Travel with Amateur Traveler · Saturday, September 5, 2026
Cassandra Sugarman discusses Detroit's significant musical history, highlighting its role as the birthplace of Motown. She mentions iconic artists like Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye, as well as local figures such as Aretha Franklin, Kid Rock, and Eminem, referencing his movie '8 Mile'.
“In addition to revival, there is also music history associated with Detroit. True. Motown.”
“So you can't really go on without acknowledging Motown and the birth of Motown in Detroit. In the 1960s, Berry Gordy Jr. launched the recording label Motown here in the city of Detroit.”
“It brought to the American people great artists like Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye. And there's also been a lot of other great music names that have gone through the city, Aretha Franklin, Kid Rock, He's not from Detroit of himself, but one of the suburbs. And then also Eminem.”
“If you know that Eminem movie 8 Mile, that is actually on the northern side of Detroit. It is the road that kind of separates the city of Detroit from the suburbs. And so that's what is being referenced in his movie.”
“He also opened up a restaurant in Detroit called Mom's Spaghetti, which is homage to his lyric lose yourself.”