Welcome to Michigan's Internet Hall of Fame!
Welcome to the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Website. The site is a totally independent and proudly non-commerical tribute to the artists and songs of Michigan's first vinyl records era.
The voting for both the 2019 MRRL Hall of Fame inductees and Legendary Michigan Songs HOF inductees opened on January 1, 2019 and will close at midnight on June 1, 2019.
Take a video tour of the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame's display at the Bay City Motor Company. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7AN-z2Z45Q&t=4s
Induction certificates are now available for all past and present MRRL Hall of Fame inductees. Contact Dr. J via email for information. 
Check out the list of 2019 Hall of Fame nominees before voting by clicking below: http://www.michiganrockandrolllegends.com/mi-rock-a-roll-hall-of-fame/116-2014-michigan-artists-and-songs-ballot
Check out the nominated recordings for 2019's Legendary Michigan Songs HOF nominees before voting by clicking here: http://www.michiganrockandrolllegends.com/mi-rock-a-roll-hall-of-fame/132-2014-legendary-michigan-songs-nominees
Michigan's Internet Hall of Fame. A total of 103 artists and individuals have been inducted into the MRRL Hall of Fame during the past fourteen years. Read their biographies along with recommended recordings, books, the best Internet sites, and watch youtube videos for each inductee. Click on "MRRL Hall of Fame" to view the Inductees. The 2018 inductees are Bettye LaVette, Dennis Coffey, The Iguanas, Moose & Da Sharks, Ollie McLaughlin, and the Royal Coachmen.
Alina Simone's latest book, 2016's Madonnaland, details MRRL's efforts on behalf of Madonna and ? and The Mysterians. Read the author's thoughts on the Madonna-Bay City controversy: https://lithub.com/why-does-madonnas-hometown-hate-her/
Madonnaland was selected as one of Rolling Stone magazine's Ten Best Music Books of 2016. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/10-best-music-books-of-2016-w456438
Dr. J's Blog. Click here for in-depth articles about Michigan's Rock and Roll history and more! http://www.michiganrockandrolllegends.com/dr-js-blog
"Spin Guys" Video: Gary (Dr. J) Johnson discusses his love of vinyl albums in this short video produced by the Bay City Times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDQfvx6HVyw&feature=youtu.be
Visit Michigan Rock and Roll Legends on Facebook featuring Michigan Rock and Roll events, Voting Upda
tes, Videos, and up-to-the minute Rock and Roll News!
Motown Black & White: The MRRL Internet Hall of Fame is proud to announce that it is now a permanent interactive component of the Al Abrams' collection and exhibit on the Motown music empire. The MRRL kiosk was unveiled at the red carpet event at the Detroit Historical Museum on April 21, 2016.
Watch videos of the 130 outstanding recordings voted into the Legendary Michigan Songs Hall of Fame. "Kick Out The Jams", "Night Moves", "Runaway", "My Girl", "School's Out", "96 Tears", "Respect", "Hanky Panky" and many more! The 2018 Legendary Michigan Songs HOF inductees are: "Get Funky", "Boogie Chillen'", "Give Me Just A Little More Time", "God, Love And Rock & Roll", "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love", "Where Did Our Love Go", "Leroy", "The Twist", "The Happy Organ", and "Fingertips Pt. 2". http://www.michiganrockandrolllegends.com/legendary-michigan-songs-inductees
HARRY BALK
HARRY BALK
Harry Balk was one of the early movers and shakers of the Detroit music scene as a manager, record producer, and label owner. His first important contribution was the discovery of Little Willie John, and, as his manager, guided the young singer through his early R&B recordings, including the # 1 hit "Fever". Balk went on to establish the Twirl, Impact, and Inferno record labels, and he discovered a number of other important artists including Johnny and The Hurricanes, the Shades of Blue, and Sixto Rodriguez. After forming Embee Productions, Balk enjoyed his greatest success as the co-producer of "Runaway" and the other early recordings of Del Shannon. In the late 1960s, he became the head of A&R at Motown Records and was influential in establishing its Rare Earth subsidiary label.
Band Canyon Pt. 2: The Byrds
The most important historical performance at Band Canyon occurred less than three weeks after the teen nightclub opened in July of 1965. During the previous month, The Byrds' "Mr. Tambourine Man" single gave birth to the folk-rock genre and had the distinction of topping the charts in both the United States and England. It also had the effect of vaulting the young California-based group into the rarefied position of being referred to as "America's answer to the Beatles". The band's appearance in Bay City was part of their first national tour, a 26-day series of gigs in mostly Midwestern states including Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio. The Byrds arrival at Band Canyon on July 22nd was noteworthy as well because it was the band's first and only show in Michigan on their inaugural tour.
Band Canyon Pt. 1: The Beginning
By late August of 1964, it was apparent to some area businessmen that there was money to be made catering to the teenage rock and roll scene. The onset of Beatlemania, and the subsequent British Invasion bands that followed, had inspired the formation of young bands all across the state. The impact of this was clearly shown during the summer months of 1964 at the Battle of the Bands competitions held at the Roll-Air outdoor skating rink on State Park Drive in Bay City.