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The 70 and 60 something weather was comforting. So was the generous breeze Thursday evening as Ford Motor Co. officially celebrated the completion of its renovated Michigan Central train station in Detroit's Corktown with a star-studded outdoor concert that began with Motown legend Diana Ross and ended with Eminem.
To the backdrop of the lighted 15-story high station, Ford Chief Executive Bill Ford introduced Eminem to the crowd of about 20,000, which errupted into cheer. "We love you Detroit," Eminem shouted at the end.
Other performers included Jack White, Big Sean, the Clark Sisters, Trick Trick, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Common, Slum Village, Illa J, Kierra Sheard, Melissa Etheridge, Theo Parrish, Sky Jetta, Jelly Roll and Fantasia.
It was Fantasia, Melissa Etheridge and Jelly Roll who performed Bob Seger songs as a tribute to the hometown star. All did an outstanding job, but Jelly Roll's rendition of "Turn the Page" might have shined even a bit more.
Photo of the station provided by Michigan Central
The show was sprinkled with notables on stage between acts like Judge Greg Mathis, actor Sam Richardson and Detroit Lions Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown and retired running back Barry Sanders. There were also videos between acts showing the renovated station and some businesses that are part of Ford's 30-acre Corktown campus, that includes a renovated book depository building next door with 97 startups and about 600 workers. Ford is expected to spend nearly a billion dollars for the project. The station, the centerpiece of the campus, is expected to include retail shops, a destination restaurant and a hotel. Detroiters may also see the return of Amtrak service near the station.
Eminem was listed as an executive producer of the show, but not officially as a performer. Still, that being said, he was expected to perform as a surprise guest. It would have been a bigger surprise had he not performed.
Michigan Central photo
He performed his new song "Houdini. Then Jelly Roll joined him. Then Detroit rapper Trick Trick joined him for "Welcome 2 Detroit." He ended it with "Not Afraid."
Before the concert began, there were brief congratulatory speeches by Bill Ford, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Mayor Mike Duggan.
(Also read the New York Times story by Deadline Detroit's Allan Lengel on the train station and the impact on the neighborhood)
Also, see more photos from the concert later Friday.
Diana Ross opened the concert.
Big Sean (Photo: Michigan Central Station)
Jack White
The Clark Sisters (Miichigan Central photo)
Common performed
Eminem (Michigan Central photo)
Bob Roberts, president of the Corktown Business Association and co-owner of McShane's Irish Pub.
Melissa Etheridge, Jelly Roll and Jelly Roll (Michigan Central photo)
Jack White (Michigan Central photo)
The calm before the concert
Burgers and chicken on the grill at one of the food trucks
