Almost 50 years after Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 started their career via a Motown audition that turned successful, Detroit’s city will now be naming one of their streets in honour of the pop king. This way, the city would be commemorating her history as well as honouring the legend.
The particular street to be renamed after Michael Jackson is off Randolph street, Detroit’s theatre district. It will be renamed the city of Detroit. This announcement will be made by the Chief of Staff, Stephen Grady, on behalf of the Detroit City Council President, Brenda Jones. The announcement will be made at a Detroit Music Weekend Festival Ceremony, slated for the 15th of June.
There were some indications that the year’s festival would include a Jackson 5 street renaming. However, a city ordinance prohibited naming the street after a group or organisation. So, it had to be named after just one person. They reached a compromise, and the street will be named Michael Jackson Avenue. In honouring Michael Jackson, the whole Jackson family is also being honoured in the long run.
The Ceremony will be attended by the surviving Jacksons, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon, to whom they will hand over the key to the city to by the City mayor, Mike Duggan.
The city of Detroit undoubtedly has a rich history of nurturing musical talent in America. It only fits to honour Michael Jackson because his career was buried with a recording agreement audition that was successful in the motor city.
According to the city spokesman, Stephen Grady, the Jacksons were among the first black Americans to perform and release hits back-to-back. For the Jacksons, music originated there, and everyone made a replica of the Motown sound. The honouring of pop stars by naming a street after them would not be the first. The year before, at the festival, the city honoured an American musical icon- Aretha Franklin.
However, there is no doubt that the honouring of the Jacksons is totally deserved. They have contributed immensely to the development of music. Even more, there is no doubt that they have placed their names in the sands of time. This is further exemplified by the legacy of Michael Jackson, who wasn’t only a wonderful artist but is regarded as the best of all.
Both on and off the stage, he demonstrated unmatched tenacity that is yet to be replicated within the music industry. He continues to lead the chart when it comes to popularity and fame within Detroit and the United States of America at large. This is why it is only normal that his acts and legacy are duly recognised by the city of Detroit.
Thousands and millions of fans are looking forward to this day. This is thanks to the opportunity that it offers fans to appreciate their idol.