Originally from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania David Kermit Miller moved to Birmingham Michigan with his parents c.1965. By 1967 having been turned on to the new Grande Ballroom by a high school buddy, young Dave would meet promoter Russ Gibb and become one of his “Handbill Army”. In exchange for distributing Grande promotional materials at schools, head shops and hangouts on his home turf, he was given free admission to all events at the ballroom. By the fall of 1967 now a certified regular, Dave was offered the chance to live audition for the announcer spot as outgoing M.C. Rick “Big Rick” Patrny had been drafted. Dave passed the trial and rarely missed a show thereafter.
In March 1968 Dave would host and introduce a promising act from England called The Who. Their road manager was a young man from Birmingham, Alabama named Tom Wright. I had interviewed Dave previously for my Grande Ballroom book project, but reconnected with him recently to talk about this Grande connection and Dave’s appearance at the benefit for Tom Wright on April 30 at the Diesel Lounge in Chesterfield Township. The former Grande Manager and renowned rock photographer has been recuperating from a pair of recent strokes. Detroit’s Music community is coming together for this event at the behest of empresario, promoter and educator Russ Gibb – Leo Early
Dave honoring Russ Gibb at the Grande 40th Concert – Royal Oak Music Theater
Russ Gibb & Tom Wright 2006 – Grande 40th Concert
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