It was announced earlier this year, but the MC5 were (finally) inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame a few days ago.
Anyone catch them in their prime?
The induction speech by Tom Morello is worth a watch if you can track it down.
My favorite band, and one of the most important bands in the pantheon of rock 'n' roll, although they didn't get their due until decades later (and Dennis Thompson and Wayne Kramer, the two last surviving members, died before the HoF announcement came). They were about dope, guns, and f***ing in the streets. When all the other bands cancelled, they were the only ones to play the 1968 Democratic convention, amidst the riots and tear gas. They were political subversives who were tailed by the FBI. They swore on their records and some stores wouldn't carry them. They were the hardest of rock, a forefathers to punk, but also blended free jazz, horns and all (check "Skunk (sonically speaking)").
I got turned on to them in the '80s when the cassette label ROIR put out a compilation called Babes in Arms -- we played it a ton at the record store I worked at in Seattle, Fallout. I dug in and found original copies of their three LPs, including their live debut -- a ballsy move. I bought reissues, picture discs, and later, when I could afford it, most of their original 7"s.
In 2005 they toured as MC5/DKT, which included the three surviving members (Kramer, Thompson, and Michael Davis) and they played with MArshall Crenshaw (famous 1980s one hit wonder with "Someday, someway" but a renowned studio and session guitarist) and Mudhoney's Mark Arm on vocals (Evan Dando sung a couple songs, but he sucked). They played a sold out Congress Club in Tucson, to about 250 people I am guessing, sweaty, loud, and pummeling. I set up an interview prior to the show, got all of my records autographed, and they were all super nice. before the interview, Wayne Kramer asked me what songs I wanted to hear, which I took as a test. Could I name any songs other than "Kick out the Jams?" I started listing everything I wanted to hear until he told me to stop -- I passed that test.
The next night they played in Phoenix. Through connections I had 16 free tickets, and called everyone I knew. It was a Sunday, and nobody wanted to go. I left them in my mailbox in case anyone changed their mind. They played in front of 300 or so people but this time in a venue that held 1500-2000. They still kicked ass. After the show some idiot told me it wasn't that good and he'd rather have seen No Means No. The guy I was talking to before the interruption and I laughed at him.
I still play their records all the time. Hail.
