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 “SET ME FREE” * Lee Alan with the Vandellas * Recorded at Motown Records (1963)

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 A   M C R F B   P O S T S C R I P T

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THE YMCA, once vibrant in popularity as it was in the greater Detroit metropolitan area, this organization has seen better years prior the 1980’s and 1990’s decades. Once scattered throughout Detroit and its surrounding suburbs, many YMCA began closing their local branches, for the most part, prior the year 2000. Many of these YMCA buildings were enormous, as these structures were intended by design for supporting temporary lodging and housing as well.

By the end of the 1970s, many of the YMCA buildings were either too old in structure or were no longer found adequately sustainable as “living” quarters. Thereby many were forced to close — due to lack of funding, high maintenance costs, and primarily due to lack of charities once sustained and supported by local communities the “Y” once had served.

Later up in years, many of the YMCA abandoned buildings were either purchased by local counties or were left vacant, only to be razed. Today, several of the former YMCA buildings left in Detroit now stand in urban blight, ruin and decay, such as the one pictured below in SW Detroit. Only a few YMCA locations exist dotting the Detroit map to date. 

AND NOW. For the REAL story behind Lee Alan’s Motown’s single, “Set Me Free,” as only Lee Alan could personally re-tell it, please GO HERE.

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