My number one favorite album(s) of all-time is a shared spot between kick out the jams and pet sounds. You'll get the answer to the universe if you combine such a variety, beach boys and MC5
The way you talk about the MC5, is exactly how I feel about Kate Bush. That woman has save me and nurtured me through out my entire teen life and I will forever be grateful for her and her music.
Sleater-Kinney was my favorite band from ages 16 to 40, but in the last two years Pulp has overtaken them. It took me two whole years to figure that out. 😂
Rob Tyner used to spend time at a bar across the river from Detroit in Windsor called The Embassy in the 70s he was a regular. My Aunt was a bartender there and she has nothing but good things to say about him. He was friendly, quiet, sort of shy and unassuming but always gracious with people who recognized him. Thank you Abigail for this video and all you do.
Ok, I teared up with your Grande Ballroom ending right there with you. Loved these guys since my late teens which was 45 years ago. Great to hear your takes on every LP. Keep going forever!!!!!
Abigail, your passion and love for the band, the sound, and the story of these mad men, as well as all the other mad men and women of Rock and Roll, is inspiring. Your dedication to finding all the information on the band and album is unparalleled. You are the best at what you do, I think we can all agree on this, and we're all so happy seeing you push through and succeed in your dream. You made The MC5 proud, Zappa proud, the whole fan base proud, and you made me proud. Your future is so bright, and I can't wait to see you continue going forward. You are part of the MC5 legacy, and I can't think of anyone more deserving.
I love your passion for this group, so I will give them another listen.... When Kick Out the Jams came out a friend bought it and three of us listened to it. We were immediately put off by the " Brothers and Sisters, the Revolution is Here " rhetoric that would have made the Airplane blush w shame at being so corny. When Ramblin Rose came on we were laughing so hard, because it reminded us of the "I'm a Pterodactyl " song on the Big Brother non Columbia rip off release. We never heard the other side. We played frisbee in the street til someone missed. But since then I've heard tunes on WFMU that I liked, later to find out it was MC5. You get one chance to make a first impression. I see live stuff here on UA-cam, so I'll check that out, as live was supposed to be their strength. Keep up the great work
Hey Abby! I so enjoyed your dive into Heavy Lifting video as I was one of the fortunate Detroiters who saw the MC5 on many occasions in my youth(and yes my ears are still ringing) I hope I can describe what it felt like to stand outside the building with so many other fans and yelling up to one of the windows that faced the street after seeing someone I knew leaning out yelling down to us to meet at the main stairs. It wasn't a giant place and it was always filled to capacity+. I mostly went during the Summer shows and like any other venue without AC it was always pretty claustrophobic and aromatic. The faux Middle Eastern decor was like nothing else I had ever experienced. The "dance floor" was encircled by a walkway that had large open window seating through which you could watch the show and the people on the floor. Being a seat yourself venue(no chairs, yep sit on the floor) it was always elbow to elbow once the show started. As an aside 3 of my classmates are on the front cover of the MC5's live album. Two of them were twins and the 3rd appears as a ghostly figure next to them. They were apparently heavily retouched to look that way by the record company avoid being sued by their parents. Needless to say, they were minor celebrities at our high school when the record came out. There are some very heartbreaking docs about the deteriorating state of The Grande which brought me tears so watch at your own peril. So many memories! Some of the shows: The MC5,The Who,Joe Cocker, Led Zeppelin and of course The "Psychedelic" Stooges.Just a little look back with a smile. Be good and keep up the incredible reviews. Your peeps need to have this in their trick bag.
i'm genuinely devastated over the grande. the building is still there as a national register of historic places site, but the whole thing was gutted a couple years ago :( you'd think jack white would've bought and restored it or something but i guess the church that owned it was asking for WAY too much. such a shame
Thanks Abby for keeping the Five Alive! I saw them in 1970 a couple times in Detroit, once at Tartar field. The concert is on UA-cam I was somewhere in the crowd.
@abigaildevoe I'm so happy about your passion for the MC5. It's pretty much the same i had at your age for them and the Stooges. I have been some kinda scavenger for rare r'n'r live footage since I was a teen , so I would like to ask you where the brief video with the Disney Plus watermark comes from. Still kickin' out the jams like a mofo after all these years! You are hysterical and informative. Thanks for everything.
