Hello, Pine Knob

Welcome to Hello Pine Knob and our fourth season of talking about Michigan's oldest and largest amphitheater. The 2025 season gets underway on Wednesday, June 11, with a concert by Grammy-nominated singer Halsey, making her Pine Knob debut and her first Metro area appearance since 2017. That will be the first of 39 shows announced so far, which will take us into early October. To get us ready for that, we've invited some guests to take a look at what we can expect for Pine Knob 2025 - 313 Presents President, Howard Handler, Pine Knob poster contest winner, Penny Livingston, and Pine Knob's Senior Director of Premium Sales and Services, Nicole Houin.

Pine Knob finishes its 2024 season with a pair of shows on Friday and Saturday, October 4 and 5, by Michigan's own Billy Strings -- a Grammy Award-winning guitarist and Americana star who's celebrating both the arrival of a brand new album, "Highway Prayers," and the arrival his first son. Then, with Pine Knob about to close, we thought we'd offer listeners a look inside some of the backstage operations that keep the place running, during and even out of season. We talk with Elmer Straub, 313 Presents Senior Vice President for Entertainment Production and Operations, and Mike Willart, Senior Vice President of Facilities and Construction for the Detroit Pistons, about how Pine Knob closes after a busy season.

The Pine Knob season is nearing the end of its 2024 season, and the next to last weekend of the year will be a loud one. On Friday, September 27th, Korn, Spiritbox and Gojira play at 6:30 p.m.The next night, Saturday, September 28th, is the annual Riff Fest, which will feature Godsmack, Seether, Asking Alexandria and others. Jane's Addiction had to abandon the reunion tour of its original lineup because of turmoil within the band. Before all that came down, however, we spoke to drummer Stephen Perkins about the first Lollapalooza Festival during the summer of 1991, which was one of the most legendary shows in Pine Knob's 52 year history.

Hard rockers Staind will be back at Pine Knob on Wednesday, September 11, for a second show there in just over a year. It will be the heavy rock quartet's seventh show at Pine Knob, and guitarist Mike Mushok tells us why Pine Knob is one of his favorite places to play. Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top are continuing their Shaper Dressed Simple Man tour, which the two classic rock acts launched last year and are bringing back to Pine Knob for another stop on Friday, Sept. 13. Judas Priest isn't playing at Pine Knob this time, though -- it's at the Michigan Lottery Amphitheater on Tuesday, Sept. 17 -- but the British heavy metal group has its own history at Pine Knob, including an Ozzfest appearance during 2004. Frontman Rob Halford is another who has nothing but good things to say about Pine Knob.

We're nearing the end of August, but there's still plenty of music coming to Pine Knob -- nearly a dozen shows, in fact, making for one of the busiest post-Labor Day weekend seasons ever.Coming this Friday, Aug. 30, is Alice Cooper, the Detroit-born, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame shock rocker on his tour with Rob Zombie. We can expect more of the same joyfully macabre entertainment his time, too -- but with a twist. Then, a look inside the business of concert merchandise with Bill Blackwell of Blackbird Vending in the latest episode of "Hello, Pine Knob!"  

On this week's episode, we talk to a trio of Pine Knob mainstays.  The Doobie Brothers share why they believe their music has endured so long, Bret Michaels explains why Parti Gras will not only sound good, but smell good, and Incubus tells tales of past Pine Knob performances. 

The season is speeding by, and July is turning into August with a couple of notable shows from some of our favorite rockers.  Creed is in the midst of its first concert tour in 12 years, which, among other things, is marking the 25th anniversary of its multi-platinum sophomore album Human Clay. Creed performs with 3 Doors Down and Finger Eleven on Wednesday, July 31. Sammy Hagar brings his The Best of All Worlds Tour to Pine Knob on Friday, August 2. Plus Melissa Etheridge shares her many memories about playing Pine Knob, from opening for Bruce Hornsby to her own headlining shows. Finally, we thought we'd remember a particularly historic show. It was Talking Heads final appearance in the metro area, on August 11, 1983.

For this episode, we've connected with some of Pine Knob's upcoming acts -- I Prevail, Train, REO Speedwagon and Chicago -- as well as another frequent visitor, to share their memories about playing the venue and to let us know what we can expect for their appearances this year.

First up is Carlos Santana discussing what to expect at his 2024 performance at Pine Knob this Tuesday. This year Santana's show also coincides with the 55th anniversary of the Woodstock festival, where the group made its name.  Next, we talk with 99.5 WYCD to prepare for their annual Hoedown concert. The 99.5 WYCD Hoedown has been around since 1983 and has been held at Pine Knob since 2016. The two-day event will headline Luke Bryan and host a different collection of supporting acts each night. To get ready, we gather the gang from 99.5 WYCD — including Tim Roberts, Rachel Hunter, Steve Grunwald, Rob Stone and Holly Hutton  — to talk festival tips and favorite Hoedown memories. 

