I Love Steppin Remembers Detroit Dan Back

Mar 10, 2012

By Tracey Bivens

Today is a day of reflection in the Detroit dance community. One of our pioneering dance DJs and hustle line kings of the past 40 years passed away today. Daniel "Detroit Dan” Bledsoe was 58.

Detroit Dan, as he was affectionately known, wanted the world to know that he loved music and he loved dancing. Whether it be ballrooming, bop, hustles or steppin, he respected them all. Detroit Dan was very instrumental in creating numerous hustles in the 1990s and well as being the first to introduce dance mixes like "Just in Case” by Jaheim and "Stay” by The Temptations at Club Yesterdays, Paradise and Reggie’s Moulin Rouge.

Says Michael "Sandman” Sandelin, his best friend and DJ colleague, "I want everyone to know Detroit Dan was still teaching hustle and ballroom classes because he loved to dance. If there were women who need a song to hear or needed a dance to follow…he was there. He was one of the happiest people I know and that are what I want people to remember about him.”

Detroit Dan leaves a community of family and friends to celebrate his life. Funeral arrangements are pending at this time.