MC5 were an American rock band founded in 1963 by guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred Smith. The band's classic line-up included Kramer, Smith, vocalist Rob Tyner, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson. At the time of Kramer's death in February 2024, the band consisted of Thompson, vocalist Brad Brooks, rhythm guitarist Stevie Salas, bassist Vicki Randle, and drummer Winston Watson (all since 2022).
History In the early 60s both Kramer and Smith led garage rock bands, but later joined as one in 1963 under the name Bounty Hunters. Consisting of Billy Vargo on guitar and Leo LeDuc on drums, with Smith playing bass. By 1964, Vargo and LeDuc were replaced by Smith and Bob Gaspar respectively. Rob Derminer auditioned for the bassist position although later became lead singer, adopting the name Rob Tyner. The bass position was filled by Patrick Burrows before Michael Davis and Dennis Thompson filled the bass and drum positions respectively.
This line-up stayed together until 1972, when Davis left. He was replaced by a quick succession of bassists (Steve Moorhouse, Derek Hughes, and Ray Craig) before disbanding in late 1972, after a disastrous New Years Eve show, by which point Ritchie Dharma had replaced Thompson who departed alongside Tyner.
Kramer reformed MC5 in 1974 with Mark Manko on rhythm guitar, Tim Schafe on bass, Bob Schultz on organ, and Frank Lowenberg on drums. This version with Kramer singing lead vocals continued until 1975, when Kramer was incarcerated until 1978.
The classic line-up of MC5 reformed in November 1992, in tribute to Rob Tyner who died on September 18, 1991. This reunion included Kramer, Smith, Davis and Thompson. In 2004, Davis, Kramer and Thompson toured under the name DKT/MC5. By 2005, the trio were joined by singer Handsome Dick Manitoba (ex-The Dictators), and rhythm guitarist Gilby Clarke (ex-Guns and Roses). This version of the band disbanded in February 2012, following the death of Davis.
Kramer reformed the band in May 2018, under the name MC50 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first single, Kick Out the Jams. He was joined by Kim Thayil (guitar) and Matt Cameron (drums) of Soundgarden, Brendan Canty (drums) of Fugazi, and Doug Pinnick (bass) of King's X, as well as Marcus Durant (vocals) and Don Was (bass). By August, the line-up included Kramer, Thayil, Canty, Durant and bassist Billy Gould (of Faith No More). The tour concluded in Christchurch, New Zealand in February 2020.
MC5 returned in 2022, now consisting of Kramer, singer Brad Brooks, drummer Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addiction), bassist Vicki Randle (Mavis Staples), and guitarist Stevie Salas (David Bowie). Perkins was soon replaced by Winston Watson. Kramer also announced a new album, which would feature many guests, including Thompson.
Kramer died in February 2024, no announcement was made on the continuation of the band. Thompson also died in May 2024, which signalled the end of MC5. The new album, Heavy Lifting, was released on October 18, 2024.
Members ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsWayne Kramerall releasesFred "Sonic" Smith all releases, except Heavy Lifting (2024)Billy Vargo1963–1964rhythm guitarnoneLeo LeDucdrums Bob Gaspar1964–1965Rob Tyner all releases, except Heavy Lifting (2024)Patrick Burrows1964–1965bass guitarnoneDennis Thompson drums all releasesMichael Davis all releases, except Heavy Lifting (2024)Steve "Annapurna" Moorhouse1972bass guitar noneDerek HughesRay Craig Ritchie Dharma drums Frank Lowenberg1974–1975Bob SchultzkeyboardsTim Schafebass guitarMark Mankorhythm guitarGilby Clarke 2005–2012Richard Manitobalead vocals Marcus Durant 2018–2020Heavy Lifting (2024) bonus editionKim Thayilrhythm guitarBrendan Cantydrums Matt CameronDoug PinnickDon Was Billy GouldVicki Randle2022–2024Heavy Lifting (2024)Brad Brookslead vocalsStevie Salasrhythm guitarStephen Perkins2022drums noneWinston Watson2022–2024Heavy Lifting (2024)
Timeline
Line-ups PeriodMembersReleases1963 Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Billy Vargo – rhythm guitar Fred Smith – bass, vocals Leo LeDuc – drumsnone 1964 Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Fred Smith – rhythm guitar, vocals Rob Tyner – bass Bob Gaspar – drums Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Fred Smith – rhythm guitar, vocals Bob Gaspar – drums Patrick Burrows – bassnone Early – December 1965 Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Fred Smith – rhythm guitar, vocals Bob Gaspar – drums Patrick Burrows – bass Rob Tyner – vocalsDecember 1965 Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Fred Smith – rhythm guitar, vocals Bob Gaspar – drums Rob Tyner – vocals Michael Davis – bass, backing vocalsDecember 1965 – February 1972 Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Fred Smith – rhythm guitar, vocals Rob Tyner – vocals Michael Davis – bass, backing vocals Dennis Thompson – drums Kick Out the Jams (1969)
Back in the USA (1970) High Time (1971) Do It (1987) Teen Age Lust (1996)
Phun City, UK (recorded 1970, released 1996) Live at the Sturgis Armoury (recorded 1968, released 1998) Are You Ready to Testify?: The Live Bootleg Anthology (2005) Live at the Grande Ballroom 68 (2006)February – March 1972 Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Fred Smith – rhythm guitar, vocals Rob Tyner – vocals Dennis Thompson – drums Steve Moorhouse – bassnone March 1972 Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Fred Smith – rhythm guitar, vocals Rob Tyner – vocals Dennis Thompson – drums Derek Hughes – bassApril – May 1972 Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Fred Smith – rhythm guitar, vocals Rob Tyner – vocals Dennis Thompson – drums Ray Craig – bassJune – November 1972 Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Fred Smith – rhythm guitar, vocals Rob Tyner – vocals Dennis Thompson – drums Derek Hughes – bassNovember – December 1972 Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Fred Smith – rhythm guitar, vocals Derek Hughes – bass Ritchie Dharma – drumsDisbanded 1972 to 19741974 – 1975 Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Mark Manko – rhythm guitar Tim Schafe – bass Frank Lowenberg – drums Bob Schultz – organnone Disbanded 1975 to 1992November 1992 Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Fred Smith – rhythm guitar, vocals Michael Davis – bass, backing vocals Dennis Thompson – drumsnone Disbanded 1992 to 2004June 2004 – January 2005 Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Michael Davis – bass, backing vocals Dennis Thompson – drumsnone January 2005 – February 2012 Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Michael Davis – bass, backing vocals Dennis Thompson – drums Gilby Clarke – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Handsome Dick Manitoba – vocalsDisbanded 2012 – 2018May – August 2018 Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Marcus Durant – vocals Kim Thayil – rhythm guitar Doug Pinnick – bass, backing vocals Don Was – bass, backing vocals Brendan Canty – drums Matt Cameron – drumsnone August 2018 – February 2020 Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Marcus Durant – vocals Kim Thayil – rhythm guitar Brendan Canty – drums Billy Gould – bass, backing vocalsMarch – April 2022 Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Brad Brooks – vocals Stevie Salas – rhythm guitar Vicki Randle – bass, backing vocals Stephen Perkins – drumsnone April 2022 – February 2024 Wayne Kramer – lead guitar, vocals Brad Brooks – vocals Stevie Salas – rhythm guitar Vicki Randle – bass, backing vocals Winston Watson – drums Heavy Lifting (2024)
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