“Taboo,” a new book by R.J. King, editor of DBusiness magazine, DBusiness Daily News, Hustle and Muscle, and Detroit 500, tells the story of how local entrepreneur Nino Cutraro revolutionized the American nightclub scene.
King takes readers on a journey through Cutraro’s life, from his beginnings in Italy to becoming the mastermind behind some of the most celebrated nightclubs and restaurants in America, including Taboo, Metropolitan Music Café, La Notte, Intermezzo, Mare Mediterranean, and Bella Piatti.
Notably, “Taboo” reveals the historic moment when James Brown, “The Godfather of Soul,” and Aretha Franklin, “The Queen of Soul,” shared the stage for the first time as part of an original Cinemax (HBO) show — “Soul Sessions: James Brown and Friends” — that was filmed at Taboo and aired in May 1987.
The 128-page, full-color book sheds light on Cutraro’s pursuit of excellence in creating an ambiance that was trendy, chic, allured a star-studded clientele, and provided the epitome of nightlife experience. It includes behind-the-scenes stories revealing that some of the hottest clubs in the country were in Detroit and its suburbs. They attracted some of the biggest names in sports, movies, music, and politics.
The book also features contributions and inserts from many well-known personalities, including movie director and producer Michael Bay, local television personality Devin Scillian, and award-winning creative director James Van Fleteren.
The Detroit venues quickly gained a reputation for being the ultimate destination that drew the attention of national TV shows, reporters, and photographers. The allure was further heightened by its frequent guest list of celebrities, athletes, and personalities like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Madonna, Prince, Joe Cocker, Wilson Picket, Robert Palmer, KISS, Alice Cooper, Vanessa Williams, Stevie Wonder, Sheila E., Anita Baker, Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Mark Wahlberg, Magic Johnson, Gloria Gaynor, Grace Jones, and Jimmy Buffet, just to name a few.
According to King, Cutraro’s journey from Italy to America is a “testament to the power of determination and resilience. With only $20 in his pocket, Cutraro embarked on a journey that would ultimately lead him to be recognized as the first citizen from Grammichele, Sicily, to receive a merit for achieving the American Dream.”
“Taboo” is available for purchase ($30) at Papa Joes in Rochester and Birmingham, Mare Mediterranean and Bella Piatti in Birmingham, and online at DetroitTaboo.com or by emailing rj@rjkingpublishing.com.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from the book will be donated to Variety Children’s Charity of Detroit and the Grammichele Municipal Library in Sicily — the latter effort will be used to purchase books for Cutraro’s hometown in Italy.
Cutraro and King will be signing books exclusively from 4-8 p.m. at Mare Mediterranean (115 Wilts) in downtown Birmingham on Nov. 15. The public is welcome to attend.
