Maybe no one personifies Motor City music better than the man who named his band the Detroit Wheels. Mitch Ryder launched his career during the glory days of ‘60s rock n’ roll where he made his name with a mix of potent live performances and hit singles. And like Neil Young said, it’s better to burn out than fade away, and that’s exactly what happened to the original band as their wild two-year rocket ride from 1965 to 1967 brought them fame, but sadly no fortune, while tearing the band apart in the process. But as the cliché goes, sometimes what doesn’t kill a man just makes him stronger.

Through decades and musical trends that came and went, one thing remained consistent with Ryder, the energy he brought to the stage. And that’s been enough to keep fans coming to shows throughout the now 60+ years since he first took to the stage in 1963 as the leader of Billy Lee & the Rivieras. During a career peppered with wild moments like being the last person to perform with Otis Redding to having John Mellencamp produce his cover of a Prince song, Ryder has experienced just about it all and thankfully for us, he lived to tell about it.

Which brings us to The Roof Is On Fire about which Ryder recently expained, "This double CD was a part of my 75th birthday while on tour in Germany. Normally I would take exception in involving my age into any aspect of my life. You see, when it comes to music, age is totally irrelevant. So whether you are making music with beginners or seasoned veterans, such as I have on this compilation, the focus point is not about age but about fun and music combined. I am very familiar with most of the players on this work. Over the years, since we had our first rehearsal in a communist-run youth center in East Berlin, our integrity, power, self-respect, and accomplishment have grown unilaterally. For those fans who have been with us from the beginning, they will readily note that the music created with this group of musicians gives my early debut in West Germany a real run for its money. So sit back, listen, and enjoy an evolutionary process that I wish would go on forever."