Motown Rocks: 26 Detroit musicians who kick out the jams

GlobalPost
The World

Marvin Gaye, Eminem, Iggy Pop and Madonna.

In addition to defining the sounds of their respective decades, all these musical greats have another thing in common: they're all from Detroit.

Yes, despite economic ruin, America's "worst city" has produced some of the most influential musicians from the last 60 years. Kick out the jams and boogie chillen, Detroit rocks!

Detroit's musical legacy spans decades and genres including boisterous anthems of rebellion, timeless soul classics and incisive critiques of income inequality.

The place has always pioneered music — and done so in a way that is very Detroit. 

From three high school students inventing techno in their basements to an unemployed ex-boxer borrowing $800 to found the legendary record label that would define 60s soul music (and plenty more), Detroit has approached music with gritty determination and fearless innovation. 

To all those Detroiters and others feeling gloomy about this week's bankruptcy news, crank these 26 Motor City anthems to remember why Detroit rocks. Still.

Are you with The World?

The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you: We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.

When you make a gift of $10 or more a month, we’ll invite you to a virtual behind-the-scenes tour of our newsroom to thank you for being with The World.