Professor helps make documentary about Grande Ballroom

Some stories are begging to be told.

For producer and director Tony D'Annunzio, the untold story of Detroit's Grande Ballroom was screaming.

D'Annunzio began working on the documentary "Louder than Love – the Grande Ballroom Story," in March 2007 as a self-funded side project.

"When I decided to do the documentary I knew it was going to be about music," said D'Annunzio, who has 20 years of film production experience. "I started digging into my past and everything came back to that early rock music.

"In my mind it all kind of originated at the Grande Ballroom."

The Grande, constructed in 1928, was opened as a rock venue by Russ Gibb, a former local radio DJ and retired Dearborn High School teacher. Gibb was inspired by San Francisco's Fillmore Theater, owned by Bill Graham.

Gibb envisioned a rock venue in Detroit for the new rock music. Bands such as Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Grateful Dead, Cream and The Doors have all played at the Grande Ballroom, which closed in 1972.

But D'Annunzio was more interested in the impact the Grande had on rock music and the story that had not yet been told.  To do so, he contacted Gibb for an interview and information.

It was through Gibb that D'Annunzio met Wayne State professor Jason Schmitt, who teamed up with D'Annunzio and quickly became the main interviewer.

"He's a great guy and an incredible communicator," D'Annunzio said about Schmitt."We not only have a working relationship, but a true friendship."

Schmitt, who has taught communications at Wayne State for two and a half years, attended Dearborn High School.  He met Gibb, who was never one of his teachers, through fellow students.

"Jason is very knowledgeable and has a great love for music," Gibb said, "He was a bright kid and he's a bright man."

A love for music shared by both D'Annunzio and Schmitt fueled the creation of "Louder than Love."

"It's all about the passion and the story," D'Annunzio said.

The pair has interviewed rock legends such as Slash, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent and Pete Townshend as well as artists like Kid Rock, Henry Rollins, BB King and Lemmy from Motorhead.

But Schmitt, who did his dissertation on Detroit rock and interviewed over 50 influential people and artists, takes away more than just the experience when he finishes an interview.

"It gives me different artillery for my classroom because I'm really interested in leadership and creativity," Schmitt said.

"I'm talking to some of the most pinnacle people on leadership and creativity, and I bring it to my class," he said.  "It's really part of my teaching."

"Louder than Love," is still in production. 
D'Annunzio hopes to premiere it near the end of summer or beginning of fall this year but said he will push back the premiere if more artists want to be interviewed.

For more information on the film, visit the "Louder than Love" facebook page or view the trailer at www.indiegogo.com/louder-than-love-The-Grande-Ballroom-story.