The odds on favorites to make the cut in rock this election season are Journey and Pearl Jam; both 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees, as announced a few weeks ago. You can add your voice online at the Hall, and the final decision will be made in December. As of this moment, Journey is leading alll online voting.
One of the nominees is the lesser known MC5. Here are a few thoughts on this band from the Motor City…
The MC5 formed in Detroit in 1964, the original lineup began as Rob Tyner, Wayne Kramer, Fred “Sonic” Smith, Michael Davis and drummer Dennis Thompson. The ‘5’ was an incredible live act that was an example of early heavy metal. The boys also were very vocal of the positive influences both Marxism and the Black Panther parties had on them.
“Kick Out the Jams” had a very vulgar word in the first lyric, but they unapologetically rocked the house on their own terms. Rob and Fred have both died of heart attacks, while Michael died of liver failure nine years later.
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