Ever since the debut of the award winning Chrysler 200 commercial featuring Eminem during the Super Bowl, I've been noticing a sudden surge of pride in the people who live, work and play in our great city of Detroit. And why not? Detroit is the hub for innovation, creativity and hard work. No matter what's been thrown our way, we've always persevered. It's what we do and this is who we are.There's a lot of history and heritage that was born here...there's a lot of great things happening here and a lot of great things that we Detroiters can be proud of.
First of all, Detroit is the birthplace of the auto industry. America’s Car Culture roared to life here...right on Woodward Avenue. Ford, Cadillac, Dodge, Chrysler, Packard and several other brands were born and raised here. In fact, as you know, Detroit is known around the world as the "Motor City" - home of the Big Three.
But that's not all Detroit's known for. We're also known around the world as "Motown" and "Detroit Rock City". Just like the automobiles, great music was and is still being produced here. In fact, Detroit competes in its own right as one of the top music capitals of the country, both from its range of artists to its location as a concert stop for national tours.
It's hard to believe sometimes but a lot of your favorite songs are from famous musicians who are from Detroit and here's a sampling of just a few of them:
Eminem, Kid Rock, Madonna, Alice Cooper, The White Stripes, MC5, Iggy Pop/The Stooges, Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, George Clinton/P-Funk, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson, Temptations, Marvin Gaye, John Lee Hooker, Funk Brothers, Four Tops, James Jamerson, Alberta Adams, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Marvelettes, Slum Village, The Knack, Sponge, Aaliyah, Insane Clown Posse, Uncle Kracker, Mitch Ryder, The Romantics, Grand Funk Railroad, Marshall Crenshaw, Juan Atkins, Carl Craig, Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, Royce da 5’9”, Von Bondies, The Dirt Bombs, The Detroit Cobras, Richie Hawkin, Stacey Pullen, Eddie Fowlkes, The Demolition Dollrods, The Gories, Anita Baker, Wilson Pickett, Nolan Strong, Andre Williams, Sippie Wallace, Joe Weaver, Was (Not Was), Hush, Johnnie Bassett...and much much more.
Okay so we make cars and great music in Detroit...but what else you ask? Well, Detroit is also the Sports Capital of the Midwest. In major sports Detroit ranks third behind New York and Boston in championships. That’s quite the feat considering Detroit hasn’t had a competitive football team since the Eisenhower administration. Sold-out games at Ford Field are a testament to the passion of the Detroit fan. The Pistons, Wings and Tigers are a better bet if you want to walk away happy. Detroit has also been a great host to a multitude of national sporting events. In 2005, Comerica Field hosted the MLB All-Star game, and 2006 brought us the World Series. Earlier that same year, Pittsburgh and Seattle battled it out in Super Bowl XL, and more recently Detroit hosted the 2009 NCAA Final Four. Stanley Cup Playoff appearances are almost common-place during spring, as well as unique international events such as the Red Bull Air Race.
While we are proud of our automotive heritage, our music history and our sports, there are lesser-known facts about Detroit...and here are a few examples:
Did you know that...1. In 1909, Wayne County built the first mile of concrete highway in the world on Woodward Avenue between Six and Seven Mile roads.
2. Going on air in August 20, 1920, 8MK, later renamed WWJ, is believed to be the first station to broadcast regular news reports.
3. Detroit is the only city in the 48 contiguous States where one can gaze south toward Canada.
4. Detroit is built over an enormous salt bed. 1,200 feet below the city surface, salt mines spread over 1,400 acres and have more than 50 miles of roads.
5. Detroit is the birthplace of Techno Music.
6. Vernors Ginger Ale was invented by a Detroit Pharmacist by the name of James Vernors.7. Kowalski Sausage Company was founded in Detroit by Zygmund Kowalski
8. Vlasic Picles, the Polish-style cucumber pickle company was born in Detroit.
9. In 1954 Northland Center opens in a Detroit suburb and becomes the Nations first large suburban shopping Mall.
10. Detroit has the largest island park within a city. At 987 acres Belle Isle Park is the largest island park in the United States. First opened to the public in 1884,
As you can see, Detroit is a great city that we can be proud of. There's a lot of history and heritage here. Industries and artists are born here. Going through rough times, it's easy to lose sight of how amazing our city is. It took a car commercial to remind us of how good we really are.
The two minute Super Bowl ad for the Chrysler 200 touched many who watched it on a human level about the struggles that our city of Detroit has been through. Despite these troubles and hard times however, we always had a heart of steel...delicate but at the same time tough and strong. The ad didn't just sell cars, it sold a city. "This is the Motor City....and this is what we do."
Well, that's it for now. Thanks for reading my blog. Please feel free to comment below.
- Ed Dancel is a sales consultant at Southfield Chrysler 248-354-2950
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