New Kid Rock Music Lab Features Royal Oakers

Visitors to the Detroit Historical Museum can explore the rich legacy of Metro Detroit’s music scene from Royal Oak to Motown in the new Kid Rock Music Lab exhibit.

“We believe the Kid Rock Music Lab will be an inspiring new exhibit for museum-goers,” said Society CEO Bob Bury, in a press release. “The intention behind the new Kid Rock Music Lab is to help usher in the next generation of Detroit’s great musical artists.”

New exhibit features Dondero grad

The rocking participatory space includes Royal Oak native Glenn Frey. Frey, who was the lead singer of the 70s rock band The Eagles, graduated in 1966 from Dondero High School where he was on the high school wrestling team and voted "Most Likely to Inhale," according to www.glennfreyonline.com. 

Bob Seger, who routinely gave a shout out during concerts to a Royal Oak rocker, is also part of the interactive exhibit.  On the best-selling 1976 Live Bullet album listeners can hear Seger introduce, "Mr. Drew Abbott from Royal Oak, Michigan on guitar," during a performance of Let It Rock.

Kid Rock's Royal Oak connection

And, the man behind the lab, Robert James Ritchie, better know as Kid Rock, also has Royal Oak ties. In an interview with MTV Kid Rock had this to say about Royal Oak:

Devil Without a Cause was made in my little modest house in Royal Oak, Michigan. A lot of that was put together there in that basement, which is the size of this horseshoe pit. When the dollars finally started rolling in, I finally got my dream. A lot of people buy Bentleys and what not. I bought some property out in the woods that a lot of other people can enjoy beside just me.

If You Go

The Detroit Historical Museum is located at 5401 Woodward Ave. in Detroit. The museum is open 9:30 a.m - 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday; noon - 5 p.m. Sunday.

Did you know Glenn Frey, Drew Abbott or Kid Rock when they lived in Royal Oak? Share your stories in the comments!