make room for retail outlets or condos etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jahfin Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 (edited) There are so many venues and other building throughout this country that fall to rotting and decay. It's unfortunate and unless a town, state or whatever has the funds or receives financing from other sources to preserve or restore something, this is the path they go down or get demolished to make room for retail outlets or condos etc. This venue, The Brewery, featured prominently on the cover of the Backsliders' From Raleigh, NC EP (depicted below), where it was recorded, bites the dust on August 1st. It changed hands in 2004 and has since catered to the death metal/thrash crowd so I haven't set foot in there since but it's still a great loss to the Raleigh music scene. The Brewery is closing on Friday, July 29th. Our good friends in Embracing Goodbye will be the last band to play at The Brewery at 3009 Hillsborough St. The closing is due to no fault of The Brewery. A local contractor bought the building, and is tearing it down on August 1st. We were informed of this only yesterday. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to the fans, the bands, and the promoters we have worked with over the years. We love you guys. This site will remain up, as well as the web page at www.brewerync.com. Don't forget about us... We may just be back one day. Tom Taylor The Brewery Edited July 27, 2011 by Jahfin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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