
A great view of downtown Detroit (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesIt 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!
Ok, time to rest......just kidding!

Pantera drummer, Charlie Benante, and my friend Tim took in the Motown Museum earlier in the week.

I was lucky enough to get a two part interview with Robert Trujillo before the weekend's shows.

The Metallica Pop-Up store was crankin' all weekend.

Jade took a walk down the Pop-Up store on Thursday.

There was something for every Metallica fan at the Pop-Up store, including beach balls....more on that later.

More from the Pop-Up Metallica store.

One last picture from the Pop-Up store.

The Struggle Within Michigan fan club held a party to raise money at Thomas Magee's in Eastern Market. They raised over $1,400 for the AWMH Metallica Scholars Initiative.

I was honored to help the fan club give out prizes at Thomas Magee's.

Great to make a new friend in Eric Olson, the owner of Thomas Magee's. I cannot recommend the Smoked Blackened Old Fashions enough!

Struggle Within Michigan Metallica Fan Club founding member, Kurt Schwarz and me.

The calm before the Metallica storm. This picture was taken around 2:30 Friday afternoon.

Wolfgang Van Halen of Mammoth WVH takes the stage at Ford Field in Detroit on November 10, 2023.
Wolfgang Van Halen

Wolfgang Van Halen of Mammoth WVH shreds during a performance at Ford Field in Detroit on November 10, 2023.
Pantera Ford Field

Phil Anselmo of Pantera rocks the house during a performance at Ford Field in Detroit on November 10, 2023. Were you there? Pantera was awesome!
Pantera Ford Field

Zakk Wylde of Pantera points to the sky during a solo at Ford Field in Detroit on November 10, 2023. Pantera got the crowd ready for Metallica!

On platform #1 getting ready for Metallica.

James Hetfield ready to take the stage for show #1 Friday night at Ford Field.

James Hetfield of Metallica performs at Ford Field in Detroit on November 10, 2023.

Lars Ulrich of Metallica hops to another drum kit on the M72 World Tour stage, performing at Ford Field in Detroit on November 10, 2023.

Always a great day when you get to hang with Blackened master mixer/distiller Rob Dietrich.

Saturday found fans lined up to meet Metallica singer James Hetfield and get a copy of his book signed.

James signing copies of his book at Third Man Records on the Saturday between show dates.

Kurt from Struggle Within Michigan Metallica Fan Club getting his book signed by James.

....mission accomplished!

Blacked held a bottle signing on Saturday with Rob Dietrich and Kaveh Zamanian.

The Black Box lounge for Metallica fans.

How cool is this? A WRIF sticker was spotted in the Black Box Lounge for the fans.

GREAT to see my friend David Ellefson at the shows this weekend. Sunday was his 59th birthday!

Ice Nine Kills referenced multiple classic horror films during their performance at Ford Field in Detroit on November 12, 2023.

Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills holds up a decapitated head during a performance at Ford Field in Detroit on November 12, 2023.

Ivan Moody of Five Finger Death Punch perches on top of a monitor during a performance at Ford Field in Detroit on November 12, 2023.

Zoltan Bathory of Five Finger Death Punch points to an audience member during a performance at Ford Field in Detroit on November 12, 2023.

From platform #1 at Metallica. Those beach balls were a hot commodity.

A picture as Metallica takes the stage at Ford Field.

James Hetfield during show #2, killing it!

James Hetfield, Robert Trujillo and Lars Ulrich huddle together during a performance at Ford Field on November 12, 2023.

Metallica's Kirk Hammett melts faces with a guitar solo at Ford Field in Detroit on November 12, 2023.

Metallica taking their final bows at Ford Field.

What A Weekend!

That's it, a GREAT weekend with Metallica in the books! Barry approves!