| It's been a popular summer concert venue for more | | | | give the fine money as a deposit. |
| than 35 years now. The DTE Energy Music Theatre is | | | | Concert-goers attending shows at DTE Energy Music |
| a 15,274-seat amphitheater located in Clarkston, | | | | Theatre will enjoy more than $6 million in |
| Michigan. It was originally known as the Pine Knob | | | | improvements this summer. Palace Sports & |
| Music Theatre, due to its proximity to the nearby Pine | | | | Entertainment is making a variety of enhancements |
| Knob ski area and golf course, certainly within a limo or | | | | throughout the venue to provide improved amenities |
| luxury sedan ride of most Detroit suburban locations. | | | | for its guests and performers. The total represents the |
| In early 2001, the name was changed when DTE | | | | most extensive upgrade of the facility since the |
| Energy (the parent company of Detroit Edison) | | | | organization's $8 million original overhaul of the famed |
| purchased the naming rights to the amphitheater in a | | | | amphitheater when it purchased the venue prior to the |
| ten-year, $10 million deal. Despite this change, many | | | | 1991 season. |
| folks still continue to call the music concert venue, Pine | | | | The most dramatic change will be the total |
| Knob or "the knob". The amphitheater's current owners | | | | refurbishment of the venue's original main concessions |
| are Palace Sports and Entertainment (PS&E). | | | | building and its plaza, located inside the East Entrance |
| The amphitheater had its grand opening in June 1972, | | | | at the base of the hill. The structure will be totally rebuilt |
| with an Andy Williams concert. However, on June 25, | | | | to provide improved points of sale and in a style fitting |
| 1972 (a few days before Williams' appearance), there | | | | the venue's overall look. The plaza area in front of the |
| was a "pre-opening" concert featuring teen idol David | | | | L-shaped structure will feature two exciting additions: a |
| Cassidy. Since then, many of the greatest stars in | | | | 400 square foot barbeque pit area and a full-service |
| music have performed there. Chicago has appeared | | | | bar dubbed "On The Rocks" for its stone makeup and |
| at this venue almost every year since 1972, and Eddie | | | | location incorporating one of the venue's many water |
| Money typically opens the concert season each spring. | | | | features. A wider and more attractive stairway will |
| Annually, the music theater has consistently ranked | | | | improve this area's access for guests entering from |
| among the top-selling outdoor concert venues in the | | | | the West Entrance. |
| nation. | | | | Additional DTE Energy Music Theatre improvements: |
| DTE is the usual Detroit area stop for some of the | | | | - Replacing entire pavilion roof |
| biggest tours of the summer concert season, including | | | | - Renovating all restrooms |
| Ozzfest, Gigantour, Reggae Sunsplash and the Family | | | | - Refurbishing backstage area including artist dressing |
| Values Tour, and was the Detroit area stop for | | | | rooms, offices and dining room, and adding an |
| Lollapalooza (in all years it played there but one) | | | | additional loading dock/receiving area |
| before that tour signed an exclusive deal with the City | | | | - Introducing improved directional signage throughout |
| of Chicago. | | | | the grounds |
| Canadian Power-Trio Rush have regarded DTE as | | | | - Upgrading the lighting, revamping the bar area and |
| their favorite venue to play in the U.S.A. DTE Energy | | | | replacing pavers in the Starlite club |
| Music Theatre also hosts the Clarkston High School | | | | - Adding a new color scheme to be seen throughout |
| graduation ceremony, typically held at the end of May | | | | the venue, including on concessions stands, in Starlite |
| or beginning of June. | | | | club and on facade of buildings |
| Sometime in the early 2000s, the city of Clarkston | | | | - Rebuilding and moving the merchandise stand inside |
| passed an ordinance forbidding concerts or events to | | | | the East Entrance |
| last past 11:00PM. There had been complaints from | | | | - Landscaping areas along concourses and water |
| nearby residents regarding the noise from the Knob. | | | | features throughout the grounds |
| Now band(s) playing there are subject to a $5000 fine | | | | - Repaving with brick pavers in areas of the grounds |
| for going beyond the 11:00PM time limit and then | | | | - Improving point-of-sale system in concessions stands |
| charged $10000 per minute fine for every minute past | | | | and Starlite club for faster charge card and gift card |
| 11:10PM they play. Although a fair amount of bands | | | | authorizations. |
| choose to play past 11 pm anyway, typically Aerosmith | | | | |