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John Lee Hooker (second from right) on the stage of the Apex Bar in Detroit, after switching to electric guitar, circa 1950. (Courtesy: Howard DeWitt.) Hank Ballard came off the Detroit assembly line to join the Royals, who soon became R & B stars as the Midnighters. It was Ballard who wrote “The Twist,” made famous by Chubby Checker. Top, left to right: Charles Sutton, Sonny Woods, Lawson Smith. Bottom left, Arthur Porter and right, Hank Ballard. (Courtesy: Marv Goldberg.) The “Frantic One,” Ernie Durham, arrived at WJLB in 1955 and became Detroit’s bestknown and best-loved R & B disc jockey. (Author’s collection.) The Diablos featuring Nolan Strong in 1954. The group recorded for Detroit’s Fortune Records. Left to right: Juan Guiterriez, Willie Hunter, Quentin Eubanks, Nolan Strong, and Bob “Chico” Edwards. (Author's collection.) One of Detroit’s pioneer R & B groups, the Imperials, in 1954. Left to right: Robert Adams, Ben Knight, Lee Goodwin, and Milton Harris. (Courtesy: Marv Goldberg.) The Serenaders evolved into the Royal Jokers. Their most popular comedy dance routine involved throwing an imaginary bug on each other and doing a wild dance to shake it off. Left to right: Willie Jones, Norman Thrasher, Ted Green, Theron “T-Man” Hill, and Noah Howell. (Courtesy: Marv Goldberg.) Pop deejays and friendly rivals Robin Seymour of WKMH and Ed McKenzie of WXYZ in 1953, deciding what selections to make on the new Wurlitzer 1500 automatic play jukebox. (Courtesy: Carol McKenzie.) Ed McKenzie ushers in the rock ’n’ roll era in Detroit with Bill Haley and the Comets. The photo was taken on the set of Ed’s popular Saturday Party TV show, broadcast on WXYZTV , channel 7, in 1955. Haley was born in the Detroit enclave of Highland Park. (Courtesy: Carol McKenzie.) Bill Haley and the Comets in action on another broadcast of Ed McKenzie’s Saturday Party in 1956. (Courtesy: Carol McKenzie.) Bud Davies at the CKLW mike in 1954. The popular radio deejay soon brought early rock ’n’ roll to television on his Top Ten Dance Party, aired each afternoon on channel 9. (Author's collection.) Popular Detroit vocalist Bunny Paul at a 1955 recording session. In 1963, she became the first white female artist to record for Motown. (Courtesy: Bunny Paul.) A rare early photo of Jackie Wilson (second from right) making a hometown TV appearance during his time as a member of Billy Ward’s Dominos in 1955. (Courtesy: Carol McKenzie.) Promotional photo for Jack Scott’s appearance at Mickey Shorr’s “Rock ’n’ Rollorama Easter Edition,” 1957. Scott became the first white rock star to be identified with Detroit. (Courtesy: May Shorr.) Kingpin deejay Mickey Shorr of WXYZ, signing autographs outside of the Michigan Theater in downtown Detroit at his “Record Stars of ’57” stage show. (Courtesy: May Shorr.) Besides their own recordings, the Royaltones played on many Detroit sessions for other artists. Despite a number of personnel changes, sax player George Katsakis was a constant. This 1959 lineup includes (left to right) Karl Kay (Kamenski), twins Greg and Mike Popoff, and George Katsakis. (Courtesy: George Katsakis.) Legendary rock deejay Tom Clay of WJBK just before climbing to the top of a three-story-high sign to broadcast his show in the summer of 1958. (Author’s collection.) The Thunder Rocks were one of the most popular Detroit bands of the late fifties and early sixties. Pictured in 1960 are (back row, left to right) Bruce Penner, Jerry Kowalski, and Jerry Polleky; (front, left to right) Pat LaRose, Tom Pozniak, and Larry Skover. (Courtesy: Bill Hennes.) The Larados, a popular vocal group with an R & B doo-wop sound, performing at a high school record hop in 1957. Left to right: Ron Morris, Tommy Hust, Bob Broadrick, Bernie Turnbull, and Don Davenport. (Courtesy: Gary Banovetz.) Michigan rock star Del Shannon of “Runaway” fame. (Courtesy: Brian C. Young.) Detroit club and record act Jamie Coe and the Gigolos posing in the Rose Bar in 1960. Top, left to right: the club's singing bartender George (“Heigh Ho Silver”) Elikis; Dave Kovarik, saxophone; Dennis Kovarik, bass. Bottom, left to right: Lynn Bruce, drums; Jack Rainwater, guitar; Jamie Coe, vocals. (Courtesy: Lynn Bruce.) The Sunliners were one of Detroit’s top club bands. In New York they appeared at the Peppermint Lounge. By the late sixties the band evolved into Rare Earth. Left to right: Fred Saxon, John Parrish, Gil Bridges, Russ Terrana, and Ralph Terrana. Drummer Pete Rivera was the group’s lead singer. (Courtesy: Russ Terrana...

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