In December 2021 an auction was held for the “Holy Grail” of all Grande memorabilia, Russ Gibb’s Grande Ballroom Italian Planter Vase. (see its story in the original blog post) All proceeds going to the Dearborn High Russ Gibb Digital Media Center for the Arts.
Author, building historian and local D.J. Dan Austin of HistoricDetroit.org stepped up and won the bid for the Vase. Fortunately for everyone, Dan did not want this for his own extensive music collection. Instead Dan has donated and delivered it to its new home, the Detroit Historical Museum. Dan believes, as this author does that these items should reside in a place where everyone can enjoy them, not just in the homes of collectors.
Along with the vase came a second bonus item. A base relief brass fountain that was originally mounted to the wall in the Grande men’s room or smoking anteroom. This fountain sat for decades in Russ’ dining room china cabinet.
Many times I spoke with Russ about organizing and donating his collections and papers. He often mentioned museums and I recomended several, but could never convince him to start the project. Mr. Gibb was a high profile donor to the Henry Ford whose collections he enjoyed all of his life. Although it could have been a contender, the Henry Ford never seemed like a fit to him for any of his Rock n’ Roll or Grande items. The Detroit Historical Museum I think would have been Russ’ choice too.
Many thanks to Andy Fradkin from the Gibb Estate and especially to Dan Austin for keeping Detroit Music History alive for everyone!
Leo Early March – 2022