Hi Abby. This video represents a year of VM for me. I've been a music fan for 40 years and its vids like this and people like you that remind me why. Its been an education. Thank you.
Abbie, I hope you make a pilgrimage to the Grande so you can see that mural in person. Wouldn't be surprised if whatever you do for this band's legacy goes well beyond this channel. You're young, smart, and ambitious---exactly what this band's legacy needs.
It’s hard to let go, but every great band does come to an end sooner or later. The music will always live on, the fact that people are still talking about the MC5 is a testament to their staying power.
Just started reading this MC5 book this evening and it is fascinating. Hearing them all talk about the band dynamics, especially, like Michael Davis talking about Rob Tyner's drive as a singer and Rob talking about the other band members, especially. Neat!! We need and MC5 social club or something to discuss all of the books and albums.
Wow, it's been a YEAR since you did that Mc5 special? I thoroughly enjoyed it. You did an excellent job on the research and the narration was very entertaining. I switched it on when I was at work one day and I just got lost in it. Well done.
I saw MC50 open for Alice Cooper on his 2019 UK tour and they were incredible. The whole band supporting Wayne really helped the songs live in a way that a lot of bands in similar lineup situations can’t, and it was a show I’ll never forget.
A Fred Smith Story: The MC5 were on the bill when Cream first played at the Grande Ballroom. At some point Fred walked up to Eric Clapton back stage and poking him on the chest he said; "what your band needs is a rhythm guitarists".
I was going to wait until I got all caught up after watching the Grateful Dead episode to comment but I really have to ring in on a few aspects of this video. I should probably mention that my hesitation on watching this video has to do with my lack of expertise on MC5. I found out of their existence in the ‘80’s, at which time I was highly disenchanted with the musical landscape of the era and MTV in particular. Because of this, my listening tastes continued to roll backwards in time, expanding to people from the music world long gone in the past. One thing I can say is that I have been more fascinated with MC5 fans than I was the band itself, as this fan base is very intriguing and highly compelling in their heart of hearts. That was quite evident in your emotional display toward the end of this video 😢 The major upside for me is how much I am learning about MC5 from this channel as a band that I SHOULD HAVE been paying much closer attention to over the years. As for their Rock Hall induction, to that I say congratulations to all you great fans for your loyalty finally paying off! Sadly, I don’t see it as the honor that it could be for anyone deserving or long overdue. Like MC5, Deep Purple, Yes and Rush were all inducted after the passing of founding/original members. Too little, too late, which is such a shame. Former members of King Crimson are deserving of much higher honors than a Rock Hall induction, in my opinion. Only two of them have been inducted with other bands: Bill Bruford with the aforementioned Yes and (although I am not a fan myself) after an offensively long wait for Foreigner, the late, great co-founder Ian McDonald (again, too little, too late). They probably see no point in honoring Greg Lake with ELP, as he and Keith Emerson are also no longer with us. Bad Company still has been nominated a number of times yet they keep getting denied by the Rock Hall committee, hence Boz Burrell (from Islands) remains without the honor, posthumously at that. To sum it all up, great video as always! Despite my hesitation and subsequent late arrival, I somehow knew it would be 😊
And so this jam-kicking story comes to a bittersweet end... You know, it's amazing to think about how much a band or artist means to someone and how they can shape people's lives, whether that be a modern pop star, a forgotten talent, a band who's legacy and influence went unnoticed for years, or in your case, the godfathers of punk themselves. And it's also amazing to think about how much outpouring of love and affection can happen when their idols leave this world, but at the same time, it's sad to see them have to deal with the grief and the reality that their heroes aren't around anymore, it saddens me even more to know that MC5 fans especially have had to deal with this a lot this year. I know just how much the 5 mean to you, Abby, as do the rest of your viewers, and I know how heartbreaking it must be to know that all of them are gone, but take comfort in the fact that they helped to shape you into who you are now. As I said with the Pink Moon episode, "they say you die twice, once when you stop living, and when someone says your name for the last time" and so like many other musicians, the MC5 will live on forever, through their music, and through their fans. As long as there are jams, they will be kicked for years and years to come... Great episode, Abby ❤
With the MC5, would any other kind of end be appropriate? Us (and especially Abby) left in an emotional wreck is the perfect end to the MC5. Long live the MC5!
