(Photo courtesy of Birmingham Historical Museum)
The Birmingham Historical Museum has announced a special exhibit event on November 1, which will showcase artifacts from Detroit’s most infamous rock-n’-roll publication – CREEM Magazine.
Crowned “America’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll Magazine,” the national publication was first introduced in March of 1969, by Barry Kramer and founding editor Tony Reay. Notable contributors included: Susan Whithall (The Detroit News), Lester Bangs (Rolling Stone), Ben Blackwell (Third Man Records) Rob Tyner (MC5), Chuck Eddy, Peter Laughner, Robert Christgau, Charlie Auringer, Richard Meltzer and others.
CREEM originally housed its offices at 3729 Cass Ave., but was relocated to Walled Lake after two years, due to a robbery on the property. Shortly following the move to Walled Lake, the monthly publication hired famed rock writer Lester Bangs after he was fired from rival magazine Rolling Stone for a particularly harsh review of the band Canned Heat. CREEM closed its doors in 1989, but was known for its in-depth coverage of Detroit artists such as: Bob Seger Alice Cooper, The Stooges, MC5, Parliament-Funkadelic and countless other Detroit-native acts.
25 years after CREEM’s final issue, the Birmingham Historical Museum boasts the world’s largest collection of CREEM memorabilia, artifacts and documents. To honor the history of the legendary publication, the museum will host a two-part event titled Get CREEMed! at the Museum.
The event will begin at 12:30 pm at Birmingham’s Baldwin Public Library with a presentation hosted by Susan Whithall, a former CREEM contributor and music critic for The Detroit News, titled ‘CREEM Magazine in Birmingham: Pop Cultural Mayhem, Rock Stars and Lester Bangs.’ Following the presentation, attendees are be invited to attend a CREEM party located at the Birmingham Historical Museum from 2 pm – 4 pm.
Susan Whithall, Charlie Auringer (original CREEM Art Director) and other former CREEM staff members will be available to answer questions and discuss the publication’s history. Tickets are available at regular museum price (Adults; $7, Seniors/Students $5, Kids; Free).