Ferndale

Concert aims to break record, boost support for U.S. auto industry

Jennifer Chambers / The Detroit News

Love for Detroit, its auto industry and the people who work in it drew a standing-room crowd to a small Ferndale café where a 240-hour concert kicked off Friday evening.

"The Assembly Line Concert," a 10-day continuous musical tribute to the auto industry, got under way just after 5 p.m. at AJ's Music Café, which is attempting to break the Guinness record for "longest concert by multiple artists."

Café owner A.J. O'Neil organized the show, which is to run through March 30, to pay tribute to American workers, products and automobiles at a time when the industry faces immense peril.

The concert is to feature at least 240 acts, performing for 240 hours nonstop.

"Detroit is in all of us. We are all Detroiters, and this marathon is for the industry that made Detroit," O'Neil said just before Motown artist and Detroit City Council member Martha Reeves opened the show with "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Each of the 10 days will highlight different aspects of the American partnership between workers, employers, politicians and the media. One day, political leaders will play 24 one-hour sets; another day, autoworkers; and another day, local Detroit bands.

Folks, both blue- and white-collar, filed in and out of the downtown cafe all evening.

Some spilled out onto the sidewalk along Nine Mile, where three 2009 American-made vehicles were on display by Chrysler, General Motors and Ford -- the Dodge Challenger RT, the Pontiac G6 GT and the Ford Flex.

Dan Carron of Berkley came by to listen to the music and show support for Detroit.

"I think things like this are a step in the right direction. I don't know if it will save the auto industry, but it can't hurt it," said Carron, a 29-year-old hotel manager.

Bill Borowicz brought his two sons, ages 5 and 10, to witnesses and experience some community activism.

"I work for the auto industry-- Chrysler -- and I know A.J. and I'm here to catch the vibe," said Borowicz, 38, of Grosse Pointe Park.

O'Neil, who opened the coffee shop in downtown Ferndale last year, has a history of bringing the community together for special events and causes.

A focus of the concert is to get listeners to sign a pledge to buy an American car the next time they shop.

The pledge can be signed in person at the cafe or online at ipromiseamerica.com.

O'Neil has invited Detroit legends Bob Seger, Kid Rock and Eminem. He hopes the trio will make surprise appearances during the event.

He has also invited President Barack Obama, along with Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who sang during O'Neil's "Danny Boy" marathon.