I'm from Oakland co Michigan and you are a bigger fan of MC5 than anyone I ever knew. All my friends & I only listened to rock. And I seen them live early 70s
MC5 Heavy Lifting is a good album definitely especially for a posthumous and collaborative album with banging tracks Somehow the MC5 always brings out something special in abbey for vinyl Monday
Maybe it was one of your vinyl Monday shows on the MC5, perhaps even the epic 3 hour deep dive, someone really important and connected to the Rock and roll hall of Fame must've seen it, and your love & devotion to the band may have been the extra push that got them inducted, and that makes you & your show a very important chapter in the crazy history of the MC5, so smile Abby, and kick out the jams 🎸🎸🎸🎵🎶
Great video! I cried at the end too after I realized that the MC5 is done, sadly. I first got into the 5 when I was 20/21 years old in the 90's. I'm almost 50 now and I still feel the rush when I hear Mr. Tyner scream "Kick out the jams, motherfuckers!!" That line is not a slogan, it's a way of life. IMO "Kick Out the Jams, Motherfuckers!" is the true declaration of independence. I've been watching your videos and re-watching them for the better part of 2024. Keep up the amazing work Abby! Stay genuine Abby. Peace!
In preparation for this episode, I listen through all four other albums for the them. As a deadhead, there's something extremely fascinating about a band through the snapshot. It made me wish for bootlegs of entire tours. To see the continuum that was the MC5. Sadly, we only have these snapshots, that the cast shadows of a band. Maybe but it's the McCoy Tyner influence in the MC5 and The Grateful Dead that makes them two of my favorite bands.
You got this 62 year old crusty cynic to have hope for the youth of today. Your touching tribute made me tear up too. Their spirit is alive and well as long as there are good people like you young lady to keep the flame alive
Oh Damn now i cant get "Starship" out of my head. I only played it a millon times when i was in my late teens. After that dreadfull year, 1968, MC5 was so fu...ing great and satiating. This and your overview of Hot Rats will make me a subscriber. Thank You
I absolutely love your passion for the 5. Great video. Thx for giving my friend Brad Brooks some props for his vocals! He’s an incredible singer! You should check out his music
I feel honoured & lucky to have seen The MC5 in my birth place of London on August 5th 1972 when they were an incongruous inclusion on the bill for the 'London Rock n Roll show' featuring Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley among others.
Great review. I got into the Five, Stooges, etc, in the early Eighties in my early twenties. This music still blows my mind in my sixties. I'm not about to "outgrow" it. I'm totally stoked that people younger than me are still getting on board with these jams. Love the book, and I also agree with your review of Heavy Lifting. There are some cool tunes, but I also feel underwhelmed. Mixed feelings. Still glad it's here though.
I've watched a lot of these, Abby, and I admire both your research and your storytelling ability, but this is the first time I've wanted to reach through my phone and give you a massive hug. Much love and sorry for your loss.
Update i got my copy played it yesterday i was mixed on it i liked a few songs on it but bob ezrin did over polish the album and not surprised it dosnt have the energy if the original 3 albums again im not surprised the hip hop rock parts on the album are my least favorite thing on the album when those songs were dine i said what thr hell did i put on im glad i bought the album im always a dedicated mc5 fan i saw mc50 in Cleveland i loved it and thank god i bought the version with the mc50 live stuff i almost met wayne in Cleveland that night but it didnt happen and i cry everytime when i think of it long live the mc5 great video Abbey
I really got into the music around that era when I was a confused about everything teenager. But I never heard of MC5. I know of them now because you brought them up fairly often. Great band and something for me to learn more about. I think you should find some solace in the fact that through your energy and YT channel you are introducing more and more people, hopefully young people like yourself to MC5. That way lies true immortality. Always a great vid from you. Well done.
This is a lovely and moving tribute. The MC5 are a bit of a blind spot for me amongst late 1960's rock and roll (I'm 41, FWIW) and it is a worthy task to present what may be a blind spot for others in an illuminating way that makes those others want to check out the light you shed on the artists.
