Gibson Guitars

Between 1974 and 1984, production of one of the most popular guitar brands stopped production in Michigan and the rights were sold to a company in Nashville. Now, Gibson guitars are coming home

Your mind may not be prepared for the sheer awesomeness of what it's about to witness.

The Gibson Guitar Company, which began in Kalamazoo over 100 years ago, filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday.

The Gibson Guitar Company, which got it's start in Kalamazoo over a century ago is facing the possibility of bankruptcy. The company which was founded in Kalamazoo in 1902, but moved to Tennessee in the 1980's, has fallen on hard times.

This city, formally known as Bronson has had a very rich history since first being inhabited by European fur traders in the late 18th and 19 centuries. We've come a long way as a city and a community, and there are so many things about our city that are unique and special.

From 1917 until 1984, Kalamazoo was the home of Gibson guitars with the building that still stands at 225 Parsons St. But its most notable feature is the over 70-foot tall smokestack that comes off the top of the building. Now, with the stack having to come down, local residents are coming together to "Save The Stack."

Elvis, BB King and The Rolling Stones all played a Gibson Guitar and it was made right here in Kalamazoo.