Heaven Was Detroit

"[. . .] Detroit finally has the consummate tome that brings together all the disparate strands of its towering musical legacy that have faded forever into the recesses of time. . . . Motor City nuts can only swoon."—Kris Needs, Shindig Magazine

"Impressively researched, written, organized and presented [ . . . ]"—Michael J. Carson, Midwest Book Review

"An incredible book. Comprehensive, panoramic, and makes a case for Detroit being the greatest music city in the US. Which it isn't. And that's how good this book truly is, raising the point —why isn't there a book like this for EVERY city in the US?"—Steve Wynn, singer/songwriter/guitarist of the Dream Syndicate

"The musical terrain surveyed in the nearly 70 pieces is as vast as the city itself. . . . Readers will find insightful writing on already famous artists such as John Lee Hooker, Marvin Gaye, Bob Seger, the MC5, Eminem and Kid Rock. But equal space is devoted to forgotten or overlooked arcana . . ."—Troy Reimink, Detroit Free Press

"Heaven Was Detroit captures the essence of the Detroit music scene: the grit, the spark, the desire to tell a story set to the rhythm of the city. Fans of any music genre will nd something that speaks to them in the pages of this collection."—Aisha K. Staggers, BookTrib

"Heaven Was Detroit is a valuable collection whose diversity is, like the city itself, one of its greatest strengths."—Joshua S. Duchan, The Michigan Historical Review

"M. L. Liebler curates an exhaustive collection of essays about Detroit music by a diverse group of music scholars, journalists, and musicians. Instead of relying on familiar narratives about Motown and rock and roll, this anthology engages a vast array of musical genres and sub-genres, while sharing the oft-surprising hidden histories of artists, institutions, and communities integral to Detroit's unique sound."—Kimberly Mack, New Books Network

"It seems there are certain places – my home town of Liverpool is one and Detroit is definitely another – that can't so much as cough without producing music that awakens the world. You'd think giving birth to Motown would be enough for one city, but Detroit's story didn't start there and it sure as hell didn't stop there. Now, thanks to M. L. Liebler's eloquent army of advocates, we can see a little deeper into this resilient city's soul. This epic book is everything Detroit deserves."—Paul Du Noyer, Founding Editor of Mojo: the Music Magazine and Author of Conversations with Mccartney

"M. L. Liebler's Heaven was Detroit is a fascinating compendium of thought on the dazzlingly complex music of the Motor City."—David Ritz, Grammy Award Winner, the Only Four-Time Winner of the Gleason Music Book Award, and Author of Before You Judge Me: an Idiosyncratic Look at Michael Jackson

"A ridiculously extensive genre-spanning overview of Detroit's contributions to music, featuring a chorus of authentic, distinct voices — there's something here for generalists and geeks alike. An essential addition to every music library!"—Michael T. Fournier, Author of Double Nickels on the Dime and Swing State