musicAretha Franklin
Stops: slot the hymn board, flip seven tiles, fill the choir loft, then pull Detroit’s organ stops for full organ.
4 places in DetroitAtlantic Records · CC0 · Display-cropped
Explore Detroit through the places behind its cultural stories. Start with Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Iggy Pop, then follow the connections between the works, people and locations in this collection. Use the map to see how the documented locations fit together, and browse the place cards for the story behind each stop. A production location and the place it represents on screen can be different; each connection keeps those details separate. For something happening now, follow the official events programme and confirm dates and access with the organiser before travelling. Build your own route by choosing the stories that interest you most. Return to explore new stories as the collection grows.
Start with a story.
music
musicIggy Pop
Surf: pass him hand to hand across a crowd of real Michigan places to Crosley Field, open the peanut butter, park cars in the Michigan Palace, ride Berlin in the passenger seat.
2 places in DetroitMichael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display-cropped · City context photograph
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Places with a story.
38 places · 36 mapped locations
Hitsville U.S.A.
The Motown Museum keeps Studio A here, with original instruments and recording equipment from 1959 to 1972.
Tours are paused while the museum builds next door; it plans to reopen in spring 2027. See the house from West Grand Boulevard until then.
New Bethel Baptist Church
The Reverend C.L. Franklin became pastor of New Bethel in 1946.
A working church. Go to a service as a guest, dressed for church; it is not a museum.
Charles H. Wright Museum
On 28 and 29 August 2018 Franklin lay in the museum’s rotunda for two days of public viewing.
Tuesday to Sunday, 9am–5pm (Thursdays to 7pm); closed Mondays. Adults $15, over-62s and 6–17s $12, under-6s free.
Woodlawn Cemetery
Her funeral was held at Greater Grace Temple, one of the city’s largest churches, on Friday 31 August 2018.
A working cemetery. Visit quietly, in daylight, and give funerals room.
Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre
Mayor Mike Duggan announced at her funeral in August 2018 that Chene Park would take her name.
An open-air concert venue on the river. Book a summer show to go in.
The Grande Ballroom
It was built in 1928 in a Moorish Deco style, with a sprung dance floor upstairs.
Empty and shut. See it from Grand River Avenue.
The Michigan Palace
The Michigan Theatre opened on 23 August 1926, one of the finest movie palaces in Detroit.
A working car park for the office building. See it from Bagley Street; it is not run as an attraction.
Detroit Institute of Arts
Fake or Fortune? examined the museum’s Benjamin West Last Supper.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Midtown, Detroit · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Michigan Central Station
The Island filmed at the former station.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Corktown, Detroit · Source-recorded site-centre position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Guardian Building
Batman v Superman: Wayne Building.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Downtown, Detroit · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Detroit Masonic Temple
Batman v Superman: underground fight.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Midtown, Detroit · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Detroit Public Library
Batman v Superman: museum gala.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Main Library, Midtown, Detroit · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Belle Isle
Batman v Superman: Heroes Park.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Detroit River, Detroit · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Cliff Bell’s
The Ides of March: Ninth and Vine nightclub.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Downtown, Detroit · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Redford Theatre
It Follows: opening date scene.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Northwest Detroit, Detroit · Historic NPS 2021 site reference: arbitrary point with stated source accuracy ±12 metres; current building status and exact entrance not verified. Existing visitor restrictions apply.
Lafayette Coney Island
Whip It: food-fight scene.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Downtown, Detroit · Source-recorded site-centre position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Detroit Foundation Hotel
Real Steel: robot repair, before hotel conversion.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
250 West Larned Street, Detroit · Source-recorded address-level position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Renaissance Center
Real Steel: New York Big Arena façade.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Jefferson Avenue, Detroit · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
The Shelter — Saint Andrew’s Hall
The Shelter inspired 8 Mile’s rap venue; this claim does not identify the film set.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
431 East Congress Street, Detroit · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Former Hip Hop Shop
Eminem’s early open-mic venue inspired 8 Mile’s battles; not a filming location.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
West Seven Mile Road, Detroit · Source-recorded official building address reference position; not a surveyed filming viewpoint or visitor route. Existing visitor restrictions apply.
Orchestra Hall
Jerome Remick helped establish Orchestra Hall in 1919.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Woodward Avenue, Detroit · Source-recorded site-centre position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Former Arcadia Ballroom
Goldkette brought McKinney’s band to Arcadia in 1926.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Woodward Avenue, Detroit · Historic demolished Arcadia Ballroom property reference published by HistoricDetroit at 3527 Woodward Avenue. The source dates demolition to 1972; not a surviving ballroom, film/music viewpoint, replacement-building entrance or present access certification.
Former Graystone Ballroom
McKinney’s band played Graystone from early 1927; demolished 1980.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Woodward Avenue near Canfield, Detroit · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
The Roostertail
Stevie Wonder performed at the Roostertail.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Detroit riverfront, Detroit · Coordinates awaiting source review
Former Flame Show Bar
Billie Holiday headlined the Flame Show Bar.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
John R and Canfield, Detroit · Historic demolished Flame Show Bar property reference published by HistoricDetroit at 4264 John R Street. The source dates closure to 1963 and demolition to 1965; no surviving venue interior, current operation, surveyed entrance or present access is certified.