Styx and Foreigner return to Pine Knob, on Saturday, June 15. The two classic bands are out on tour, with John Waite, marking it the first time in a decade they've hit the road together. During the mid and late 70s, Andy Freeberg and Darryl Pitt served as Pine Knob's official photographers, spending night after night at the theater chronicling performances by just about every act that played there. Andy studied at the University of Michigan and has had his work published in publications such as Time, Fortune, Rolling Stone, the Village Voice and Der Spiegel. Darryl cut his teeth taking photos at Pine Knob and subsequently went on tour with several artists he met at Pine Knob, including Crosby, Stills and Nash, Diana Ross, Liza Minelli, Harry Chapin and Neil Diamond, leading to his images being exhibited at museums in Paris, Tokyo and Zurich. 

It is summertime in Michigan and that means the 2024 Pine Knob season is upon us! 47 shows highlight the 52nd season of the iconic venue. Host Gary Graff sits down with 313 Presents President Howard Handler, along with Kat Sutherland — the winner of the College for Creative Studies Pine Knob poster contest, to look ahead to a big 2024 slate of shows.

Willie Nelson turned 90 earlier this year and instead of slowing down, he's gone on a birthday tour. In advance of Willie's Outlaw Tour stop at Pine Knob on September 22, host Gary Graff talks to Oak Park native Don Was from Wolf Bros and The String Cheese Incident's Kyle Hollingsworth. Also in this episode, a conversation with Eric Vanlerberghe from I Prevail, a band formed in Southfield.

The music world was shocked when Jimmy Buffet passed away on September 1, 2023. And while Jimmy's music reflected life in the islands, he always felt right at home at Pine Knob. On this episode of Hello Pine Knob, we revisit at 2021 conversation between host Gary Graff and Jimmy Buffett.

Alice Cooper's 10th time on stage at Pine Knob this August, it'll be in support of his 29th album, "Road". And in this episode of 'Hello Pine Knob', host Gary Graff sits down with the Detroit-born Rock-and-Roll Hall of Famer to talk about rocking into his golden years. Also in this episode, Graff chats with Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins and Brent Smith from Shinedown.

Foreigner has played Pine Knob 36 times, but their 37th show on August 30 might be their last. In this episode of Hello Pine Knob, host Gary Graff chats with the members of Foreigner for a look back at their illustrious career. Also joining Graff in this episode is Disturbed guitarist Dan Donegan and Scott Hoying from Pentatonix.

Over the last 20 years, country artist Jelly Roll has gone on quite the musical journey, starting as a rapper and now finding himself climbing the country charts. In this episode of Hello Pine Knob, host Gary Graff sits down with Jelly Roll along with Johnny Van Zant and Rickey Medlocke of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Jeremiah Farites of the Lumineers.

Godsmack, Staind and Nickelback were all formed in 1995. And almost 30 years later, they are all going strong. This week, all three bands will take the Pine Knob stage yet again. On a new episode of Hello, Pine Knob, host Gary Graff sits down with Sully Erna of Godsmack, Aaron Lewis of Staind and the guys from Nickelback.

Bret Michaels is no stranger to Pine Knob, having played at the venue 17 times with his band Poison. But on July 13, Michaels brings his solo act to Clarkston with the Parti Gras tour. On a new episode of Hello Pine Knob, host Gary Graff chats with Michaels and Brad Gillis of Night Ranger who joins Michaels on the Parti Gras tour.

For decades, Carlos Santana has been bringing his brand of rock-and-roll to venues across the world. Last year, at Pine Knob, a dehydrated Santana fainted on stage. But if you thought that was going to slow him down, think again. On a new episode of Hello Pine Knob, host Gary Graff talks to not only Santana but also Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson.

Few musical acts dominated the mid-1990s like Matchbox Twenty, thanks to the multi-platinum album 'Yourself Or Someone Like You'. On a new episode of 'Hello, Pine Knob', host Gary Graff chats with the guys from Matchbox Twenty about their decades-long run of success.  But before that, we hear from the Chairman of the Hill, Blake Gitlin. 

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.

There might not be a band that knows Pine Knob better than Chicago. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers played their 82nd show at the venue earlier this summer -- a Pine Knob record. In this episode of 'Hello Pine Knob', host Gary Graff hangs out with members of the band, detailing their special relationship with the legendary venue.

Pop culture and nostalgia play big roles in our lives -- the Pine Knob Music Theatre plays into both of those things. But, between 2001-2021, Pine Knob was known as DTE Energy Music Theatre. In this episode of 'Hello, Pine Knob', host Gary Graff sits down with 313 Presents President Howard Handler to talk about the decision to bring back the Pine Knob name.

It was June 25, 1972, and the Detroit music scene was about to change forever. On that summer evening, David Cassidy became the first performer to take the stage at the brand new Pine Knob Music Theatre. The rest? It's history. In this episode of 'Hello Pine Knob', host Gary Graff relives that historic night with two attendees from the original show.