Detroit Pistons Victory Parade, June 15, 1989, Tape 1

2015.008.030
detroithistoric...
U-Matic tape containing footage shot of the Detroit Pistons victory parade on June 15, 1989 in downtown Detroit. The tape covers the beginning of the parade until the arrival of third float carrying members of the team, and predominately filmed from Woodward Avenue, just south of West Larned Street.
The film opens with a shot of the temporary bridge put in place over the east side of Larned Street at Woodward Avenue for that weekend's Detroit Grand Prix. The bridge is decorated with banners and balloons. As the camera pans across the crowd gathered along Woodward Avenue, and the police and city workers preparing the parade route, the sounds of the Blue Pigs performing can be heard from the from the stage the northeast corner, amid the crowd's chants of "Bad Boys!"
After a cut, the camera rolls as a group of Detroit Police Department officers surround then carry away a bearded man from the parade route, as the Blue Pigs cover Cameo's Word Up in the background.
Following another cut, the motorcade approaches, led by police cars, and a police color guard carrying American, Michigan, and Canadian flags. The Blue Pigs begin performing Michael Jackson's Bad, but the sound is soon after drowned out by the "Sweep L.A." song, and the Mackenzie High School marching band. The marching band is followed by a Detroit Pistons tour. Behind the tour bus is another school marching band--presumably Dearborn Edsel Ford--with the initials "E.F." on their black and white uniforms. They are followed by several convertibles carrying Pistons staff, and a group of gymnasts with ribbons, and the cheerleaders of the Mid American Pompom All Star Team. Vinnie Johnson and Dennis Rodman ride behind them on a Los Angeles-themed float, decorated with palm trees, a giant box of popcorn, and film reels. As the float approaches, members of the crowd can be heard doing the dog pound chant, made popular by the Arsenio Hall Show. Behind the float, members of the Detroit 4-H Unilights Unicycle Club can be seen. When the float reaches the end of the route, the players climb off and make their way to the bridge over Larned on foot, pausing to interact with fans along the way. Dennis Rodman can be seen stopping to talk with WJBK sports reporter Eli Zaret at the foot of the bridge, as recorded on tape 2015.008.052, as well as Mayor Coleman A. Young's press secretary Bob Berg.
The camera then swing back to Woodward Avenue to capture the Spain Middle School marching band turning from Woodward Avenue onto West Larned Avenue, followed by more tour buses and cars. The camera returns to the bridge as Vinnie Johnson takes his place on the bridge to much applause.
Back to Woodward Avenue, the Cody High School marching band approaches the camera. The Cody students are followed by a small group carrying hand drums, representing the Detroit Afrikan Drum and Dance Community. The drummers are followed by a float in the shape of a roadster, carrying Fennis Dembo, John Long, Michael Williams, Pistons CEO Tom Wilson, and trainer Mike Abdenour.
The Detroit Rockin' Rollers roller skating club follows behind the roadster float. And next in the parade is a float in the shape of a pirate ship. Among this float's passengers are Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn, who both hold brooms. To the rear of this float is the Ann Arbor Trail marching band. The tape abruptly ends, with the parade continued on tape 2015.008.031.
The video is on a 3M UCA-30s U-Matic S tape with a small handwritten label on the top. The tape is housed within a black plastic latching clamshell case with a handwritten 3M label spine label across the cover.