Famous people's places / Ann Arbor
Crisler Center
The University of Michigan's basketball arena in Ann Arbor, where John Lennon and Yoko Ono headlined a 1971 benefit rally that helped free poet John Sinclair from prison.
01 / The story of this place
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Crisler Center — known for decades as Crisler Arena — is the University of Michigan's basketball arena in Ann Arbor, built in 1967 and named for former football coach and athletic director Fritz Crisler. Designed by architect Dan Dworsky, it opened with a game against Kentucky on December 2, 1967, and was formally dedicated in February 1968. Beyond basketball, the arena became a stage for activism: on December 10, 1971, it hosted the John Sinclair Freedom Rally, a benefit concert and protest demanding the release of poet and White Panther Party co-founder John Sinclair, who was serving a ten-year sentence for giving two marijuana joints to an undercover officer. John Lennon and Yoko Ono headlined, alongside Stevie Wonder, Allen Ginsberg and Bobby Seale. Michigan's Supreme Court ordered Sinclair's release just three days later. Renamed Crisler Center after a 2012 renovation, the arena still hosts Michigan basketball and public events today.
- Built in 1967, named for coach and athletic director Fritz Crisler
- Home arena of University of Michigan basketball
- Hosted the John Sinclair Freedom Rally on December 10, 1971
- John Lennon and Yoko Ono headlined; Sinclair was freed three days later
- Renovated and renamed Crisler Center in 2012
Famous Detroiters
Famous people tied to this place 2
Lexicon entries for the people who lived, worked, performed or liked to spend time here.
- John Sinclair 1941–2024 · poet, activist, music manager, radio host
Related place
Site of the December 1971 John Sinclair Freedom Rally with John Lennon and Yoko Ono; he was freed three days later.
- Gary Grimshaw 1946–2014 · graphic artist, rock poster designer, light-show artist
Related place
Site of the December 10, 1971, John Sinclair Freedom Rally, whose famous poster he designed.
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Sources & fact check · Checked: 2026-09-25
An independently written bilingual guide. This collection is not an attendance-based ranking.
03 / Events
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