Flame Show Bar - Revision history

MotorCityBot: Add biography.wiki cross-references

2026-03-25T16:24:06Z

Add biography.wiki cross-references

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:24, 25 March 2026
Line 21:		Line 21:
	== Notable Residents ==		== Notable Residents ==

	While the Flame Show Bar did not have permanent “residents” in the traditional sense, it regularly hosted a constellation of notable performers who graced its stage. Billie Holiday’s appearances at the club were particularly memorable, cementing the Flame’s reputation as a venue for world-class talent<ref>{{cite web \|title=Flame Show Bar \|url=https://www.doctordetroit.net/flame-show-bar \|work=doctordetroit.net \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. Sam Cooke and Nina Simone also captivated audiences with their performances, further solidifying the club’s status as a premier destination for R&B and jazz enthusiasts.		While the Flame Show Bar did not have permanent “residents” in the traditional sense, it regularly hosted a constellation of notable performers who graced its stage. Billie Holiday’s appearances at the club were particularly memorable, cementing the Flame’s reputation as a venue for world-class talent<ref>{{cite web \|title=Flame Show Bar \|url=https://www.doctordetroit.net/flame-show-bar \|work=doctordetroit.net \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. [https://biography.wiki/a/Sam_Cooke Sam Cooke] and Nina Simone also captivated audiences with their performances, further solidifying the club’s status as a premier destination for R&B and jazz enthusiasts.

	Morris Wasserman, the owner, was a key figure associated with the Flame Show Bar. His previous experience with Club Harlem and his willingness to integrate his establishments made him a notable figure in Detroit’s entertainment history. Wasserman’s business acumen and his appreciation for Black music were instrumental in the club’s success. The club also provided a launching pad for local Detroit talent, such as Beans Bowles, who gained recognition through his performances there<ref>{{cite web \|title=Flame Show Bar \|url=https://www.doctordetroit.net/flame-show-bar \|work=doctordetroit.net \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. The presence of these individuals, both performers and the owner, contributed to the Flame Show Bar’s lasting legacy.		Morris Wasserman, the owner, was a key figure associated with the Flame Show Bar. His previous experience with Club Harlem and his willingness to integrate his establishments made him a notable figure in Detroit’s entertainment history. Wasserman’s business acumen and his appreciation for Black music were instrumental in the club’s success. The club also provided a launching pad for local Detroit talent, such as Beans Bowles, who gained recognition through his performances there<ref>{{cite web \|title=Flame Show Bar \|url=https://www.doctordetroit.net/flame-show-bar \|work=doctordetroit.net \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. The presence of these individuals, both performers and the owner, contributed to the Flame Show Bar’s lasting legacy.

MotorCityBot: Add biography.wiki cross-reference links

2026-03-25T15:49:12Z

Add biography.wiki cross-reference links

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:49, 25 March 2026
Line 15:		Line 15:
	== Culture ==		== Culture ==

	The Flame Show Bar was renowned for its sophisticated musical offerings, featuring a “sharp band” and a rotating lineup of talented singers<ref>{{cite web \|title=Flame Show Bar \|url=https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/flame-show-bar \|work=historicdetroit.org \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. The club hosted a diverse range of jazz and R&B artists, including iconic figures such as Billie Holiday, Sam Cooke, Nina Simone, Ray Charles, Etta James, T-Bone Walker, Dinah Washington, B.B. King, Alberta Adams, and Muddy Waters<ref>{{cite web \|title=Flame Show Bar \|url=https://www.doctordetroit.net/flame-show-bar \|work=doctordetroit.net \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. Performances typically consisted of one-hour floor shows presented three or four times each night. The club’s commitment to showcasing high-quality musical talent contributed to its reputation as a premier entertainment destination.		The Flame Show Bar was renowned for its sophisticated musical offerings, featuring a “sharp band” and a rotating lineup of talented singers<ref>{{cite web \|title=Flame Show Bar \|url=https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/flame-show-bar \|work=historicdetroit.org \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. The club hosted a diverse range of jazz and R&B artists, including iconic figures such as Billie Holiday, [https://biography.wiki/s/Sam_Cooke Sam Cooke], Nina Simone, Ray Charles, Etta James, T-Bone Walker, Dinah Washington, B.B. King, Alberta Adams, and Muddy Waters<ref>{{cite web \|title=Flame Show Bar \|url=https://www.doctordetroit.net/flame-show-bar \|work=doctordetroit.net \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. Performances typically consisted of one-hour floor shows presented three or four times each night. The club’s commitment to showcasing high-quality musical talent contributed to its reputation as a premier entertainment destination.