Abby got deep putting her heart on her sleeve who would have exspected anything diffrent from a young adult your writting and film style are so good explaining your self where everyone can understand no matter what some guy on the internet says your opinion really does matter thanks Abby very intertaining and well done
Your passion for MC5 music is admirable! Long live the Detroit Rock Sound including MC5, the STOOGES, the FROST, the AMBOY DUKES, the Detroit Wheels with MITCH RYDER and all the other unknown bands of these times! Thanks for your passion, Abigail!
Brought a tear to my eye when you said "It's over." and Tyner didn't even live to see home computers! A trip for me recently was seeing Wayne Kramer lecutre a college class. If you haven't seen it (which you probably have), check it out. Thanks for the re-re-recap on the 5. Very informative and much appreciated.
One day you find a band that you love and it becomes your secret place. The only place you can go where nobody else bothers you. We all sit in the dark listening to our music and we let these Gods take us away from our ordinary lives for just an hour or two. Then we go back into this world but long to move back to where they are. Can you put into words what your favourite band makes you feel. No because it’s a secret language that is only between you and them. That spirit you hang onto to because it’s going to be with you forever. If this music sparked your soul then good. The job is done.
really enjoyed the video, I think thats what i dig about your channel, like there are very few people that would say the MC5 are their favorite band. As someone that was getting into punk rock as a teen in the mid 90s, I found about them in a backwards way, I bought death tongue, and the hard stuff by wayne kramer and then jumped into the MC5 stuff. anyways what a crazy band.
Yeah to me it sounds like a Wayne Kramer solo album. If I didn't know the name on the sleeve, I would not have known it was the MC5. Thanks for the book review. Saw it in a book shop the other day and was undecided whether to buy it. I will do now. I have your MC5 T shirt. I wore it when I saw MC5 supporting Alice Cooper 2 or 3 years ago in Manchester, England.
There’s so much to protest against today, but the Magic captured on Kick Out the Jams captured a moment in time that can’t be recaptured today. Or would be nice to think a band today can be inspired by their spirit and say what needs to be said about the world today. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one
Phil Lesh recently passed. It would be cool if you did a dead album sometime soon as something of a tribute to him. Live dead would be a good one i think
Thanks for this. I was in my teens in those days but as a Bay Area kid was aware of but never listened to the MC5 until I listened to your brief history last year. Pretty impressive group and the fact that they alone were willing to play at the Chicago Convention protests gives them mucho accolades You ask who were my favorite group. Probably the Beatles but I never saw them live. Did see Jimi, twice in fact. And I'm partial to Canned Heat and the Chambers Brothers, both of which you should put in your list. But the band I saw live over a hundred times, practically once every return home, were the Grateful Dead. Just heard Phil Leash passed. Could you do one of their albums soon. Probably American Beauty which has one of Phil's masterpieces "Box of Rain" (the other was "Unbroken Chain" from the otherwise mediocre Mars Hotel album) as well as Brokendown Palace which Robert Hunter wrote to console Phil over the death of his father. Whatever you do, your series is great and brought me to recall some great music and introduced me to quite a bit I didn't know. Thanks again.
I had never heard of the MC5 here in the U.K till well into the 1980s! My first experience of them on an album was the track `Tonight` on a `Sampler` album (Which I bought 2nd hand in 1982) titled `The Age of Atlantic` from about 1970. Had the likes of `Led Zeppelin` and `Yes` on it as well. Not sure if `Tonight` is representative of the MC5, but that`s the track whoever compiled the album chose to represent them.
Considering Fred was married to Patti Smith and their kids together are still active public figures, it is really weird theres so little on him, youd think his family would like to contribute to them
it's been great seeing the smith kids posting about the RNRHOF ceremony. their son did a little clip for the HOF's social media showing off the spacesuit guitar - VERY cool! whatever happened to the sonic suit?
A fitting farewell to a once in a lifetime band. I imagine I will feel like you do Abby when Paul and Ringo pass. God I wonder if they will go before I will ?
