John Robinson was raised in Stockbridge and began his media career at age 15 playing bass guitar and singing in a local rock band. From there he went into radio after receiving his license in 1974, along with being a TV host, author (ten books published to date), columnist, actor, producer, and emcee. He's been honored as Contributor of the Year by Townsquare Media and has also received a President's Club Award. His passions are all kinds of pop culture and Michigan history.
John Robinson
You’ve Got An Uncle in the Furniture Business – and His Body is in the Trunk: Joshua Doore, 1970s
Many of us remember that catchy Joshua Doore Furniture TV jingle from the 1970s, but there was something very dark just under the surface...
Sagebrush Shorty: Ridin’ the Range One Last Time with a 50s/60s TV Hero: Detroit, Michigan
Sagebrush Shorty was one of Michigan's most popular kid TV shows in the 50s and 60s. Here's a bio and some photos...
85 Years Before the Bobbitts, Bertha Boronda Sliced off Her Husband’s Manhood
The 1993 Bobbitt story was not the first time this happened. Here's that tale along with a gallery of other unknown female criminals...
Two Golf Courses Say They Are Michigan’s First: Which is Correct?
Along with the debate, here are some great vintage photos of Michigan golfing from the 1800s to the 1950s...
A Brief Look Inside the Horace Dodge Mansion: Detroit, Michigan
Small-town boys from Niles, the Dodge boys were not accepted by the Detroit "elites". Here's a brief glimpse inside Horace Dodge's mansion...
For Those Who Have Never Visited, Here’s a Look Inside the Turner-Dodge House: Lansing , Michigan
It's been around for approximately 170 years; for those who have never visited, here's a look inside...
When Gibson Guitars Were King – Kalamazoo, Michigan: 1894-1983
Gibson guitars were what most Michigan garage band members wanted...they were worth the money. Here's a 60s look at the Kalamazoo guitar factory where it all took place...
It Looks Like a Giant Leech – but it’s Michigan’s Mostly-Uninhabited South Fox Island
Here's a look at South Fox Island: complete with lighthouses, shipwrecks, huge dunes...and solitude.
Seven Michigan Criminals That Time Forgot: 1919-1920
They never made it as big as Dillinger, Capone, or even Bonnie & Clyde...but they remain as footnotes. Here's a look at seven forgotten Michigan criminals...
This Ancient Wall is All-Natural, NOT Man-Made: Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan
It looks like it was man-made, brick-by-brick; but it's believed to be ALL-NATURAL. What do you think? Here's some info and photos...
The 1888 Stone Mansion in Alma, Michigan: Inside and Out
Now unoccupied, here's a look inside Alma's famous stone mansion, built in 1888 by lumber baron Ammi Willard Wright...
The Uninhabited Poverty Island and Deserted Lighthouse: Delta County, Michigan
It's one of Michigan's less-traveled & visited islands. Here's a look at this remote island and it's deserted lighthouse...