Detroit Tops List Of Ugliest City In America
A great view of downtown Detroit (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
It seems Detroit tops many lists….make that another one – Ugliest City in America.
Yeah, we’ve taken our lumps over the years, for sure. This one just seems like someone is piling on. Who would make such a list anyway? I’m glad you asked. This website called Travel Guide picked the “D” for the top spot in this less-than-appealing category. You can see more about this story here.
The cities were picked by things like pollution, crime, poverty, bad city design, and stuff like that. There’s no mention of some of our great-looking celebs like Tom Selleck, Keegan Michael Key, Dax Shepard, or the pretty Kristen Bell, Tara Lipinski, and others.
Other cities on this list included Fresno, California in the number two spot, followed by Cleveland, Ohio. El Paso, Texas finds itself in the fourth spot, then Honolulu, Hawaii in fifth. I may have to rethink that dream vacation trip to Honolulu. LOL New Haven, Connecticut was sixth with Birmingham, Alabama rounding out the top seven spots.
Yeah, Detroit may not be the most picturesque city in America, but it’s OUR city! It has its problems, but it’s come a very long way in the 28 years since I came to the Motor City. We have a long way to go, and on any trip downtown you can see the improvements. From the District area, to the LCA, Comerica Park, and Ford Field. The Fox Theater is a gem, not only in Detroit but around the world. Some areas are really popping and getting people from the suburbs to the city. It’s nice to take in a game or a concert. We still have a ways to go, but I’m confident that we’re moving in the right direction.
Hopefully, we won’t find ourselves on this list in the future. Now, get down there and enjoy the city….our ugly city that we love.
-Meltdown-
The Weekend Wrap Up With Metallica In Detroit
I know this past weekend was going to crush, but it CRUSHED! Metallica at Ford Field was everything I had hoped for and more.
For me, the surprise of the weekend was how much I really enjoyed Pantera. Just to hear Phil Anselmo’s voice yelling out those classic songs was something I’d forgotten about. Just classic! Zakk and the band nailed it! I guess I shouldn’t be surprised as everyone who has seen them play has told me how good they were.
The biggest rush I got was seeing Metallica take the stage for the first time. It’s no secret I’m a huge fan and even use “The Ecstasy Of Gold” intro when I come on the air every day, so seeing that live never gets old. The stage, the way they took it, the banter after on it after half the crowd had piled out, was all original and all Metallica.
My weekend started by interviewing bassist Robert Trujillo for a two-part conversation. That went very well, as I knew it would. Robert’s a solid guy and an awesome player! I guess I was most intrigued to find out how much Motown music played in his early musical formation. You can go to my page to see both conversations.
It was also cool to spend some time with drummer, Charlie Benante. I’d never really met him before, although I’ve been around him. I found him very nice. He’s somewhat quiet, but a pleasure to hang out with and a legit music fan. He really enjoyed the museum.
A huge Thank You goes out to all the WRIF listeners who stopped by my broadcast Friday night to check in with me. It was non-stop, and I appreciate you guys. Even when I wasn’t “working” at the show on Sunday, I was constantly stopped by you guys to say Hello…Thank You! Also, a shout to my friends from The Struggle Within Michigan. Hit them up, follow their socials, and let’s grow this chapter to one of the biggest in the country!
Pictures from Friday’s show can be found here. Sunday’s show can be found here.
Ok, time to rest……just kidding!
Meltdown started on the mighty WRIF on the evening of Halloween, 1995. Technically, his first on-air shift was the morning of November 1st. Moving to the Motor City from Buffalo, N.Y., he has built a career and family. Over his almost three-decade stint at RIFF, he's had the privilege to work with some of the biggest personalities in Detroit radio history. He boasts of being just the second-afternoon drive jock in the station's illustrious 53-year history.
Along with his love for rock music and attending concerts, he's also an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast and hockey player. He plays year-round and manages to squeeze in a few charity games throughout the year. Meltdown writes about the Detroit Red Wings, rock music, and Detroit concert venues.
