DETROIT (WWJ) - Kid Rock is one of Detroit's most famed musicians but now, his name will come off of a restaurant at Little Caesars Arena downtown.
Ilitch Holdings on Wednesday said Kid Rock has voluntarily decided not to renew the licensing agreement for his Made In Detroit restaurant on Woodward Avenue. The agreement was up for renewal in April.
"We are in the business of amazing and inspiring our fans and guests through an incredible array of world-class sporting and live entertainment events. As our venues are open, inviting, inclusive, and respectful to all, we look forward to bringing on an exciting new concept that aligns with our community and company values," Chris Granger, Group President, Sports and Entertainment, Ilitch Holdings, said in a statement.
Following the announcement, Kid Rock issued a statement of his own, saying he appreciates everyone who visited the restaurant and that he still has love for Detroit.
"(I) learned long ago, go where you're celebrated, not tolerated. I guess the millions of dollars I pumped into that town was not enough. I will let the NAN network and others go ahead and take the wheel now. Good luck," he said on Facebook. "I may be guilty of being a loud mouth jerk at times, but trying to label me racist is a joke, and actually only does a disservice to the black community, which I have supported my entire life, by trying to alienate myself and many others."
The announcement came the same day a protest was planned outside of the restaurant in response to a drunken, profanity-laced rant Kid Rock recently made against Oprah Winfrey and others while on stage at a bar he owns in Nashville.
Sam Riddle, political director of the Michigan National Action Network, said they had planned to talk with the Ilitch organization regarding their relationship with the musician.
"It is mind boggling that the Ilitch empire continues to promote this misogynistic purveyor of racist hate during a time when the Ilitches have been the recipient of hundreds of millions dollars of corporate welfare on the back of America's poorest and Blackest city -- Detroit," Riddle said in a statement.
After video of his rant spread online, Kid Rock addressed the incident saying, in part, "I have a big mouth and drink too much sometimes, shocker! ... I am what I am, I ain't what I ain't!"
Rev. Wendell Anthony, President of Detroit Branch NAACP -- which in 2011 honored Kid Rock with its Great Expectations Award for his work with Detroit charities -- called the musician's tirade "evil and divisive," saying intoxication is no defense.
"These comments made reportedly during a state of 'obvious drunkenness' do not excuse the hurtful xenophobic and misogynistic expressions," Anthony said in a statement.
The protest is expected to go on as planned, despite the announcment.
