Dennis Thompson, Last Surviving MC5 Drummer, Passes Away at 75

Dennis Thompson, fondly known as "Machine Gun," the esteemed drummer of the legendary Detroit proto-punk ensemble MC5, renowned for his rapid-fire drumming style, has passed away at the age of 75, as reported by the Detroit Free Press. He was an iconic character to the music world. Dennis Thompson, who had recently suffered a heart attack in April, was in the process of recuperation when he succumbed to his condition.

Dennis Thompson's association with MC5 dates back to 1965 when he joined the band, just a couple of years following the formation of the group by guitarist Wayne Kramer and bassist Fred "Sonic" Smith. Initially conceived to explore their shared passion for R&B, blues, and garage rock, MC5 quickly gained traction in Detroit's music scene. With relentless gigging, the band transitioned into a full-time endeavor, captivating audiences with their energetic performances, drawing crowds of over a thousand at their shows. Notably, among their early admirers was Iggy Pop, who later praised their early work as a formidable urban cover band in an interview with Mojo magazine.

As their popularity surged, MC5 released singles such as a cover of Them's "I Can Only Give You Everything," alongside their original track "One of the Guys" in 1967. The following year saw the release of another single featuring "Borderline" and "Looking at You," which quickly sold out. This propelled MC5 into an East Coast tour, where they shared stages with notable acts like Cream and the Stooges. The band's exposure to diverse audiences on tour led them to embrace leftist ideologies, aligning themselves with the White Panther Party, a politically active group cofounded by their manager, John Sinclair.

MC5 Groundbreaking Album

All these ingredients coalesced to shape their groundbreaking debut album, the iconic "Kick Out the Jams," unleashed upon the world in 1969. Captured live over two electrifying nights at Detroit's legendary Grande Ballroom, the album pulsates with the raw energy of its era. Among its gems, the title track emerges as a timeless anthem of proto-punk rebellion, while "Rocket Reducer No. 62 (Rama Lama Fa Fa Fa)" ignites with a fervor that refuses to be contained. Yet, it's in tracks like the cosmic odyssey of "Starship" and the fiery homage to resilience in "Motor City Is Burning" that the album transcends mere music, weaving a tapestry of cultural commentary amidst the backdrop of societal upheaval.

And let's not forget the controversy stirred by John Sinclair's incendiary liner notes and the rebellious declaration emblazoned across the title track: "Kick out the jams, motherfuckers!" This wasn't just an album; it was a manifesto, a sonic revolution poised to shake the very foundations of convention.

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