Former Club Plantation
Stutz Anderson provided music at the club’s 1933 opening.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
550 East Adams, Detroit · Coordinates awaiting source review
United Sound Systems
John Lee Hooker recorded Boogie Chillen at United Sound.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Detroit · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Fox Theatre
Elvis Presley gave three performances here in 1956.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Woodward Avenue, Detroit · Source-recorded site-centre position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
The Fillmore Detroit
Fergie performed the inaugural show after the Fillmore rebranding.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Woodward Avenue, Detroit · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Former Olympia Stadium
The Beatles performed at Olympia; demolished in 1986.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Grand River and McGraw, Detroit · Current registered parcel reference at the historic 5920 Grand River Avenue address; not a surveyed former stadium footprint, historic doorway or replacement-armory entrance. No visitor access is implied. Existing visitor restrictions apply.
Penobscot Building
MovieMaps lists Penobscot Building in its filming-location catalogue for 8 Mile. The production-site association and current access await review.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Penobscot Building, Detroit · MovieMaps location 543 llat/llng; source-recorded site centre, geography review pending; not a surveyed viewpoint.
Downtown Louie's Lounge
MovieMaps lists Downtown Louie's Lounge in its filming-location catalogue for 8 Mile. The production-site association and current access await review.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Downtown Louie's Lounge, Detroit · MovieMaps location 53u llat/llng; source-recorded site centre, geography review pending; not a surveyed viewpoint.
Detroit Seafood Market
MovieMaps lists Detroit Seafood Market in its filming-location catalogue for 8 Mile. The production-site association and current access await review.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Detroit Seafood Market, Detroit · MovieMaps location 53x llat/llng; source-recorded site centre, geography review pending; not a surveyed viewpoint.
Empty Lot at Grand River & Quincy
MovieMaps lists Empty Lot at Grand River & Quincy in its filming-location catalogue for 8 Mile. The production-site association and current access await review.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Empty Lot at Grand River & Quincy, Detroit · MovieMaps location 541 llat/llng; source-recorded site centre, geography review pending; not a surveyed viewpoint.
Former Chin Tiki Club
MovieMaps lists Former Chin Tiki Club in its filming-location catalogue for 8 Mile. The production-site association and current access await review.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Former Chin Tiki Club, Detroit · MovieMaps location 53y llat/llng; source-recorded site centre, geography review pending; not a surveyed viewpoint.
New Center Stamping
MovieMaps lists New Center Stamping in its filming-location catalogue for 8 Mile. The production-site association and current access await review.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
New Center Stamping, Detroit · MovieMaps location 53t llat/llng; source-recorded site centre, geography review pending; not a surveyed viewpoint.
Detroit Music Hall
MovieMaps lists Detroit Music Hall in its filming-location catalogue for Sparkle. The production-site association and current access await review.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Detroit Music Hall, Detroit · MovieMaps location 1zn llat/llng; source-recorded site centre, geography review pending; not a surveyed viewpoint.
Hutzel Women's Hospital
MovieMaps lists Hutzel Women's Hospital in its filming-location catalogue for Scream 4. The production-site association and current access await review.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Hutzel Women's Hospital, Detroit · MovieMaps location 6v9 llat/llng; source-recorded site centre, geography review pending; not a surveyed viewpoint.
People behind the stories.
Explore every World.
Aretha Franklin ↗
Stops: slot the hymn board, flip seven tiles, fill the choir loft, then pull Detroit’s organ stops for full organ.
New Bethel Baptist Church ↗Charles H. Wright Museum ↗Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre ↗Woodlawn Cemetery ↗
Enter the existing World ↗Iggy Pop ↗
Surf: pass him hand to hand across a crowd of real Michigan places to Crosley Field, open the peanut butter, park cars in the Michigan Palace, ride Berlin in the passenger seat.
Enter the existing World ↗8 Mile ↗
Explore 8 Mile through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice ↗
Explore Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
Eminem ↗
Explore Eminem through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
McKinney’s Cotton Pickers ↗
Explore McKinney’s Cotton Pickers through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
Real Steel ↗
Explore Real Steel through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
Billie Holiday ↗
Explore Billie Holiday through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra ↗
Explore Detroit Symphony Orchestra through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
Elvis Presley ↗
Explore Elvis Presley through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
Enter the existing World ↗Fake or Fortune? ↗
Explore Fake or Fortune? through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
Fergie ↗
Explore Fergie through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
It Follows ↗
Explore It Follows through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
John Lee Hooker ↗
Explore John Lee Hooker through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
Michael Jackson ↗
The pavement: twelve lit tiles of real places; step forward through his life or moonwalk back.
Enter the existing World ↗Scream 4 ↗
Explore Scream 4 through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
Sparkle ↗
Explore Sparkle through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
Stevie Wonder ↗
Explore Stevie Wonder through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
Stutz Anderson ↗
Explore Stutz Anderson through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
The Beatles ↗
Explore The Beatles through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
Enter the existing World ↗The Ides of March ↗
Explore The Ides of March through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
The Island ↗
Explore The Island through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
Whip It ↗
Explore Whip It through the Detroit locations documented by the linked sources.
City photograph: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display-cropped for this layout.
Music location collection
Music, in place.
Music videos, cover images and recording history. Each connection links to its source. 4 named locations have supported map pins; locations awaiting coordinates remain below.
Explore the Music location map ↗
Explore Detroit on the map.
Open full map ↗4 locations · 4 connections · showing 4
Sound Suite Recording Studios — Detroit
Supported named-site pin. Confirm present access before visiting.
1 music connection and sources
Russell Industrial Center — Detroit
Supported named-site pin. Confirm present access before visiting.
1 music connection and sources
Brooksfield Gentlemens Club — Detroit
Supported named-site pin. Confirm present access before visiting.
1 music connection and sources
United Sound Systems Recording Studios — Detroit
Supported named-site pin. Confirm present access before visiting.