Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #223276 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 221 pages

Synopsis
Although nobody realised it at the time, the historic importance of the MC5 is vast. Often considered a 'post-punk' band, their influence reaches far and wide, with everyone from Green Day, The White Stripes, Motorhead, Ramones, Rage Against The Machine and Bad Brains citing them. Fuelled by the radical politics of the White Panther party, the MC5 preached revolution and were often a target for the authorities. Having released three albums between 1969 and 1971, two of the band passed away and guitarist Wayne Kramer spent time behind bars for drug-related offences. Thirty years of low-key solo projects followed, before the band reunited in the new Millennium for a one-off show that turned into a full-on reunion. It details not only the seismic impact that they've had on music, but also the social climate in which they evolved.

Customer Reviews

Kickin' Out The Jams
Motor City may be burning but it pales in comparison to the fiery passion on show here in this exceptional book by author Brett Callwood.

His genuine affection for the band shines through as he takes you on an emotional journey through the highs and lows of one of the most influential bands of the century......The MC5.

From their humble beginnings in Detroit, to their all to brief daliance with fame and beyond, this author magically transports you back to the hedonistic and politically unstable days of the late 60's and early 70's.
Using key interviews with surviving members, close friends and family and the now sadly departed Rob Tyner and Fred Sonic Smith the author brings the MC5's rollercoaster story bursting through the page.

Do yourself a favour, turn the lights low, roll a fat one and disconnect the phone because once again it's 1968 and its time to .................
...."Kick Out The Jams, motherf&%$"rs".

I give you a testimonial, the MC5
A well-researched and well-written biography of the band - the author managed to interview the three remaining members of the band plus a number of people associated with them back in their hey day including Russ Gibb and John Sinclair. As a long-standing anorak fan of the band the book contained little new information but it does succeed in documenting the group's life from the very early stages, through its turbulant association with the White Panthers to its rather sad ending in Europe when only Kramer and Smith were left of the originals. Any book on the MC5 will suffer from not having any input from Tyner and Smith so what you get here is mainly the views of the rythmn section plus Wayne K. Consequently, the internal splits that developed in the group after the first LP and the influence of drugs are rather glossed over, although the author cannot be blamed for this. In conclusion, the book is a good read and will appeal to both hardcore fans - such as myself - and to those curious to learn about one of rock's more colourful and mercurial bands.

Super Sonic
Just finished this. It's brilliant. Funny and informative. And easy to read. Very highly recommended.