10 Facts About MC5

MC5, commonly called The MC5, is an American rock band from Lincoln Park, Michigan, formed in 1963.

MC5 was listed by VH1 as one of the most important American hard rock groups of their era.

MC5 had a promising beginning that earned them a January 1969 cover appearance in Rolling Stone and a story written by Eric Ehrmann before their debut album was released.

Origins of MC5 can be traced to the friendship between guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred Smith.

Summer MC5 toured the U S East Coast, which generated an enormous response, with the group often overshadowing the more famous acts they opened up for: McLeese writes that when opening for Big Brother and the Holding Company audiences regularly demanded multiple encores of MC5, and at a memorable series of concerts, Cream—one of the leading hard rock groups of the era—"left the stage vanquished".

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MC5 became the leading band in a burgeoning hard rock scene, serving as mentors to fellow South-Eastern Michigan bands The Stooges and The Up, and major record labels expressed an interest in the group.

Under the "guidance" of John Sinclair, MC5 were soon involved in left-wing politics: Sinclair was active with the White Panther Party and Fifth Estate.

Elektra executive Jac Holzman and producer Bruce Botnick recognized that MC5 were at their best when playing for a receptive audience.

In 2006, MC5 was voted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.

MC5 founded and led the Michael H Davis Music Is Revolution Foundation, dedicated to supporting music education programs in public schools.