Detroit (band)

Detroit

Industry	Music
Founded	1970
Founder	Mitch Ryder
Defunct	1974
Headquarters	Detroit , United States
Products	Rock music, albums, singles

Detroit—frequently referred to as The Band Detroit to distinguish it from the city—originated as an offshoot of the rock ensemble The Detroit Wheels.

Background

In 1970, Mitch Ryder established a new version of The Detroit Wheels, effectively succeeding the original group. Drummer Johnny "Bee" Badanjek was the sole founding member retained, while the lineup also included guitarists Steve Hunter and Brett Tuggle, organist Harry Phillips, and bassists W.R. Cooke alongside John Sauter.

The band issued a single, self-titled album in 1971 under Paramount Records, which reached number 176 on the US charts in 1972. Their notable cover of Lou Reed’s "Rock & Roll" attracted significant attention, leading Reed to invite Steve Hunter to join his touring band. Due to vocal difficulties, Ryder departed in 1972 and was succeeded by singer Rusty Day, formerly of American Amboy Dukes and Cactus. The group encountered challenges without Ryder and ultimately dissolved in 1974.

Although achieving less commercial success, Rusty Day’s period invigorated Detroit’s rock identity. Under the management of John Sinclair and Pete Andrews, the band embarked on extensive tours promoting Detroit’s rock scene. This phase featured guitarists Steve Gaines (later associated with Crawdad and Lynyrd Skynyrd) and Bill Hodgson (previously with Shadowfax), bassist Ted "T-Mel" Smith (ex-Spinners), Nathaniel Peterson (who later joined Leon Mills's Brat Axis), and drummer Terry Emery (future member of Crawdad and .38 Special). Some recordings from this lineup are still accessible.

Career

With producer Bob Ezrin at the helm, Detroit recorded their rendition of "It Ain't Easy". Coupled with "Long Neck Goose," this track was released as a single in the United States through Paramount (catalog number PAA-0094). The single garnered favorable critiques in Record World and Cash Box, which praised its dynamic debut, compelling instrumentation, and potential for Top 40 chart success.

By mid-1971, Nimbus Nine, the group's production company, was expanding its international presence, with Mitch Ryder and Detroit’s "It Ain't Easy" among its prominent releases. The single also saw a UK release under Paramount PARA 3022.

Subsequently, Detroit issued "Rock 'N' Roll" backed by "Box of Old Roses" on Paramount 0133. In December 1971, Cash Box highlighted "Rock 'N' Roll" as a strong track with appeal for Top 40 FM radio. Their album Detroit entered the Cash Box Top Albums chart at number 150.

The single "Rock 'N' Roll" appeared on the Cash Box Looking Ahead chart at position 24 in December 1971 and progressively rose to number 105 by mid-January 1972. It then debuted on the Cash Box Top 100 at number 97, peaking at number 95 later that month. Additionally, it reached number 107 on the Billboard chart, marking a key commercial achievement for the band.

Later years

In 2005, Detroit reunited featuring original members W. Ron Cooke (Bass/Vocals) and Johnny 'Bee' Badanjek (Drums) to produce a new album under Detroit Artist Workshop Group & Woodshed Productions. They enlisted guitarist Steve Dansby—a seasoned Motor City sideman who had previously collaborated with Cooke and Rusty Day in Cactus—and blues-rock pioneer Michael Katon, who had worked alongside Dansby, Cooke, and Harry Phillips during the 1980s. Recording sessions took place at well-known Detroit studios such as Big Sky, Rock City Studios, and Harmonie Park Studios.

To bridge the musical styles of Mitch Ryder’s era with that of Rusty Day while reflecting later Detroit rock influences, vocalist Tom Ingham (known from Mugzy/Weapons/Plow/Romeo Rock) was brought in. His vocal approach complemented the ensemble’s sound on their independently released 2006 album Dead Man's Hand, which featured guest contributions from Scott Morgan, Johnny Spark, Johnny Arizona, J.B. Sweet, and Chris Codish.

Singles

Releases in the USA

Performer	Title	Catalogue Number	Release Year	Additional Information
Detroit Featuring Mitch Ryder	"I Can't See Nobody" / "The Girl from the North Country"	Paramount PAA-0051	1970
Detroit	"It Ain't Easy" / "Long Neck Goose"	Paramount PAA-0094	1971
Detroit Featuring Mitch Ryder	"Rock 'n Roll" / "Box of Old Roses"	Paramount PAA-0133	1971
Detroit Featuring Mitch Ryder	"Oo La La La Dee Da Doo" / "Gimme Shelter"	Paramount PAA-0158	1972

Detroit featuring Mitch Ryder (1971)

Song List

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

5. "Let It Rock" – (Chuck Berry)
6. "Drink" – (Jimmy Optner, Mark Manko)
7. "Box of Old Roses" – (W. R. Cooke)
8. "I Found a Love" – (Robert West, Willie Schofield, Wilson Pickett)

Band Members

• Mitch Ryder – lead vocals
• Steve Hunter – lead guitar
• Brett Tuggle – guitar
• Harry Phillips – keyboards
• W. R. Cooke – bass guitar, backing vocals; lead vocals on "Box of Old Roses"
• Johnny "Bee" Badanjek – drums, backing vocals; shared lead vocals on "Is It You (Or Is It Me)"
• "Dirty Ed" Okalski – congas and tambourine

Guest Musicians

• Boot Hill – keyboards and harmonica
• John Sauter – bass guitar
• Mark Manko – additional guitar on several tracks

References

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

External links

• Discogs - Detroit (2)