	Beyond its musical programming, the Flame Show Bar played a crucial role in the development of the Detroit music scene. It provided a platform for emerging artists, including Detroit saxophonist Beans Bowles, and helped launch the careers of Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famers Jackie Wilson and LaVern Baker<ref>{{cite web \|title=Flame Show Bar \|url=https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/flame-show-bar \|work=historicdetroit.org \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. The club also served as an important meeting place for individuals involved in the early stages of the Motown Records empire, helping to lay the groundwork for the label’s future success. The integrated nature of the club, unusual for the time, fostered a unique cultural exchange and challenged prevailing social norms.		Beyond its musical programming, the Flame Show Bar played a crucial role in the development of the Detroit music scene. It provided a platform for emerging artists, including Detroit saxophonist Beans Bowles, and helped launch the careers of Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famers Jackie Wilson and LaVern Baker<ref>{{cite web \|title=Flame Show Bar \|url=https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/flame-show-bar \|work=historicdetroit.org \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. The club also served as an important meeting place for individuals involved in the early stages of the Motown Records empire, helping to lay the groundwork for the label’s future success. The integrated nature of the club, unusual for the time, fostered a unique cultural exchange and challenged prevailing social norms.

MotorCityBot: Bot: B article — Detroit.Wiki

2026-03-20T06:05:33Z

Bot: B article — Detroit.Wiki

New page

The Flame Show Bar, operating from 1949, was a significant Detroit nightclub that hosted many of the most prominent jazz and R&B performers of its era, and played a role in the early development of the city’s burgeoning music scene<ref>{{cite web |title=Flame Show Bar |url=https://www.doctordetroit.net/flame-show-bar |work=doctordetroit.net |access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. Located just outside of the historic Paradise Valley neighborhood, the club became known for its integrated atmosphere and its owner’s commitment to showcasing Black musical talent. The Flame Show Bar’s influence extended beyond entertainment, contributing to the cultural and economic life of Detroit’s Black community and providing a platform for future music industry leaders.

== History ==

Morris Wasserman opened the Flame Show Bar in June of 1949 at 4264 John R. Street, near Canfield Avenue<ref>{{cite web |title=The legendary Flame Show Bar opened 66 years ago today |url=https://www.metrotimes.com/music-2/the-legendary-flame-show-bar-opened-66-years-ago-today-2352512/ |work=metrotimes.com |access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. Wasserman was already a veteran of the Detroit nightclub scene, having previously owned Club Harlem in the 1930s<ref>{{cite web |title=Flame Show Bar |url=https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/flame-show-bar |work=historicdetroit.org |access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. He secured permits for the building in January 1948, initially planning a biergarten and storefronts, but revised the plans to include a “public establishment” that would become the Flame<ref>{{cite web |title=Flame Show Bar |url=https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/flame-show-bar |work=historicdetroit.org |access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. The initial investment in the development was approximately $75,000, which equates to roughly $1 million in 2025 when adjusted for inflation.

Wasserman’s previous venture, Club Harlem, operated for only a year, but demonstrated his willingness to challenge racial norms by creating an integrated space during a time of widespread segregation<ref>{{cite web |title=Flame Show Bar |url=https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/flame-show-bar |work=historicdetroit.org |access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. The Flame Show Bar continued this tradition, becoming known as a “black and tan” club, welcoming both Black and white patrons. This was particularly significant given the context of the era, even within the Midwest, where segregation remained prevalent. Wasserman, the son of a wealthy Detroit developer, Julius Wasserman, had developed an appreciation for Black music through his ownership of Wasserman’s Loans, a pawnshop located in Detroit’s Black Bottom neighborhood<ref>{{cite web |title=Flame Show Bar |url=https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/flame-show-bar |work=historicdetroit.org |access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>.

