Pine Knob Music Theatre facts for kids
A sign for the venue in 2023
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| Former names |
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| Address | 33 Bob Seger Dr Clarkston, MI 48348-4784 |
| Location | Pine Knob Ski Resort |
| Owner | Palace Sports & Entertainment |
| Operator | 313 Presents |
| Capacity | 15,040
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| Opened | June 25, 1972 |
Pine Knob Music Theatre is a famous outdoor concert venue in Independence Township, Michigan, about 40 miles northwest of Detroit. An outdoor theater like this is called an amphitheater. It was built in the early 1970s near the Pine Knob ski resort, which is how it got its name.
For a while, it was called the DTE Energy Music Theatre, but in 2022, it went back to its original name.
The venue is owned by Palace Sports & Entertainment and concerts are managed by 313 Presents. Pine Knob is one of the most popular outdoor venues in the world. It has won many awards, including being named a top amphitheater by both Pollstar and Billboard magazines for selling so many tickets.
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History of Pine Knob
The amphitheater first opened on June 25, 1972. The first show was a daytime performance by teen star David Cassidy. A few nights later, singer Andy Williams held the first evening concert. When it opened, Pine Knob was the biggest amphitheater in the United States, holding 12,500 people.
The Early Years
In its first few years, Pine Knob had a unique entrance. The walls along the walkway were painted with the logos of every band and artist who had performed there. In the early 1980s, these walls were replaced with stairs and more grass seating for the lawn. This change allowed more people to attend, increasing the total capacity to over 15,000.
Upgrades and a New Name
In 1990, Palace Sports & Entertainment bought Pine Knob and spent $8 million on improvements. They added large video screens so everyone could see the show, even from the lawn.
On January 25, 2001, the venue's name was changed to DTE Energy Music Theatre. This was part of a 20-year partnership with a Detroit energy company. The name stayed for two decades before being changed back to Pine Knob Music Theatre on January 14, 2022.
Before the 2012 season, the amphitheater got a brand-new sound system. The venue was also updated with new signs, more food choices, and an outdoor beer garden called The Pine Tap.
Famous Concerts and Events
Many famous musicians have played at Pine Knob. The band Chicago has performed there 82 times, more than any other group. Rocker Bob Seger has played 33 sold-out shows at the venue. In 1977, he played eight shows in one season, a record at the time. Kid Rock later matched that record in 2013 and then broke it in 2015 with ten sold-out shows in a row.
Pine Knob has hosted many major summer music festivals, including Lollapalooza, Warped Tour, and Ozzfest.
The venue isn't just for concerts. It also hosts high school graduation ceremonies for nearby schools like Lake Orion and Clarkston. In 2019, the venue's address was officially changed to 33 Bob Seger Drive to honor the musician's many performances there.
Strict Curfew
Pine Knob is located near residential neighborhoods, so it has a strict 11:00 p.m. noise curfew. This means all concerts must end by that time. If a performer plays past the curfew, they can be fined $1,000 for every minute they go over.
This time limit has sometimes affected shows. In 2012, one band started their performance late. This forced the next performer, Rob Zombie, to cut his show short so he wouldn't go past the 11:00 p.m. curfew.
Pine Knob in Media
Many concerts at Pine Knob have been recorded or filmed over the years.
- The band Barenaked Ladies released a live DVD called Talk to the Hand: Live in Michigan that was filmed at the venue.
- Peter Frampton's live album and DVD, Live in Detroit, was from a 1999 show at Pine Knob.
- The Grateful Dead officially released recordings of their 1991 concerts at the venue.
- Dave Matthews Band has included live songs from their Pine Knob shows on special albums for their fan club.
- The cover of Joni Mitchell's 1974 live album, Miles of Aisles, shows a picture of the inside of the Pine Knob pavilion.
- The rock band Def Leppard recorded their concert film And There Will Be a Next Time... Live from Detroit at the venue in 2016.
See also
- List of contemporary amphitheatres
