Best chronicled is Motown, which churned out hits from its West Grand Boulevard headquarters under founder Berry Gordy Jr. Detroit also has been a pacesetter in rock, gospel, jazz, blues, soul and techno. Bob Dylan called Robinson America's greatest living poet. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The music magazine Mojo named Franklin the best pop vocalist of the 20th Century. Detroit techno artists Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson are celebrated across North America and Europe for pioneering electronic dance sounds.
Kid Rock comes out of the Detroit tradition of flamboyant rockers.
In contrast to that wackiness, the Motor City is also widely recognized as the nation's capital of gospel music. One of the original influences on Detroit's gospel scene was the Rev. C.L. Franklin of New Bethel Baptist Church. His prize pupil, of course, was daughter Aretha. 1937 Sit-down strikers make Detroit a union town. 1943 Race riot bares ugly underside of Arsenal of Democracy.