== Geography ==

The Flame Show Bar was strategically located in the Sugar Hill neighborhood, on the southeast corner of John R. and East Canfield streets<ref>{{cite web |title=Flame Show Bar |url=https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/flame-show-bar |work=historicdetroit.org |access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. This location was just outside of Paradise Valley, a vibrant and thriving Black neighborhood known for its numerous clubs and Black-owned businesses. John R. Street, often referred to as “the Street of Music” by the Black press, became a central hub for entertainment in the city, and the Flame Show Bar quickly established itself as among the most prominent venues along this corridor. The proximity to Paradise Valley ensured a steady stream of patrons and contributed to the club’s lively atmosphere.

The Sugar Hill neighborhood itself was a significant area within Detroit’s Black community, offering a degree of economic and social independence. The Flame Show Bar’s location within Sugar Hill allowed it to benefit from the neighborhood’s existing infrastructure and cultural vibrancy. The club’s presence further enhanced the area’s reputation as a destination for entertainment and nightlife. The building itself featured a 100-foot bar and could accommodate 250 patrons<ref>{{cite web |title=Flame Show Bar |url=https://www.doctordetroit.net/flame-show-bar |work=doctordetroit.net |access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>, making it a substantial venue capable of hosting large crowds and prominent performers.

== Culture ==

The Flame Show Bar was renowned for its sophisticated musical offerings, featuring a “sharp band” and a rotating lineup of talented singers<ref>{{cite web |title=Flame Show Bar |url=https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/flame-show-bar |work=historicdetroit.org |access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. The club hosted a diverse range of jazz and R&B artists, including iconic figures such as Billie Holiday, Sam Cooke, Nina Simone, Ray Charles, Etta James, T-Bone Walker, Dinah Washington, B.B. King, Alberta Adams, and Muddy Waters<ref>{{cite web |title=Flame Show Bar |url=https://www.doctordetroit.net/flame-show-bar |work=doctordetroit.net |access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. Performances typically consisted of one-hour floor shows presented three or four times each night. The club’s commitment to showcasing high-quality musical talent contributed to its reputation as a premier entertainment destination.

Beyond its musical programming, the Flame Show Bar played a crucial role in the development of the Detroit music scene. It provided a platform for emerging artists, including Detroit saxophonist Beans Bowles, and helped launch the careers of Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famers Jackie Wilson and LaVern Baker<ref>{{cite web |title=Flame Show Bar |url=https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/flame-show-bar |work=historicdetroit.org |access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. The club also served as an important meeting place for individuals involved in the early stages of the Motown Records empire, helping to lay the groundwork for the label’s future success. The integrated nature of the club, unusual for the time, fostered a unique cultural exchange and challenged prevailing social norms.

== Notable Residents ==

While the Flame Show Bar did not have permanent “residents” in the traditional sense, it regularly hosted a constellation of notable performers who graced its stage. Billie Holiday’s appearances at the club were particularly memorable, cementing the Flame’s reputation as a venue for world-class talent<ref>{{cite web |title=Flame Show Bar |url=https://www.doctordetroit.net/flame-show-bar |work=doctordetroit.net |access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. Sam Cooke and Nina Simone also captivated audiences with their performances, further solidifying the club’s status as a premier destination for R&B and jazz enthusiasts.

Morris Wasserman, the owner, was a key figure associated with the Flame Show Bar. His previous experience with Club Harlem and his willingness to integrate his establishments made him a notable figure in Detroit’s entertainment history. Wasserman’s business acumen and his appreciation for Black music were instrumental in the club’s success. The club also provided a launching pad for local Detroit talent, such as Beans Bowles, who gained recognition through his performances there<ref>{{cite web |title=Flame Show Bar |url=https://www.doctordetroit.net/flame-show-bar |work=doctordetroit.net |access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>. The presence of these individuals, both performers and the owner, contributed to the Flame Show Bar’s lasting legacy.

== See Also ==

[[Paradise Valley]]
[[Music of Detroit]]
[[Black Bottom, Detroit]]

{{#seo: |title=Flame Show Bar — History, Facts & Guide | Detroit.Wiki |description=Explore the history of the Flame Show Bar in Detroit, a legendary jazz and R&B venue that hosted iconic performers and shaped the city's music scene. |type=Article }}

[[Category:Detroit history]]
[[Category:Music venues]]