Last Updated: December 04. 2010 1:00AM
Jim Shaw, Hamtramck
Store owner promoted Detroit rock scene
Candice Williams / The Detroit News

Hamtramck — Jim Shaw loved music so much he attended concerts as often as four or five times a week.

"He was a record collector and music collector," said his brother, Jerry Shaw. "He had a lot of knowledge about music and he'd share that with his musician friends."

Mr. Shaw, a tireless promoter of Detroit's music scene who once owned a vintage clothing store in Dearborn, died Friday, Dec. 5, 2010, after a long battle with cancer. He was 54.

Born Feb. 29, 1956, in Detroit, Mr. Shaw grew up in Detroit and attended Cody High School.

After leaving school, he worked as a truck driver transporting cars. In 1979, he and a partner opened Cinderella's Attic, a vintage clothing store on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn.

"A lot of bands would come and shop for clothing for performances and stuff like that," Jerry Shaw said. "He was really a big part of the Detroit local music scene."

Shaw and his business partner later parted ways. Cinderella's Attic is now located in Birmingham.

In February 2009, local musical acts and celebrities rallied around Shaw with a fundraiser in his honor at the Magic Stick in Detroit.

Shaw belonged to several BMW motorcycle clubs and enjoyed traveling. He'd go to New York City for concerts, Jerry Shaw said. Hamtramck Mayor Karen Majewski said she met Shaw about 10 years ago while shopping for vintage clothing at rummage sales.

"Jim was really a unique person and a mainstay in the Detroit rock 'n' roll scene," Majewski said.

Shaw married Sandra Kramer in 1998. The couple lived in Hamtramck, where he served on the planning commission for several years until his health declined.

"They're very cool, progressive folks," Majewski said of Shaw and his wife, who owns Barberella Salon in Hamtramck. "[[Shaw) was a wonderful person who made a difference in the community and made Hamtramck a better place."

In addition to his wife and brother, he is survived by his mother, Patricia Shaw; brothers Pat, Steve and Matt; sisters Lisa and Katie; and seven nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements were pending Friday.

cwilliams@detnews.com

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From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20101204/...oit-rock-scene[