The Grande Ballroom opened in 1928 as a dance hall and became famous between 1966 and 1972 as Detroit's premier rock venue under impresario Russ Gibb, hosting almost every important psychedelic and hard-rock act of the era. The MC5 recorded their first album live here in 1968. After closing in 1972 the building was abandoned and is now a ruin — windows out, roof failing, the ballroom floor visible from the street.
Restoration plans surface periodically. For now the building is closed and dangerous; it sits on Grand River Avenue and can be seen from the sidewalk. A pilgrimage stop for fans of the era.