Rob Tyner's Best Friend. Lester Bang's confidante. One of Townes VanZandt's favorite songwriters. Motown's Bob Babbitt played for him. The one and only Gil Clark has breached the Michigan Music enigma, as a folk musician, rock and blues bassist, first call vocalist, record store owner, and friend to rebel-rousing stars. From the late '70s to now, Clark has immersed himself as a musician and Michigan music touchstone for all of his adult life. His stories are unmatched and his music is still being sought after. Now he wants to share his story.

Here in part 1 of 2, Clark takes us to Tyner's house, gigs a the Old Miami with Tyner and Rodriguez, guitar lessons from Mike Skill of the Romantics, hangs with Dennis 'Machine Gun' Thompson, Cub Koda inspiration, tours with Destroy All Monsters/Niagara and Ron Asheton, Rockets love, and tours with Michael Katon. That's just the tip of the iceberg here. Did we mention he is in the Jim DeRogatis book, Let It Blurt: The Life and Times of Lester Bangs? Do yourself a favor and hit play, NOW!

The Michigan Music History Podcast is taking note! We have not been the only ones thriving in Michigan Music and mitten state documentation. When it comes to "preserving the Michigan stories," add these to your favorites:

Time Signatures--a blues podcast hosted by J Ervin Bates

https://www.lcc.edu/connect/shows/time-signatures.html

Total Michigan--a complete state wide storyline by Cliff Duvernois

https://totalmichigan.com

The MMHP Crew were grateful for both Cliff and J to hop over to our show to discuss digging into Michigan, blues music, country music, and more. Dr. J has been featured on Total Michigan and Sir Fred has been featured on Time Signatures. Links to both will follow. In this episode, they go deep on ideas, how to get the word out, spaces, styles, and always pushing forward with music in mind. Hit PLAY now!

Sir Fred on Time Signatures

Dr. J on Total Michigan--Michigan Rock Legends Hall of Fame!

Benny Speer (#Mr. Benny & The Jets) knows a little bit about Michigan rock history. His father booked shows in Detroit, bringing in the first New York Dolls, Blue Oyster Cult and Kiss concerts, exposing and formulating the Motor City music scene to what we all know today. Benny played the clubs, halls, theaters, from Michigan through Canada, as a regional singer/guitarist. When his band Benny & The Jets hit the stage, it became a thing of beauty. The vehicles they arrived in were the bulletin boards and provided another layer of exposure.

With all his back knowledge of not only the scene, but how it was formulated, Benny is one of Michigan's foremost musicologists of rock, particularly on how the history of it all came together. Here in part 2, Benny dives into backing other artists such as Freddie 'Boom Boom' Cannon and Bo Diddley, he discusses stolen equipment and getting featured in the Detroit News, he crosses paths with Madonna, Question Mark, Eddie Money AND Ronnie Spector and so much more. He also performs live on the podcast! You can't miss this one, hot on the heels of part 1...don't forget to check out his Facebook feed! facebook.com/benny.jets.detroit

and his Dumb Girls Video:

https://youtu.be/jq7dLhUzLpA?si=gwm1UM1LpCSHl5CF