Hello, Pine Knob

The 2023 Pine Knob Music Theatre season is here, and so is Season 2 of the 'Hello, Pine Knob' podcast! In the opening episode, host Gary Graff speaks with President of 313 Presents, Howard Handler; Pine Knob Executive Chef Scott Johnson and Liz Russel, Director of Concessions; 2023 Poster Contest Winner Alison Slackta, and Megan Mesack from the College for Creative Studies. 

It's nearly impossible to pinpoint the most famous moment in the long history of Pine Knob. But, there are few moments more iconic then when Bob Seger and Bruce Springsteen met for the first time. On this episode of Hello Pine Knob!, host Gary Graff hangs out with Thomas Weschler and Ken Calvert, two men who where there on that late summer evening in 1978.

The J Geils Band hails from Boston but they feel right at home in Detroit, recording three live albums in the city, including 'Showtime' at Pine Knob in 1982 (one of their nearly 2 dozen Pine Knob). On this episode of Hello Pine Knob!, host Gary Graff catches up with J Geils Band frontman Peter Wolf about what made Detroit Rock City feel like home.

The British rock band Def Leppard just played Comerica Park this past summer. But for Def Leppard, the 13 times on stage at Pine Knob are fond memories. So much so that they cut a live album in  Oakland County's Independence Township. On this episode of Hello Pine Knob!, host Gary Graff catches up with Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen about their live album.

Starting with photos from the very first concert -- David Cassidy on June 25, 1972 -- the exhibit showcases the performances as well as the fans who made Pine Knob a legendary stop on the entertainment touring circuit. On this episode of Hello Pine Knob!, host Gary Graff walks through time with photo curator Meg Handler.

Toronto-based Bare Naked Ladies have sold 15 million albums world wide. But before they found world-wide fame, the alternative rockers were already selling out Pine Knob. In this episode of Hello Pine Knob!, host Gary Graff and BNL frontman Ed Robertson chat about the magic behind Pine Knob. 

Plenty of artists have released live albums from their Pine Knob shows. But in 1982, the Steve Miller Band took it one step further, with 'Steve Miller Band Live!' an audio AND visual recording of the show. In this episode of Hello Pine Knob! host Gary Graff sits down to reminisce with none other than Steve Miller himself. 

When Pine Knob opened in 1972, it looked much different than it does today, mostly because of the tunnel that bisected the lawn. In 1983, the tunnel was filled in, increasing the amphitheater's capacity by 2,500.  In this episode of 'Hello Pine Knob,' host Gary Graff talks to Joan Malachowski Brandt, the woman who was hired to paint the tunnel with the faces and names of acts that graced the stage at Pine Knob.

Pine Knob is one of the premiere music venues in the world. Need proof? Look no further than Peter Frampton's 'Live in Detroit' documentary that was recorded in the summer of '99 and released the following summer. In this episode of 'Hello Pine Knob,' host Gary Graff talks to Frampton about the storied venue and why it is so endearing. 

Although Eddie Money's first Pine Knob show was in 1983, it was the summer of 1992 when the Money Man began a string of almost 30 consecutive years playing the venue's inaugural show of the season. In this episode of 'Hello Pine Knob,' host Gary Graff chats with the family of the late rocker about Eddie's love for Pine Knob, and their enduring memories. BONUS: This episode features a live performance of 'I Wanna Go Back' from Eddie Money's final show at Pine Knob in 2018.