This past week, we lost another great player in the rock ‘n’ roll universe.
Michael Davis, original bassist for MC5, has passed away at the age of 68, after being hospitalized for liver disease.
If one had to come up with a list of bands responsible for directly inspiring the punk rock movement, MC5 would be at the top of of list, along with the Sonics, Link Wray, the Standells, and the Stooges. The MC5 lasted from from 1964 to 1972, stirring up the pot with anti-establishment lyrics, and a proto-primitive sound, starting with their first album “Kick Out the Jams,” released in 1969.
After the MC5, Davis worked with a number of bands, including Ascension with Fred Smith (also of MC5), Destroy All Monsters with Ron Asheton from the Stooges, Empty Set, and Rich Hopkins & The Luminarios.
Michael Davis also co-founded the non-profit Music is Revolution Foundation, which promotes music education in public schools.
In 2004, Michael linked up with the three surviving members of MC5, Wayne Kramer on guitar and Dennis Thompson on drums, to forge a new band known as DKT-MC5.
You can learn more about Michael Davis by visiting his blog.
http://blogmichaeldavis.blogspot.com
MC5.org is a great resource to learn more about the MC5 universe.
To celebrate Michael and MC5, here’s a clip of the band at Kulttuuritalo Helsinki Finland in 1972, performing LOUIE LOUIE, which is is this week’s LOUIE.
I think he’s in this clip… ?
Of course, if one’s going to post a YouTube clip of MC5, it’s best to also include a clip of all of the original members doing their iconic anthem – “Kick Out The Jams (Mother*****rs)”