Icons Diana Ross and Eminem bookended a legendary Detroit concert Thursday night against the backdrop of Michigan Central Station, highlighting a night of phenomenal music that ranged from Motown to rap to gospel to techno to rap.
Energy oozed through the crowd of all ages.
Eminem was not listed as a performer in advance, though he was an executive producer for the show, which was enough to draw out fans hoping he would take the stage. The crowd erupted when Bill Ford, Ford Motor Co. executive chair and the driving force behind the depot’s restoration, introduced the famed rapper, who was initially backed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
After Eminem performed his new song “Houdini,” Jelly Roll joined him on the stage. Then legendary Detroit rapper Trick Trick joined Eminem for “Welcome 2 Detroit.” The show concluded with “Not Afraid.” At the end, Eminem shouted, “Detroit, we love you.”
Ross, who spent her teen years in the Brewster-Douglass public housing community in Detroit and went on to become a global superstar, took the stage at Michigan Central Station on Thursday night to open a much-anticipated historic celebration watched from around the world.
Large screens at the stage and in the crowd displayed a countdown: 5-4-3-2-1, the crowd yelled.
Ross wore a spectacular orange gown, with fans erupting with applause and dancing to the legend singing her classic, “I’m Coming Out.” She shared with the audience, many appearing to be in awe of her, “I’m so grateful for all the blessings in my life.”
The concert, produced by Eminem and televised on Peacock with an NBC special ahead, included a long list of talent, including Illa J, Fantasia, Sky Jetta, Theo Parrish and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Stories of Detroit through the depot and musicians
The event celebrated the reopening of Michigan Central, a 1913 Beaux Arts-style building that closed in 1988 and rapidly became a symbol of Detroit’s demise and hopelessness. Ford Motor Co. bought the property in 2018 and brought in craftspeople from around the world to restore the building to its glory.
Highlights included The Clark Sisters praising Jesus as thousands of arms waved rhythmically. Common and Slum Village honored the memory of revered record producer J Dilla, who died at age 32 of a blood disorder and lupus. His mother thanked the crowd for their love and kindness. People in the crowd made peace signs with their hands as she spoke. Big Sean spoke of overcoming bankruptcy and hopelessness to reach the other side. He talked to Detroiters about going through what they’re going through, “making the best with what you’ve got.”
In a tribute to Bob Seger, Melissa Etheridge played a mean the guitar while singing “Mainstreet.” Jelly Roll inspired the crowd to join in singing “Turn the Page” as Etheridge accompanied the new Grammy winner on guitar. By 9:45 p.m., southwest Detroit native Jack White took the stage to launch a high-energy series of songs including “Seven Nation Army” as fans jumped up and down and sang back at him.
White ended his set with an impressive display of pyrotechnics — the stage had the appearance of being truly on fire — to the delight of the crowd.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said Detroiters who live in the city and even those who live in other parts of the state and the country feel something that’s hard to put into words as they witness the resurrection of the once-abandoned 18-story building in Corktown that was once covered in graffiti and crumbling.
“You have to be a longtime Detroiter to understand this, the pain of what was taken away from us — the auto plants moving out, the movie theaters moving out, the restaurants moving out, our neighbors moving out. … All of that is turning around. To see this come back, for a lot of people, it’s a night of deep pride,” Duggan said.
He credited Bill Ford, 67, executive chair of Ford Motor Co., and the great-grandson of founder Henry Ford as the visionary behind the resurrection of the train station at 2001 15th St. in Corktown that carried soldiers off to war and brought the lucky ones home again.
His mother, Martha Firestone Ford, who turns 99 in September, wanted to attend and Bill Ford made sure she did.
