Detroit’s rich heritage lies with the men and women who’ve always called Detroit “home,” even as they went on to help shape our nation’s cultural landscape.
We cheered their accomplishments on the field, welcomed them into our lives through television and radio and were thrilled to see them perform on stage. Their championships became our championships and their hit songs formed the soundtracks of our lives.
In 2011, the Detroit Historical Society began memorializing the handprints of some of these living legends for the creation of an outdoor experience at the Detroit Historical Museum. The museum will continue adding legends to the Plaza indefinitely.
Throughout Legends Plaza are the handprints and signatures of some of the men and women who’ve helped shape the culture of our region, state, and nation, including:
- Juan Atkins, Techno Music Pioneer
- Dave Bing, NBA Hall of Fame Inductee
- George Blaha, Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Broadcaster
- Bill Bonds, Legendary Broadcaster
- Scotty Bowman, NHL Coach and Hall of Fame Inductee
- Lomas Brown, Michigan Sports Hall of Famer, NFL Player
- Alice Cooper, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee
- Carl Craig, Techno Music Artist
- Ken Daniels, Regional Emmy Award Winning Sports Broadcaster
- Ann Delisi, Radio Personality
- Joe Dumars, NBA Hall of Fame Inductee
- The Electrifying Mojo, Visionary Detroit Radio DJ
- Eddie Fowlkes, Techno Music Pioneer
- Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul
- Carmen Harlan, Award Winning Broadcaster
- Thomas Hearns, Boxing Champion
- Willie Horton, Detroit Tigers World Champion
- Gordie Howe, NHL Hall of Fame Inductee
- Mike and Marian Ilitch, Cultural Entrepreneurs
- Al Kaline, MLB Hall of Fame Inductee
- Bettye LaVette, Acclaimed Soul Singer/Songwriter
- Elmore Leonard, Award Winning Author
- Diana Lewis, Award Winning Broadcaster
- Ted Lindsay, NHL Hall of Fame Inductee
- Mickey Lolich, Detroit Tigers World Champion
- Amrye Makupson, Award Winning News Anchor
- Derrick May, Techno Music Pioneer
- Jeff Mills, Techno Music Artist
- Dick Purtan, National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame Inductee
- Sam Raimi, Noted Hollywood Director
- Martha Reeves, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee
- Barry Sanders, NFL Hall of Fame Inductee
- Kevin Saunderson, Techno Music Pioneer
- Devin Scillian, Award Winning Broadcaster
- John Sinclair, Poet and Activist
- Paul W. Smith, Award Winning Talk Radio Host
- Lily Tomlin, Emmy and Tony Award Winning Actress
- Ben Wallace, NBA Champion & Hall of Famer
- Don Was, Grammy Award Winner
- Allee Willis, Grammy Award Winning Songwriter
- Mary Wilson, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee
