How Bookie Stewart shaped Detroit’s music scene
Journalist Rob St. Mary joins CultureShift to talk about how Bookie’s fostered a uniquely creative space for local musicians as Detroit’s first punk venue.
The early days of Bookie's.
In a recent article for the Detroit Free Press, journalist Rob St. Mary writes that “if it wasn’t for the ‘Godfather of Gay Detroit,’ Detroit rock history might have been different.” He dives into the influence of Samuel “Bookie” Stewart as one of the city’s most iconic night life entrepreneurs, and how he helped launch the modern music scene.
St. Mary, a former WDET reporter, joins CultureShift to talk about how Bookie’s fostered a uniquely creative space for local musicians as Detroit’s first punk venue.
“It becomes a place where all the artists — weirdos, queer kids, straight kids, Black, white, Hispanic kids — everybody all comes together and they start performing.” — Rob St. Mary, journalist
Support the shows you love.
WDET’s unique music programs are dedicated to exploring the music and culture of our region and the world.
Keep the music going. Please make a gift today.
