Mark Turner
Rock and roll has gone through so many stages in such a short time. Where performers once toured the country playing at American Legion halls and high school gymnasiums they now play to arenas. When it began you had a touring band and a few spotlights, now we have laser shows, flame throwers and big screen TVs. The one thing that has fallen short though is music. Music was once played by actual performers in the bands you went to see. Those have been replaced with vocal tracks and recorded music. Ah there was a time… Most people have heard about the Fillmore, east AND west, that founder Bill Graham turned into the mecca for rock fans of the sixties. But how many are aware of The Grande Ballroom? LOUDER THAN LOVE tells the story of The Grande Ballroom. Founded in 1966 by teacher and part time DJ Russ Gibb it was inspired by a trip he made to San Francisco to that legendary Fillmore Theater. Inspired he wondered why something like that hadn't been tried in Detroit where he lived. Taking on the task he opened the venue at the perfect time since the Detroit area was blooming with some of the hottest up and coming performers of the time.The movie tells the story using a combination of stills and interviews with a ton of celebrities who played there over the years. All that's missing is actual footage of the locale, missing I'm guessing because none exists. That's quite sad learning its history. Sadder still is to get a glimpse of what the once well know location has become, a shell of itself and now in ruins. Why some historical society has failed to take on this building as a project is a shame. Then again with so little money in the coffers of Detroit that may be why.The venue was noted for being the birthplace of MC5, one of the most influential bands of the time. Their live album was recorded there. As a matter of fact they were one of the house bands as well as The Stooges. Other groups to perform their included Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, The Grateful Dead, Cream, Procol Harum and The Who.A number of those who performed there are included in interviews in this film, a loving tribute to the venue. Included among those are Wayne Kramer, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent, Mark Farner, B.B. King, Henry Rollins, Tom Morello and Lemmy.The Grande Ballroom was a celebration of live music, the shows that were performed by the actual musicians to raving fans of the time. The movie pays tribute to the good times had by all there. In the end it makes you long for the days of live music, when seeing a band meant actually seeing the band, when music was what mattered rather than the spectacle it's become. If you missed out on it give this movie a look and realize what once was and is now sorely missing. While watching you'll find yourself wanting to pull out those old albums to listen to and take the time to KICK OUT THE JAMS!
