‘Creem’ magazine founder’s ’70s-style rock ’n’ roll party house is on the market

A one-of-a-kind house built by Creem magazine founder Barry Kramer is now on the market.

Located on nearly nine acres of property in Dryden, Mich. in Lapeer County, the three-bedroom, four-bathroom, 2,300 sq. ft square-foot house was built by Kramer in 1970 shortly after founded his rock ’n’ roll magazine. According to its Zillow listing, the property “has hosted all the Detroit music legends from the ’70s and ’80s.” It features lovely era touches such as a lounge with burnt orange shag carpet walls, a circular fireplace, a bar, and a loft. It also includes a barn. Check out more photos of the listing here.

The asking price is $253,000. According to the listing, the mechanicals were updated in 2012. 

“The funny thing about the house is from the outside, you would never know,” says current owner Angela Kolar, who bought the house in 2011. “We actually put a bid on the house without seeing the inside because we just loved the property. Then we walked in and got, like, the surprise of a lifetime as we walked into this 1970s like, shag-wall lounge. It ended up being a really cool buy.”


Kolar says soon after they bought the house, she started learning about its history. (Rumor has it Ted Nugent got his Jeep stuck in a pond during a party.) She says the home's history makes it great conversation piece.

“You kind of forget about it, too,” she says. “You know, it’s your house, you live there, and then somebody comes over for the first time and they stop in their tracks and you're like, ‘Oh yeah, OK, that's right. Let me tell you about the house.’”
Kolar says she's hoping to find a buyer who will respect and preserve the house’s history. You can learn more about the house at its listing, where more photos are available.

Kramer died from nitrous oxide overdose in 1981. A documentary entitled Boy Howdy! The Story of Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine is currently in production.