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Rich Tupica cut his teeth on all styles of Michigan music. When his heart headed into journalism, Rich took courses in Mid-Michigan at Delta College, eventually landing at the Lansing City Pulse. Becoming a music archeologist, heading into old headlines at the library, backed with Microfiche browsing, Tupica began collecting. Eventually writing the most detailed Big Star biography on the late Chris Bell, Tupica wasted no time getting into other projects and became a go-to person for background information on Michigan rock.    From producing the Nolan Strong and the Diablos tribute album 'Daddy Rockin' Strong' and side jobs as a PR agent to former other 'big' stars, Tupica is in a class of his own. Now living in California, his Bob Seger collection and detailed memories of Michigan music history is unlike anyone else's. We were grateful to have him stop at his old stomping grounds in the Tri-Cities on a trip home to visit from California in fall of 2025. This Part 1 of 2 will take you, the listener, into a deep dive on Michigan Music History. And it doesn't hurt if you are a Big Star fan as well...tune in NOW!

Don Hessell makes a return visit to the MMHP to give a rundown on all the music, shows & movies that are making noise in Bay City for the big 20th Anniversary weekend Sept. 24-27. If These Walls Could Rock, Marblehead Morning and Peeping Todd are some of  his standout movies. Another movie kicking off the fest Thursday night will be Crystal Cross--director and bandleader Richie Follin will meet with a q&a AS WELL AS perform at Old City Hall right after with his band Guards.     Friday nights energy set will be at the Masonic Temple, courtesy of the band Megasound!    Saturday's lineup at the Jefferson Building that has hosted the Saturday night music going on three years now. Dogface, Snorkeler, and Ducks LTD. are the 2026 features. As Don suggests, "Propulsion Jangle pop!," will be heard!    Tune in to hear all about the choices, films and the party that Hells Half Mile delivers to Michigan, straight out of Bay City for a massive 20th Anniversary Celebration! Thank you Don for the update! See you there...

The Backstage Explorer and The Audition Room are two shows on 90.1 WUCX FM (Delta College) in which the voice and show producer Rod Bieber can be heard from. An orchestra musician by trade, his violin can still be heard at Michigan shows as they have in the past with such artists as Smokey Robinson, Anne Murray, Doc Severinsen, Donny Osmond, John Denver, Dick Wagner and Mannheim Steamroller--to just name drop a few acts that have called upon his services.    Bieber usually is the one to interview others, but has had the tables turned on him this time and has told his music history to us here at the MMHP. He has given so much to the Michigan Music scene, it was high time he tell his story. The SSO, the FSO, and the small Bay City Bijou Orchestra are mere stops along his fiddling past. This one goes deep! Tune in NOW...

Telling us that "Iggy Pop said in his book that I was 'responsible for Dave's demise,' after the legendary Goose Lake Music Fest." Esther Korinsky Woodward puts those rumors to rest and gives up all the history on the formation of the Stooges and being close with both Lester Bangs and going to high school with Jaan Uhelszki of Creem magazine. As she navigates an upcoming book about the start of the Stooges and a relationship with bassist Dave Alexander and eventually being with guitarist/bassist Scott Asheton, Esther found her way to recovery, while realizing she saw an apex of Michigan Music History. And was part of it all!    Esther pieces together a graphic historical perspective of seeing the Stooges formation while befriending and sharing drugs with Lester Bangs. Esther eventually cleaned up and found her way to share the stories that she experienced at the start of the critical Michigan formation of the band that launched Iggy Pop and started an entire scene in itself. As well as being at the start of the magazine Creem, as Lester Bangs launched into the world. Her photos have been sought after and she keeps them for her eventual book. While unfortunately she ended up on the Creem Documentary cutting room floor during the taping, she is in two other documentaries, Ticket To Ride as well as Louder Than Love, two movies based on Detroit and Creem Magazine.    Esther enjoys sharing her story and hopes to give hope to others that think they can't get past their addictions. "They hear me and think, 'she should be dead!' This story is straight from the rock and roll parts of the 'D', TURN IT UP!

James Bradley brought dance, funky soul, gospel,l rock, opera and classical music from Bay City, across the country and landed in New York City. His voice put him on the map, bringing together music along with Valerie Simpson, Dan Hill, Tommy James, Spinners, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Motown--from Mid Michigan to Toronto, back around the country landing him in New York. All with the golden voice that can do it all.    'My goal in life was to get an education and play music!' He did that at the highest level, with two degrees from U of M, a Wayne State Masters, time at CMU, and two degrees in New York where he has taught math (among other things) where he is now retired. Utilizing his voice, Bradley came up around the time of Question Mark and the Mysterians, Dick Wagner, and many others heading into the '70s. 'Keep your door open and have more opportunity.' Bradley continues to play clubs and is looking to tour Europe (again) soon. Pure Michigan--turn this up!

