Music
Dick Wagner
1942–2014 · guitarist, songwriter
Michigan-raised guitarist who led the Bossmen and the Frost in the Detroit rock scene, then co-wrote Alice Cooper's “Only Women Bleed” and played on Lou Reed's Rock 'n' Roll Animal.
- Born
Oelwein, Iowa- Died
Scottsdale, Arizona
aged 71- Birth name
- Richard Allen Wagner
- Also known as
- The Maestro of Rock
- Detroit years
- 1950s–early 1970s
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Born in Iowa, Wagner grew up in Michigan and graduated from high school in Waterford Township in 1961. His first band, the Bossmen, became a Detroit-area favorite and got radio play with his own songs. In the late 1960s he formed the Frost, which built a big Michigan following; the band's 1969 Grande Ballroom performance was later released as Live at the Grande Ballroom. Through producer Bob Ezrin he became a top session and touring guitarist: his twin-guitar work with Steve Hunter drove Lou Reed's Rock 'n' Roll Animal (1974), he co-wrote many Alice Cooper songs including “Only Women Bleed,” and he played on Kiss's Destroyer. He kept close ties to Michigan, recording Motor City Music in 2011 at Detroit's Harmonie Park Studios to help a friar feeding the homeless, and a yearly memorial concert in his name is held in Detroit.
Highlights
- Led the Bossmen and the Frost; Live at the Grande Ballroom 1969
- Co-wrote Alice Cooper's “Only Women Bleed” (1975)
- Guitar on Lou Reed's Rock 'n' Roll Animal (1974) and Kiss's Destroyer (1976)
- Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame (2012)
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Recorded here · 1969
Grande Ballroom
Closed · 1928–1972
The Frost's 1969 concert here was released as Live at the Grande Ballroom. The building stands empty.