I’m a bit heartbroken myself by the new record. It’s not the 5. But that’s ok. I wasn’t old enough to see the original band. I was lucky enough to see Rod Tyner with a band called “guitar army” at Harpos in Detroit around 1988/89. The MC5 wasn’t legendary at that point. And my small group of friends and I were looked at oddly for our worship of the Motor City Five and the Stooges. But lots of great bands at the time carried the torch; Dead Moon, Radio Birdman….After HS i attended WSU in the city. Of course, the radicalism of the 60s was mostly gone. But there were a few hints if you knew what to look for. For example, there was an amazing communist bookstore that still existed near campus in the late 80s/ early 90s. They had pictures of the 5 on the wall. Lots of books about revolution. On one winter morning in 91/92 a friend and I went to the Grande Ballroom (or what was left of it) and pushed our way into the backdoor. The entire roof was con-caved and snow was coming in through a huge hole in the ceiling. But…we could still see the stage. My buddy took a few pictures and we walked around just to soak up the vibe. We probably shouldn’t have broken into the place but it was a spiritual mission for us. Sometimes - you just have to break the rules. (I’d like to think that the boys would have supported our breaking and entering). Like you, we did see the MC50 reunion. It was great. Seeing them in Detroit at St Andrew’s Hall was great. Lots of members of different local bands coming to pay tribute. Then when Wayne passed away…that was a surprise. I even did a video on it. Although I was too young to see the original band, the MC5 was an important part of my musical and political education. I chose to see this new album as Wayne’s statement. Not the MC5. The lives shows where more than we should have expected. So I’m happy with that legacy. Let’s not be nostalgic - It’s cool to see you understand the band so well. It wasn’t just the music - it’s was the rebellion against racism, inequality and oppression. The 5 were: are a punch in eye to an economic system that leaves some many people marginalized and struggling. Great video! Now I’m off to put Babes in Arms on the turntable and call a friend to discuss radical politics. Lol. The 5 planted the seeds of revolution that will just keep coming back and growing. Cheers! Shawn.
Aww, man. Getting me all weepy eyed before work with that ending. Someone petition Jack White to get Third Man to issue that album and get Abby on those liner notes!! Tell him he's not real Detroit if he doesn't!!!!
Back in business! This episode is miles above all the Boomer classic album reviews you are probably obliged to do. Is there any way you could interview Leni Sinclair and Becky Tyler? You seem like the perfect person for that. Also, I'll eventually get to that book, but I wonder about the MC5's sexual proclivities. I recall a Motorbooty article (including photo) about them that did not cast their attitude in a very good light.
becky is quite literally my dream interview. i have so many questions i'd like to ask her: about the 5, the white panther nonsense, detroit before the riots, being a woman in that crazy world. and of course, making the clothes.
Sorry Abigail -You always make me laugh-In a good way. I respect all of the info you have about-the album or artist you are telling me about-I also love the way you get mad at a group or artist. Thank You--I'm listening to you now-a little late -I am a music teacher-most of the music today suck's- .I am a pianist. Tried to make it big-I didn't get anywhere -Brian Birch
I really want to like Heavy Lifting more than I do. I'm willing to spend more time with it to see if multiple listens bring about more rewards but it's not moving me
How is the only MC-wife not mentioned in this video Patti Smith? And, moreover, how are you wondering where your passion for MC5-ish material could go when Patti Smith's catalogue is right there and excellent? Not that you asked, but I'd start with the "Hey Joe" b/w "Piss Factory" single (which is kind of where punk started, in 1974) , the Horses LP, then Gone Again (which was dedicated to the memory of Fred Smith) and Banga.
I wasn't really looking forward to this episode; on one hand (please don't lose ALL respect for me) I'm not into the MC5, and on the other hand I was worried about how you were going to make it through. You acquitted yourself marvelously, only losing it at the end. I love that you reviewed a book as well as an album. I'm thinking that an occasional book-focused episode by itself, rather than combining it with an album review, might be a good thing. You could call it "Rock Tome Tuesday" (or Thursday; going for the alliteration here). There are so many great - and not-so-great - books about rock that you'd never run out of source material. Anyway, thanks for doing this and sharing your passion with us. Again, a week without a hint for next week, but given the special nature of this episode, I can understand its omission. Take care, and find something that makes you laugh and love.