He is the first class ticket on guitar that has rose from the Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, through Buddy Miles Express, into Cactus, The Rockets, Helldrivers, and eventually Mystery Train--a lesson in rock and blues that only he can teach. Jim McCarty gives the MMHP an exclusive interview at his home where he laid to rest some rumors, and discussed the magic he has threaded the world with as one of the finest guitarists in Michigan.    We were thrilled to get this limited engagement meeting with Jim, whom wakes up at night and begins his day then. Jim continues to play, now over the age of 80, and remains Detroit's most well known, best kept secret. Welcome to Season 7 with us here in the MMHP in the 989 and CRANK THIS UP!

As we wrap up SEASON 6, we have Part 2 of 2 with Matthew Smith who writes and records more music than most people can take a breath of in a day. Between The Volebeats, Outrageous Cherry, and his solo work, Smith has outlined a career in indy sonics, world class craft, and master musicianship. He has worked with everyone under the Michigan sun, and then some. Rodriguez, Alice Cooper, Don Was, and so many more, you have to tune into hear it all.    We captured Smith live at Trinosophes, a predominantly avant garde coffee/vegan friendly sandwich cafe, art, free jazz (and then some), next door to Peoples Records in Detroit. Here in Part 2 of 2, Smith dives into The Volebeats records with Dr. J, Don Was, Ben Harper, his history with Rodriguez and Andre Williams, Rob Tyner, staying healthy, The Go/Jack White, His Name Is Alive, and even a Ryan Adams bit. We wrap up a post on the show with a bit about the loss of Ozzy Osbourne, who passed that day. MORE incredible stories and song cycles--even some acoustic tunes--Turn it UP!

Matthew Smith brought a song to start the show with the MMHP. Nobody has done this yet. A new, as of yet unrecorded track, voice and piano. Smith writes and records more music than most people can take a breath of in a day. Between The Volebeats, Outrageous Cherry, and his solo work, Smith has outlined a career in indy sonics, world class craft, and master musicianship. He has worked with everyone under the Michigan sun, and then some. Rodriguez, Alice Cooper, Don Was, and so many more, you have to tune into hear it all.    We captured Smith live at Trinosophes, a predominantly avant garde coffee/vegan friendly sandwich cafe, art, free jazz (and then some), next door to Peoples Records in Detroit. Smith invited us (along with and much thanks to owner Joel Peterson) to sit down for a lengthy discussion, performance, and intimate career retrospective of his many musical facets. Get to know Matthew Smith--you already have heard him! Part one NOW...

It's not very often you get to hear from the Chairman of the Board himself, but when it happens, you tape it! Martin 'Tino' Gross brought the MMHP into his studio for a historical rundown from behind the recording desk, behind the drum set, behind the mic and guitars, and from behind the television show 'Tales From The D' where Tino just won Two Michigan Emmy Awards for his historical Detroit PBS television show that debut last year.     Tino has been the person that backed John Lee Hooker, recorded Wayne Kramer, remixed R.L. Burnside, helped Eddie Harsch join the Black Crowes, and fronted the Howling Diablos. His resume is longer than the town itself. For this podcast, Dr. J, Scott and Mr. Mike were lucky to be invited into the home studio where we caught a glimpse of Tino with his family in celebration mode. He was just gearing up for his first episode with Johnny Bee, and Tino was on fire giving us Detroit musical history direct from the sources. You can't miss this episode...Crank it up NOW!

Going back to the mid-'60s, who would have thought that Allen Park had a music scene that would flesh out one of the finest groups to hit the charts in the Michigan music scene? Rick Stevers is a founding member of the mighty Frijid Pink, who continues to tell the story from behind the drum kit. Stevers is also a member of the Michigan Rock Legends Hall of Fame and the Pink's cover of 'House Of The Rising Sun' continues to be a household staple.    Here in part 2 of 2, from the pink bathrooms of the era, to the big stages playing with a 'who's who' of other '60s bands such as The Guess Who, studio time with Janis Joplin, and meeting the other 'House of The Rising Sun' band, Eric Burden & The Animals.    Being ahead of the curve, Frijid Pink spent more time on the road than many of their contemporaries, which Rick says that did more harm than good when it came to the Michigan fan base. Partying with Sammy Davis Jr., working with Don Brewer, speaking with Gordon Lightfoot, and being a car worker at Chrysler for over 17 years. All the albums, lineup changes and lost power to his father, never stopped Stevers. You have to dig into this episode, NOW!

