MC5

Forerunners of the punk movement, the MC5 established themselves as the most radical of the counter-culture groups with their album Kick Out the Jams. Hailing from Lincoln Park near Detroit, Michigan, the Motor City Five was formed in 1963 by guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, and singer Rob Tyner Smith and singer Rob Tyner, joined by bassist Michael Davis and drummer Dennis Thompson. Under the aegis of manager John Sinclair, known for his political activism as founder of the libertarian White Panther Party, the Grande Ballroom's resident band made a name for themselves with their militant happening performances, and signed to the Elektra label to release the live album Kick Out the Jams (1969), in which garage rock, hard rock, blues and psychedelic influences crossed paths with free jazz to act out the beginnings of punk. On the strength of this breakthrough at #30 on the Billboard 200 and the controversy caused by the use of the banned phrase "Kick Out the Jams, motherfuckers!" instead of "...brothers and sisters!"As soon as the MC5 had separated from their intrusive manager , they were taken over by the Atlantic label for the recording of Back in the USA (1970), a more rock'n'roll-oriented album than its predecessor by producer Jon Landau, followed by their third and final studio album, High Time (1971), a musical synthesis of the group without the expected benefits. Disbanded in 1972 after a European tour and the dismissal of Michael Davis, the MC5 paved the way for the successful careers of Wayne Kramer, who temporarily reformed two years later, and Fred Smith, while Rob Tyner performed under the band's name at the end of the decade. His death on September 18, 1991 led to a reunion concert. Fred Smith, who died on November 4, 1994, formed Sonic's Rendezvous Band and married singer Patti Smith. Returning to the stage with new musicians in 2002, the remaining trio took the name of their initials DKT/MC5, and three years later added singer Dick Manitoba (ex-The Dictators), alongside other contributors such as Evan Dando (of The Lemonheads), Marshall Crenshaw, Deniz Tek (Radio Birdman), Lisa Kekaula (The Bellrays) and Gilby Clarke (formerly of Guns N' Roses). The death of Michael Davis on February 17, 2012 was followed in 2018 by the Kick Out the Jams 50th anniversary tour led by Wayne Kramer under the title MC50, featuring Soundgarden's Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron, Fugazi's Brendan Canty, King's X's Doug Pinnick, Faith No More's Billy Gould and Don Was. While announcing a new MC5 album, Wayne Kramer died on February 2, 2024 at the age of 75. A few months later, Heavy Lifting (2024) was released, featuring veteran Dennis Thompson and guests Tom Morello, Slash, Don Was and Vernon Reid. This final album, 53 years after Back in the USA, brings the MC5 adventure to a close.

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