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8 Iconic Detroit Concert Venues That Aren’t Around Anymore

A couple days ago, I posted the question to you guys…Name a great concert you saw at a venue that’s no longer around. Man, we’ve lost some cool places in…

JL

DETROIT – FEBRUARY 8: Joe Louis Arena is shown before the Detroit Red Wings game against the Nashville Predators on February 8, 2006 in Detroit, Michigan. The Red Wings won 6-0. (Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

A couple days ago, I posted the question to you guys...Name a great concert you saw at a venue that's no longer around. Man, we've lost some cool places in the last decade or more. The thing I was really proud of when I moved to the D in 1995, was that none of the venues had a corporate name attached to them. Those days are gone.

Here's eight of them that we've lost. While most were multipurpose, there were many concerts in these famed places.

Joe Louis Arena

The events that took place there are epic. Stanley Cup wins and losses. Concerts, Concerts and more Concerts. The long list of things I did and asw here are numerous.

The Palace Of Auburn Hills

My fondest memory of this place was watching Bob Seger sound check before one of his shows around 2014 maybe. I was sitting by myself in the upper bowl watching, when he said these words "Let's do 'Turn the Page'" I was glued to my seat to see. Really cool!

Cobo Hall

Legendary! Long before I even had a career, or thought that I'd work in radio, I saw an MTV Halloween special with Alice Cooper. It was filmed at Cobo Hall in 1984, if memory serves. I watched it over and over as a wide-eyed kid. Who knew a decade or so later, that I'd move here and make Detroit my hometown.

The Michigan Palace

Admittedly, this is long before me, but some of you mentioned it so I thought I'd include it. A piece of Detroit history I've heard a lot about.

The Pontiac Silverdome

What a venue! I saw U2 there. Of course, the Millenium show with Metallica, Ted Nugent, Kid Rock and Sevendust. What a show that was! I recall going to see the Lions play the Packers around 1998, just so I could say I saw Barry Sanders play live.

Tiger Stadium

Once again, I wasn't there many times. But I did see KISS there in 1996, and that show was a highlight concert for me. Unreal! Here's that show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y939rk45KBM

The Ritz in Roseville

I was there a several times before it became a grocery store. One show I'll never forget is Sponge playing on NYE.

The Michigan State Fairgrounds

I only saw a few shows there, but they were memorable and heavy! That place was indestructible.

MeltdownEditor
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.