Media

Music Writer Susan Whitall and TV Reporter Al Allen Among Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame Inductees

February 20, 2021, 9:09 AM by  Allan Lengel


Susan Whitall

Award-winning music writer Susan Whitall, who worked for decades at The Detroit News, and Al Allen, a radio and TV reporter in Detroit for 50 years, are among seven new Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame inductees. A ceremony will be scheduled this fall.

Whitall worked as an editor and reporter for the iconic Creem Magazine from1975-83 before joining The News. She chronicled the evolution of the music industry and got to know such greats as Aretha Franklin, Berry Gordy and a slew of rock stars. She went on strike in 1995 and rejoined the paper after the union agreed to return to the newsroom.

She took a buyout in 2016, but continues to freelance for the publicaiton. 

She is the author of three books -- "Women of Motown," "Fever: Little Willie John’s Fast Life, Mysterious Death" and the "Birth of Soul" -- and editor of "Joni on Joni: Interviews and Encounters with Joni Mitchell," published in 2018.

Al Allen, who retired in 2012, worked in radio and TV.  

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Al Allen

The Arkansas native came to Detroit in the early 1970s to work at WJLB as an anchor/reporter and eventually made his way to Fox 2  in 1984 where he became a beloved street reporter for 28 years.  In 2018, he wrote a memoir titled "We're Standing By."

Other Hall of Fame inductees are:

  • Joanne Gerstner, a former Detroit News sportswriter, who teaches at Michigan State University
  • Tom Henderson, former Detroit Free Press and Crain's Detroit Business writer. 
  • Jean Jennings, 40-year automotive writer, editor and teller of humorous tales.
  • Edward Lapham, news-breaking auto editor, leader and mentor to many. He was executive editor of Automotive News.
  • Marjorie Sorge, premier auto and labor writer; editor of two auto publications.

The Hall of Fame will announce by June 1 a date for the ceremony and whether it will be held virtually or in person at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on Michigan State University's campus. 



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