Dick Siegel has been a regular of the Ann Arbor music scene for almost 50 years.
“Back in the 1970s, there was so much music going on in Ann Arbor. All kinds. I loved bands like the Silvertones, and all the other music of that time and place. So many of the performers were important figures on the Ann Arbor music scene of that time: Madcat, Mr B, George Bedard, the Slomovitz family, many others. There were great record stores, and you could always find some music to listen to. People would get together to play music for each other. It was really great,” recalled Siegel.
A veritable who’s-who of musical talent from Ann Arbor and beyond will honor Siegel, who’s mostly retired nowadays, at The Ark on Sunday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m.
At “Celebrating Dick Siegel and His Music,” the performers will cover a broad range of musical styles. All proceeds will be donated to The Ark.
“It’s really cool, really wonderful. It makes me very happy that it’s happening. It’ll be so interesting to see what everyone does with my songs. I hope they are really creative with them. I will mostly be listening. I probably will join everyone for the final song, which I wrote about my good friend, Jay Stielstra,” said Siegel.
Perhaps Siegel’s most well-known song is “Angelo’s,” a fan-favorite song paying homage to Ann Arbor’s beloved breakfast spot on Catherine Street (which closed in 2023), which was on his 1980 debut album called “SNAP!” He is also a member of the Detroit Music Hall of Fame. He was named in National Public Radio WDET’s list of the most important and influential musical artists in the history of Detroit.
However, his renown extends much further. Siegel’s songs have been featured on the “All Things Considered” and “Mountain Stage” shows on National Public Radio, as well as in Sing Out! Magazine. He has performed internationally, recounting a performance of “When the Sumac is On Fire” in Italy, stating, “They loved the song without understanding a single word.”
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Born in Newark, NJ, Siegel is a 1971 alumnus of the University of Michigan, where he earned his undergraduate degree in English. He has taught songwriting at his alma mater and the Interlochen Center for The Arts.
“I grew up with music in my house,” he said. “My dad played the violin in a string quartet and often had his musical friends over. He encouraged me to take up music. Music was always a part of the household and was important to my dad and became very important to me. I took piano lessons and played a number of other instruments, and ended up with mostly the guitar, but one I really connected with was drums. Somewhere along the line, I got turned on to the sound of African percussion. I have a conga drum and still like to play it. I love that drum. For me, music is the thing that makes me come together.”
“Celebrating Dick Siegel and His Music”
“Celebrating Dick Siegel and His Music” is a concert at The Ark, located at 316 S. Main St. in Ann Arbor, on Sunday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m.
General admissions tickets can be purchased at the door for $25 or online for $29 online. Reserved seating is sold out. For questions or more information, contact Barbara Schmid at (734) 657-6860 or bschmid7401@gmail.com.
