Michigan Theatre Organ owner of 62 years passed away at 92.

[Gistok]

In 1955/56 Detroit's legendary Michigan Theatre sold it's massive Wurlitzer 5/34 organ to a young man named Fred Hermes of Racine WI. Well the gentleman passed away a few months ago, with the organ still in his basement.

He purchased the long silent Michigan organ, and had it reassembled into the huge basement of a house he had specially built along Lake Michigan near Racine.

He used to do organ recitals for busloads of delighted visitors to his hidden home, and became a legendary organ showman, buying parts of old theatres to replicate a miniature movie palace in his own basement.

http://archive.jsonline.com/greenshe...343229442.html

http://cinematreasures.org/blog/2010...ace-recreation

Sadly last year the local fire chief had the organ recitals shut down for fire safety concerns...
https://journaltimes.com/news/local/...d647720f2.html

And Mr. Hermes passed away at the end of April this year at age 92... RIP Fred Hermes.
https://journaltimes.com/news/local/...3875d73b8.html

I'm not sure what the plans are for the massive organ. Of all of Detroit's major theatre organs, only 2 are left. The Fox's massive 4/36 Wurlitzer [[as well as the smaller Moeller lobby organ), and the old Fisher Theatre 4/34 Wurlitzer organ now located in the Senate Theatre on Michigan Ave.

The Publix 1 Wurlitzer organs at the Capitol Theatre [[Detroit Opera House) and at the State [[Fillmore) Theatre, are now in San Francisco's Castro Theatre, and across the bay at the Oakland Paramount.

I'm not a theatre organ expert, but from what I gathered, the best sound [[due to largest organ grilles) was at the Capitol Theatre [[now Detroit Opera House).

About 3 years ago I had a discussion with local theatre expert [[and DOH Events Manager) Michael Hauser... and he stated that the Detroit Opera House would love to get a replacement historic theatre organ for that venue, although the location of the organ console could be a problem during operas.

But wouldn't it be wonderful if the old Michigan Theatre organ could return to Detroit... it's ornate console would match the Italian Renaissance spendor of the Opera House.