Sounds Of Belle Isle Past And Future, Part One

Music has been an integral part of Belle Isle since its very beginning. Orchestras performed even on the boats going to and from the island. At first, the concerts took place in picturesque, simple structures...

Shortly after the turn of the century, the pagoda-like structure shown below was built over a canal...

This bandshell, in its romantic setting over the canal, was the setting for regular performances by symphony and concert bands. In the 1920's, at the beginning of the golden age of radio, WWJ broadcast Herman Schmeman's Military Band live from Belle Isle. Schmeman was a successful insurance salesman who had started out as a newsboy. He had played initially in the newsboys' band, which was folded into the Light Guard's band. His Military Band became, according to Clarence Burton, "the unofficial municipal band of Detroit". It performed as many as thirteen times a week at parks around the city. Go here (look at top and bottom of page) for a notice of 4th of July performances on Belle Isle.  Another vantage point....

When the Remick Bandshell was built in 1950, it became the summer home of the Detroit Concert Band, led by Leonard Smith. The Detroit Concert Band was known for its stirring renditions of John Phillips Sousa marches in particular, owing to Leonard Smith's mastery of Sousa's music.

The Bandshell was adventurously contemporary in design, with its cantilevered roof and simple lines.

On April 30, 1967, the bandshell was the scene of the Love-In Detroit, featuring the MC5, Billy C. and the Sunshine, and the Seventh Seal. See Gary Grimshaw's posters for the event here. The Outlaws, a motorcycle gang, showed up, and mayhem ensued. 

The view from the stage...

More traditional symphony and band concerts continued at Belle Isle until 1980. Since then, there have been sporadic attempts at reviving the music programming that was so popular for so long. In the summer, jazz bands play near the beach on Sunday evenings. Popular family movies have been shown at the bandshell on Wednesday nights for past two summers, but that's about it. Like many things on Belle Isle, the bandshell is a little lonely and unkempt.

This coming Saturday afternoon the Remick Bandshell is going to regain a little of its faded glory, and rejoin Detroit's vibrant music scene. "Come Hear Belle Isle" is taking place from 1-7 pm, with The Sights, Champions of Breakfast, and The High Strung among other local bands playing.

Tomorrow in Sounds of Belle Isle, Part Two, you'll hear from Amanda Brewington, the creative engine behind this event:

In February of this year I went out to Belle Isle with my family and we went over to the conservatory. We took some great pictures of the island and I shared them with friends. ALL of the friends I shared them with, even those from Metro Detroit had NEVER been to Belle Isle. That was when I decided to have an event that would get people out to Belle Isle and excited about this gem.

 I asked her some questions via e-mail about the event and how it came about, and I'm excited to share her thoughts with you...

There is so much to be preserved and so much opportunity for ideas to become real in this city. 

Stay tuned for the rest of the Q & A.