Ahigail: ""The future is here! Right now." Me (some rando grrl on the internet): No, no, no. NOPE! The future is in the future. That's what makes it the future. By definition. We all live and deal with the present time, to the best of our abilities. Preparing our present world for a hopefully better future, utilizing what we've learned from the past. Fully aware we'll never live in the future, never experiencing it. And neither will future generations. Weird, eh? But true. Once they are born in our future, for them it'll be just the normal presence. They won't go like "Whoa, my flying car is from the future!" For them it's just a normal flying car and the only question of interest will be who makes the better flying cars, Ford or GM. While the rest of the world sneers at stupid af American sheet and flies Huawei, Porsche and Volkswagen. And here is something to think about: THE FUTURE ISN'T ANYMORE WHAT IT ONCE USED TO BE!
Ok Abby, I wanna know what you think of MY favorite MC5 song. Which... ok, it isn't an MC5 song. It's "City Slang" by Sonic's Rendezvous Band. Not the single version, though, any one of the numerous live takes. My fave is the one that was on the "Sweet Nothing" LP, but really they're all magnificent. There's a live video on UA-cam with different lyrics. But as you said, the lyrics aren't really the core of the 5. 😎 Anyway, I've loved the 5 since... well, a little bit longer than you've been alive, I'd say 😂 sometime in the mid '90s. And as much as I treasure all their records, I still think Fred managed to outdo them all. At least the once.
And as I just said to a friend of mine (who introduced me to your channel) "just watching this kid get so blown away and emotional over... well, a band that had me blown away and emotional at that age" - your MC5 videos really do embody everything good about this platform. (and yes: the 5 can still get me blown away and emotional at almost 50)
28:22 Hey, hey, hey! Emotional Rescue is a great album! Some of it is tongue-in-cheek, but nonetheless. Like me at one point, you just aren’t ready for it.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
this is my favorite band. what’s yours? comment below!
My number one favorite album(s) of all-time is a shared spot between kick out the jams and pet sounds. You'll get the answer to the universe if you combine such a variety, beach boys and MC5
Well I can’t go past the Beatles them and the beach boys. They got me through 10 months of chemotherapy.
Led Zeppelin are my Alpha and Omega, Long Live the Hammer of the Gods.❤❤❤❤
The way you talk about the MC5, is exactly how I feel about Kate Bush. That woman has save me and nurtured me through out my entire teen life and I will forever be grateful for her and her music.
Sleater-Kinney was my favorite band from ages 16 to 40, but in the last two years Pulp has overtaken them. It took me two whole years to figure that out. 😂
Find yourself a partner that loves you as much as Abby loves the MC5
That's the dream!
I was in a Detroit band called Zulu Brake Torque Society. In an Hour Detroit magazine interview Rob Tyner called us his favorite local band.
Rob Tyner used to spend time at a bar across the river from Detroit in Windsor called The Embassy in the 70s he was a regular. My Aunt was a bartender there and she has nothing but good things to say about him. He was friendly, quiet, sort of shy and unassuming but always gracious with people who recognized him. Thank you Abigail for this video and all you do.
Love Windsor! Do you know where the Embassy was?
Windsor! I have family not too far from there in Sarnia.
I love seeing and hearing your passion. Cry if you need to girl, but keep going. You are awesome.
This is what happens when you love something with your entire heart and soul. Very touching Abigail.
Ok, I teared up with your Grande Ballroom ending right there with you. Loved these guys since my late teens which was 45 years ago. Great to hear your takes on every LP. Keep going forever!!!!!
The subtle correction from tending the flames to tending the embers is one of the most emotionally impactful things I've heard ever.
Always look forward to Vinyl Monday. I agree. Long live the MC5. Wayne Kramer RIP
she's with the band
Abigail, your passion and love for the band, the sound, and the story of these mad men, as well as all the other mad men and women of Rock and Roll, is inspiring.
Your dedication to finding all the information on the band and album is unparalleled.
You are the best at what you do, I think we can all agree on this, and we're all so happy seeing you push through and succeed in your dream.
You made The MC5 proud, Zappa proud, the whole fan base proud, and you made me proud.
Your future is so bright, and I can't wait to see you continue going forward.
