Detroit techno legends honoured in museum ceremony

Now here’s a Hall of Fame moment that is thoroughly deserved. As part of the opening of the Movement Electronic Music Festival, The Detroit Historical Museum hosted their closing party on May 25th with a ceremony that paid homage to some of the techno legends of the city. Carl Craig, Jeff Mills, Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson and Eddie Fowlkes – five of the most respected names in electronic music – were inducted into the brand new Detroit Legends Plaza, which will be displayed publically at the official re-opening of the Museum.

The ceremony took place outside the Museum’s Woodward Plaza, and involved a Hollywood-esque casting of handprints in blocks of clay, which were then signed by the four honourees. After the brief ceremony, the crowd was treated to a Carl Craig set.

For those who love their techno, it’s hardly necessary to emphasise the importance of these figures to Detroit and electronic music overall. The ceremony has been greeted with much enthusiasm, as an official recognition by the city of Detroit of their work has long been considered overdue. Joining them in the Legends Plaza will be other figures from the Detroit music scene, such as such Gordie Howe, Martha Reeves, Elmore Leonard and Lily Tomlin, with more to follow.

The Detroit Legends Plaza will be one of the official attractions to The Detroit Historical Museum after its current renovation, which is set to open to the public again in November 2012. The Detroit Legends Plaza is also part of the Detroit Historical Society’s ‘Past Forward’ fundraising campaign, which is looking to raise a potential $20.1 million for future exhibits, education opportunities and technological upgrades within the Detroit Historical Museum.