I don’t want to start any scuffles here as both Berlin ^[1] and Detroit (plus Chicago house, the UK and others) have influenced the techno music scene. But I was more than a bit surprised to read Metroblogging Berlin’s gift post today ^[2], which claims “…electronic music and especially Techno music are a very German thing and lots of it was developed in Berlin.”

Not that techno isn’t popular in Berlin, but come on; no mention of Detroit’s ‘Belleville Three’ – Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson? Nope. No mention of Detroit Techno? Nada. Nothing about Detroit’s electronic music festival? Nil. In fact, the only mention of Detroit in the entire post is this:

“During the 90’s Techno also grew in Detroit, but Berlin’s music scene and especially Tresor Club are said to be the most influencial for its development.”

Huh?

Sorry, Berlin, but I’ve got to defend Detroit on this one. Visit Reference.com ^[3], Wikipedia ^[4], the DHM exhibit entitled, “Techno: Detroit’s Gift to the World ^[5]“, and many other spots, and I’m sure you’ll see: Detroit is the reason techno exists.

What do you think techno-fiends? Did Detroit have any influence on techno?