In 2011, Grand Rapids got called something locals absolutely hated.
A “dying city.”
The label appeared in a national Newsweek article, and a lot of people in West Michigan took it personally.
Including local filmmaker Rob Bliss.
So instead of arguing about it online…
Grand Rapids decided to make a video.
And not just any video.
A massive, city-wide LipDub involving more than 5,000 people, downtown street closures, marching bands, cheerleaders, wedding parties, kayakers, motorcycles, television crews, and even a helicopter.
All filmed in one continuous shot.
The Weird Part
The entire thing had to be perfectly timed.
One mistake?
Start over.
Football players had to hit exact marks.
Bridges had to coordinate at the right moment.
The helicopter had to lift off at the perfect time.
And somehow…
They pulled it off.
The final version took only five attempts.
Even stranger?
The song they chose was American Pie — a song famously associated with loss and “the day the music died.”
Yet somehow, the video turned it into a celebration of life, community, and local pride.
Michigan Tie-In
The Grand Rapids LipDub became one of the largest LipDub videos ever created at the time.
It drew national attention, millions of YouTube views, and praise from critics — including Roger Ebert, who reportedly called it:
“The greatest music video ever made.”
More than a decade later, people in West Michigan still remember where they were when it was released.
Final Thought
Most cities respond to criticism with press releases.
Grand Rapids responded with marching bands, flaming bridges, and a helicopter.
Honestly…
That feels very Michigan.
.
