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About the book
is a memoir chronicling the early life and ambitious journey of Gary Rubin, a determined and passionate dreamer who carved his path into the heart of Detroit’s legendary music scene. From starting a recording studio at the age of twelve—just a year after Motown was born—to Pioneer Recording, Rubin takes readers through his groundbreaking efforts to build a record label that nurtured young local talent at the cusp of the 1960s music explosion.
Big Dreams and the Detroit Record Business
​Set against the vibrant backdrop of post-WWII Detroit, the book recalls Rubin's encounters and collaborations with iconic artists such as Glen Frey (The Eagles), Sammy Davis Jr., Diana Ross, and many others. Rubin details the cultural boom of the era, from folk music in Southfield clubs to the British Invasion’s impact on American youth. He also sheds light on the darker side of the music industry—touching on corruption, payola, drugs, and violence.
Through decades of ups and downs, the memoir becomes not only a personal story but a tribute to the dreams and struggles of countless artists. Rubin’s narrative captures the essence of a golden musical era, his role in shaping it, and the Detroit spirit that birthed stars like Madonna, Michael Jackson, Bob Seger, and Sixto Rodriguez—whose delayed fame decades later became a story of hope and perseverance.
This book is both a nostalgic look back and an inspirational reminder of how big dreams can shape lives, communities, and history.
AND THE
BIG DREAMS
DETROIT RECORD
BUSINESS
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