27 years ago in Metro Times: A cover story finds MT writers gearing up for Tiger baseball 1983. Michael Betzold hazards a prediction: "Under manager Sparky Anderson, the Tigers have been a perfect mathematical regression leading inexorably to the pinnacle of mediocrity, .500 ball, which they will reach at their current pace in 1984 — the last year of Sparky's contract." The story's headline? "Another spring and another set of fearless predictions." What was happening: Richard "Groove" Holmes & His Trio at Baker's Keyboard Lounge and Aretha Franklin at Joe Louis Arena.
13 years ago in Metro Times: Lisa Martino writes, "Let's face it. The climate for historical buildings in Detroit has not been very promising. They get about as much respect as a Beta videocassette on a shelf full of laser discs." She goes on to profile the pending structural additions to the historic Cornice & Slate building, home to Metro Times since 1994, but built in 1897. The building, recently featured in Model D's "Look Up: Top 10 Downtown Buildings," had its facade retouched just last year and looks better than ever. What was happening: De La Soul at St. Andrew's Hall, Vic Chesnutt at the 7th House, and Liza Minnelli at the Fox Theatre.
7 years ago in Metro Times: Brian Smith and Chris Handyside document their weekend of debauchery at South by Southwest. A "much-ballyhooed 'Detroit' booth" shows that Detroit's music scene can grab as far as the hip Texas town. Smith and Handyside dish on the Fags, the Electric Six, John Sinclair, Sponge and Supergrass, among others. 2010's SXSW features more than 30 Detroit-area groups, including Death, Mayer Hawthorne, Human Eye and the remaining members of Slum Village. What was happening: Quiet Riot at Harpo's, and Techno: Detroit's Gift to The World, an exhibit showcasing Detroit's development of electronic music, at the Detroit Historical Museum.