You are part of the MC5 legacy, and I can't think of anyone more deserving.
I love your passion for this group, so I will give them another listen.... When Kick Out the Jams came out a friend bought it and three of us listened to it. We were immediately put off by the " Brothers and Sisters, the Revolution is Here " rhetoric that would have made the Airplane blush w shame at being so corny. When Ramblin Rose came on we were laughing so hard, because it reminded us of the "I'm a Pterodactyl " song on the Big Brother non Columbia rip off release. We never heard the other side. We played frisbee in the street til someone missed. But since then I've heard tunes on WFMU that I liked, later to find out it was MC5. You get one chance to make a first impression. I see live stuff here on UA-cam, so I'll check that out, as live was supposed to be their strength. Keep up the great work
Hey Abby! I so enjoyed your dive into Heavy Lifting video as I was one of the fortunate Detroiters who saw the MC5 on many occasions in my youth(and yes my ears are still ringing) I hope I can describe what it felt like to stand outside the building with so many other fans and yelling up to one of the windows that faced the street after seeing someone I knew leaning out yelling down to us to meet at the main stairs. It wasn't a giant place and it was always filled to capacity+. I mostly went during the Summer shows and like any other venue without AC it was always pretty claustrophobic and aromatic. The faux Middle Eastern decor was like nothing else I had ever experienced. The "dance floor" was encircled by a walkway that had large open window seating through which you could watch the show and the people on the floor. Being a seat yourself venue(no chairs, yep sit on the floor) it was always elbow to elbow once the show started. As an aside 3 of my classmates are on the front cover of the MC5's live album. Two of them were twins and the 3rd appears as a ghostly figure next to them. They were apparently heavily retouched to look that way by the record company avoid being sued by their parents. Needless to say, they were minor celebrities at our high school when the record came out. There are some very heartbreaking docs about the deteriorating state of The Grande which brought me tears so watch at your own peril. So many memories! Some of the shows: The MC5,The Who,Joe Cocker, Led Zeppelin and of course The "Psychedelic" Stooges.Just a little look back with a smile. Be good and keep up the incredible reviews. Your peeps need to have this in their trick bag.
i'm genuinely devastated over the grande. the building is still there as a national register of historic places site, but the whole thing was gutted a couple years ago :( you'd think jack white would've bought and restored it or something but i guess the church that owned it was asking for WAY too much. such a shame
this goes without saying but you were so so lucky to have experienced the grande days
and we all cried
R.I.P. Phil Lesh
Broke my heart
This is why I love watching Abby, a young lady with such knowledge and passion for music 🥰
Long live the MC5! EXCELLENT VIDEO!
The bell bottoms were FIERCE!!!
and the platform SHOES!! Abigail is a Peter Max cartoon come to life!
Thanks Abby for keeping the Five Alive! I saw them in 1970 a couple times in Detroit, once at Tartar field. The concert is on UA-cam I was somewhere in the crowd.
@abigaildevoe I'm so happy about your passion for the MC5. It's pretty much the same i had at your age for them and the Stooges. I have been some kinda scavenger for rare r'n'r live footage since I was a teen , so I would like to ask you where the brief video with the Disney Plus watermark comes from. Still kickin' out the jams like a mofo after all these years! You are hysterical and informative. Thanks for everything.
Hi Abby. This video represents a year of VM for me. I've been a music fan for 40 years and its vids like this and people like you that remind me why. Its been an education. Thank you.
Abbie, I hope you make a pilgrimage to the Grande so you can see that mural in person. Wouldn't be surprised if whatever you do for this band's legacy goes well beyond this channel. You're young, smart, and ambitious---exactly what this band's legacy needs.
"But the music lives on"- Mike Davis
And always will. How many years after Kick Out the Jams and we’re still talking about this band today. That in itself that’s remarkable.
It’s hard to let go, but every great band does come to an end sooner or later. The music will always live on, the fact that people are still talking about the MC5 is a testament to their staying power.
Thank you Abagail. For remembering. In some ways, you were there
Just started reading this MC5 book this evening and it is fascinating. Hearing them all talk about the band dynamics, especially, like Michael Davis talking about Rob Tyner's drive as a singer and Rob talking about the other band members, especially. Neat!! We need and MC5 social club or something to discuss all of the books and albums.
