Detroit (band)

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Detroit (a.k.a. The Band Detroit, so as not to be confused with the city of

LP issued on Paramount Records (US #176 in 1972). They had a hit with their version of the Lou Reed - penned song "Rock & Roll", which Reed liked enough to ask Steve Hunter to join his backing band. Ryder quit the group because of voice problems in 1972, and Detroit vocalist Rusty Day (formerly of the American Amboy Dukes and Cactus
) took over his spot; without Ryder, the group floundered, and eventually broke up in 1974.

While not as commercially successful, Rusty Day's era of Detroit was a powerhouse to be reckoned with. He used to sing for

.38 Special
). Some recordings exist out there of this era.

In 2005, Detroit re-emerged once again. original members W. Ron Cooke (Bass/Vocals) and Johnny 'Bee' Badanjek (Drums), got together to record a new album for Detroit Artist Workshop Group & Woodshed Productions. The duo brought in Steve Dansby (Guitar), a noted guitar sideman in the Motor City scene, having also played with Ron Cooke & Rusty Day in Day's 2nd incarnation of 'Cactus', as well as other side projects. As well as Micheal Katon, a noted Blues-Rock Pioneer, who had played with Dansby, Ron Cooke and Harry Philips in another band w Scott Morgan in the 1980s. This union began pounding out material in some of Detroit area's best Studios; Big Sky w Geoff Micheals, Rock City Studios w Pete Bankert (Destroy All Monsters), and Harmonie Park Studios w Brian & Mark Pastoria (Adrenalin/DC Drive).

In an effort to bridge the gap between the eras of Mitch Ryder & Rusty Day, as well as stay in tune with the later sounds of Detroit Rock & Roll; they enlisted the Vocals of Tom Ingham (Mugzy/Weapons/Plow/Romeo Rock & More). Tom's take on the Detroit sound filled out well with the rest of the band. The album, called Dead Man's Hand was released in 2006, and is still available. This independent release included special appearances by Scott Morgan, Johnny Spark, Johnny Arizona, J.B. Sweet and Chris Codish.

Albums

Detroit (1971)

Track Listing

Side One

  1. "Long Neck Goose" - (Bob Ezrin, Mitch Ryder)
  2. "Is It You (Or Is It Me)" - (Johnny Badanjek, Mitch Ryder)
  3. "
    It Ain't Easy
    " - (Ron Davies)
  4. "Rock & Roll" - (Lou Reed)

Side Two

  1. "Let It Rock" - (Chuck Berry)
  2. "Drink" - (Jimmy Optner, Mark Manko)
  3. "Box of Old Roses" - (W. R. Cooke)
  4. "I Found a Love" - (Robert West, Willie Schofield, Wilson Pickett)
Personnel
  • Mitch Ryder - lead vocals
  • Steve Hunter - lead guitar
  • Brett Tuggle - guitar
  • Harry Phillips - keyboards
  • W. R. Cooke - bass, backing vocals; lead vocals on "Box of Old Roses"
  • Johnny Badanjek - drums, backing vocals; co-lead vocals on "Is It You (Or Is It Me)"
  • "Dirty Ed" Okalski - congas, tambourine
Additional Musicians
  • Boot Hill - keyboards, harmonica
  • John Sauter - bass
  • Mark Manko - second guitar on "Long Neck Goose", "It Ain't Easy", "Let It Rock" and "I Found A Love"

Singles

Paramount USA PAA-0051 1970 A: "The Girl from the North Country" B: "I Can't See Nobody"

Paramount USA PAA-0133 1971 A: "Rock 'n Roll" B: "Box of Old Roses"

Paramount USA PAA-0158 1972 A: "Oo La La La Dee Da Doo" B: "Gimme Shelter"

References

  • Detroit at Allmusic.com
  • W.R. Cooke/Johnny Badanjek, Rusty Day. Micheal Valentino
  • Detroit Artist Workshop Group
  • www.detroitrocknroll.com