Going back to the mid-'60s, who would have thought that Allen Park had a music scene that would flesh out one of the finest groups to hit the charts in the Michigan music scene? Rick Stevers is a founding member of the mighty Frijid Pink, who continues to tell the story from behind the drum kit. Stevers is also a member of the Michigan Rock Legends Hall of Fame and the Pink's cover of 'House Of The Rising Sun' continues to rival the Animals in airplay and popularity.    From the pink bathrooms of the era, to the big stages playing with a 'who's who' of other '60s bands (check this Steppenwolf story!), Frijid Pink spent more time on the road than many of their contemporaries, giving them success further away from the state. They had Beatles-style popularity in Australia! London Records/Parrot Records (Deram overseas) promoted the music of the band. Stevers tells the tales of being a cover band that wanted to perform their own material. He spent years with a major label that wanted them to bow to the system (even shelfing a record to this day). Stevers continues to perform with his version of Frijid Pink to this day and has many albums out under their name. Dive into part 1 NOW!

Rob Tyner's Best Friend. Lester Bang's confidante. One of Townes VanZandt's favorite songwriters. Motown's Bob Babbitt played for him. The one and only Gil Clark has breached the Michigan Music enigma, as a folk musician, rock and blues bassist, first call vocalist, record store owner, and friend to rebel-rousing stars. From the late '70s to now, Clark has immersed himself as a musician and Michigan music touchstone for all of his adult life. His stories are unmatched and his music is still being sought after. Now he wants to share his story.     Here in part 2 of 2, Clark puts us in the hidden ally with VanZandt as he troubadour gives Clark kudos on his album, playing with Mike Gentry in Shining Farmer, takes us back to his Discs and Tapes store where SRC (and MORE) used to hang out, talks about Don Brewer's prowess and the greatness of Grand Funk, recalls being on tour overseas with Michael Katon, and so many little tidbits--a great Punch Andrews/Seger insight, backstage with Buddy Miles...the stream of Michigan Music is endless with Clark. Put a bow on this fabulous session and hit PLAY NOW!

Rob Tyner's Best Friend. Lester Bang's confidante. One of Townes VanZandt's favorite songwriters. Motown's Bob Babbitt played for him. The one and only Gil Clark has breached the Michigan Music enigma, as a folk musician, rock and blues bassist, first call vocalist, record store owner, and friend to rebel-rousing stars. From the late '70s to now, Clark has immersed himself as a musician and Michigan music touchstone for all of his adult life. His stories are unmatched and his music is still being sought after. Now he wants to share his story.     Here in part 1 of 2, Clark takes us to Tyner's house, gigs a the Old Miami with Tyner and Rodriguez, guitar lessons from Mike Skill of the Romantics, hangs with Dennis 'Machine Gun' Thompson, Cub Koda inspiration, tours with Destroy All Monsters/Niagara and Ron Asheton, Rockets love, and tours with Michael Katon. That's just the tip of the iceberg here. Did we mention he is in the Jim DeRogatis book, Let It Blurt: The Life and Times of Lester Bangs? Do yourself a favor and hit play, NOW!

The Michigan Music History Podcast is taking note! We have not been the only ones thriving in Michigan Music and mitten state documentation. When it comes to "preserving the Michigan stories," add these to your favorites: Time Signatures--a blues podcast hosted by J Ervin Bates https://www.lcc.edu/connect/shows/time-signatures.html Total Michigan--a complete state wide storyline by Cliff Duvernois https://totalmichigan.com    The MMHP Crew were grateful for both Cliff and J to hop over to our show to discuss digging into Michigan, blues music, country music, and more. Dr. J has been featured on Total Michigan and Sir Fred has been featured on Time Signatures. Links to both will follow. In this episode, they go deep on ideas, how to get the word out, spaces, styles, and always pushing forward with music in mind. Hit PLAY now! Sir Fred on Time Signatures Dr. J on Total Michigan--Michigan Rock Legends Hall of Fame!

Benny Speer (#Mr. Benny & The Jets) knows a little bit about Michigan rock history. His father booked shows in Detroit, bringing in the first New York Dolls, Blue Oyster Cult and Kiss concerts, exposing and formulating the Motor City music scene to what we all know today. Benny played the clubs, halls, theaters, from Michigan through Canada, as a regional singer/guitarist. When his band Benny & The Jets hit the stage, it became a thing of beauty. The vehicles they arrived in were the bulletin boards and provided another layer of exposure.    With all his back knowledge of not only the scene, but how it was formulated, Benny is one of Michigan's foremost musicologists of rock, particularly on how the history of it all came together. Here in part 2, Benny dives into backing other artists such as Freddie 'Boom Boom' Cannon and Bo Diddley, he discusses stolen equipment and getting featured in the Detroit News, he crosses paths with Madonna, Question Mark, Eddie Money AND Ronnie Spector and so much more. He also performs live on the podcast! You can't miss this one, hot on the heels of part 1...don't forget to check out his Facebook feed! facebook.com/benny.jets.detroit  and his Dumb Girls Video: https://youtu.be/jq7dLhUzLpA?si=gwm1UM1LpCSHl5CF