On this day in 2017, the Red Wings closed out their 38-year residency at Joe Louis Arena with a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Fans celebrated by hurling 35 octopuses on the ice. Also, in 1877, ragtime pianist Hughie Cannon was born in Detroit, Michigan, and gained fame in Jackson.
TRANSCRIPT
On this day in 2017, The Red Wings closed out its 38-year residency at Joe Louis Arena with a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils in front of over 20,000 fans. In appreciation, the fans hurled a reported 35 octopuses on the ice during the game – a unique Red Wings tradition which dates back to the early 1950s.
And way back in 1877, ragtime pianist Hughie Cannon was born in Detroit Michigan. But Cannon’s story was closely tied with Jackson, Michigan. There, he quickly gained a reputation as a likable and stellar ragtime pianist. The 1900 City Directory lists 75 saloons around the downtown area, so there were plenty of opportunities for Hughie to play, and to drink his wages. As Hughie was remembered in a 1960s newspaper article by one Jackson citizen: “He will be out on the street singing after the saloon is closed and probably be in jail before morning. During the night, he will write a song and the music for it. What a gift!”