By Steve (205.188.200.174 - 205.188.200.174) on Friday, November 30, 2001 - 03:28 am:

Someone in an earlier message was speaking of the demolition of the Fortune Records building and the impending demolition of the United Sound Systems building. I was quite worried when I read that, & so drove by to happily find it still there! Anyway, after doing a little bit of research, I found there is a bit of information on the Internet regarding the proposed upgrade of I-94 expressway which could necessitate using the land where this building sits (as well as others of historical importance). However, to my surprise, the Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) does explicitly acknowledge the historical importance of United Sound. See the following: http://www.mdot.state.mi.us/i94rehab/default.htm. I expected them to blindly bulldoze anything in the way of faster freeway traffic (they still may!) Anyway, it looks as if construction on this project is not scheduled to start immediately, and considering our recent economic problems it may be delayed even further. I can't stand reading off the computer screen so I'll be off to one of the neighborhood city halls to pick up a print copy of their so-called Environmental Impact Statement. There is a opportunity in the website to send comments to MDOT and get on their mailing list. It may just get their attention if people from around the world were to comment relative to the importance of the United Sound facility.

By the way, NPR tells me that today is Berry Gordy's 72nd birthday, which reminds me that the old Studio B building on Davison Ave. still looks exactly as it does in the photo posted elsewhere on this fine website.

By cl (207.75.182.34 - 207.75.182.34) on Friday, November 30, 2001 - 05:37 am:

In his book Quincy Jones refers to recording the album "my shining hour" _____ Sammy Davis with the count Basie orchestra at united sound in detroit.

I have a friend who recorded there back in the mid 80's. The really sad thing is there are few studios left with much of the old equipment.

And in the case of the art of recording older is better..........much better!!!

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.100.227 - 213.122.100.227) on Friday, November 30, 2001 - 08:54 am:

thanks for that cl.

i have some nice photographs to upload on a united sound webisode.

it would be great to make some kind of listing of significant artists etc who recorded there....and there are many.

can people chip in with detail from albums etc?

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.100.227 - 213.122.100.227) on Friday, November 30, 2001 - 09:01 am:

steve

thanks. yes it's still there but for how long.

we cannot allow it to just disappear one day.

lowell also pointed out the movement of other significant buildings within the city - like the gem theatre.

i think that united sound is a much more important building than fortune (and that is no slight on fortune).