Wow, it's been a YEAR since you did that Mc5 special? I thoroughly enjoyed it. You did an excellent job on the research and the narration was very entertaining. I switched it on when I was at work one day and I just got lost in it. Well done.
I saw MC50 open for Alice Cooper on his 2019 UK tour and they were incredible. The whole band supporting Wayne really helped the songs live in a way that a lot of bands in similar lineup situations can’t, and it was a show I’ll never forget.
A Fred Smith Story: The MC5 were on the bill when Cream first played at the Grande Ballroom. At some point Fred walked up to Eric Clapton back stage and poking him on the chest he said; "what your band needs is a rhythm guitarists".
You are such a great rock and roll poet!!
I was going to wait until I got all caught up after watching the Grateful Dead episode to comment but I really have to ring in on a few aspects of this video. I should probably mention that my hesitation on watching this video has to do with my lack of expertise on MC5. I found out of their existence in the ‘80’s, at which time I was highly disenchanted with the musical landscape of the era and MTV in particular. Because of this, my listening tastes continued to roll backwards in time, expanding to people from the music world long gone in the past. One thing I can say is that I have been more fascinated with MC5 fans than I was the band itself, as this fan base is very intriguing and highly compelling in their heart of hearts. That was quite evident in your emotional display toward the end of this video 😢 The major upside for me is how much I am learning about MC5 from this channel as a band that I SHOULD HAVE been paying much closer attention to over the years. As for their Rock Hall induction, to that I say congratulations to all you great fans for your loyalty finally paying off! Sadly, I don’t see it as the honor that it could be for anyone deserving or long overdue. Like MC5, Deep Purple, Yes and Rush were all inducted after the passing of founding/original members. Too little, too late, which is such a shame. Former members of King Crimson are deserving of much higher honors than a Rock Hall induction, in my opinion. Only two of them have been inducted with other bands: Bill Bruford with the aforementioned Yes and (although I am not a fan myself) after an offensively long wait for Foreigner, the late, great co-founder Ian McDonald (again, too little, too late). They probably see no point in honoring Greg Lake with ELP, as he and Keith Emerson are also no longer with us. Bad Company still has been nominated a number of times yet they keep getting denied by the Rock Hall committee, hence Boz Burrell (from Islands) remains without the honor, posthumously at that. To sum it all up, great video as always! Despite my hesitation and subsequent late arrival, I somehow knew it would be 😊
Gotta love”tights aren’t much better Robert!”
And so this jam-kicking story comes to a bittersweet end...
You know, it's amazing to think about how much a band or artist means to someone and how they can shape people's lives, whether that be a modern pop star, a forgotten talent, a band who's legacy and influence went unnoticed for years, or in your case, the godfathers of punk themselves.
And it's also amazing to think about how much outpouring of love and affection can happen when their idols leave this world, but at the same time, it's sad to see them have to deal with the grief and the reality that their heroes aren't around anymore, it saddens me even more to know that MC5 fans especially have had to deal with this a lot this year. I know just how much the 5 mean to you, Abby, as do the rest of your viewers, and I know how heartbreaking it must be to know that all of them are gone, but take comfort in the fact that they helped to shape you into who you are now.
As I said with the Pink Moon episode, "they say you die twice, once when you stop living, and when someone says your name for the last time" and so like many other musicians, the MC5 will live on forever, through their music, and through their fans.
As long as there are jams, they will be kicked for years and years to come...
Great episode, Abby ❤
With the MC5, would any other kind of end be appropriate? Us (and especially Abby) left in an emotional wreck is the perfect end to the MC5. Long live the MC5!
such a heartfelt video for such an incredible band, long live the MC5!
I'm from Oakland co Michigan and you are a bigger fan of MC5 than anyone I ever knew. All my friends & I only listened to rock. And I seen them live early 70s
I'm from the Flint area and have lived in Livonia for 10 years and I have to agree with you.
I LUV this video, you are such a fabulous storyteller, Abby! I luv your passion, and your sadness for the loss makes me sad too.
MC5 Heavy Lifting is a good album definitely especially for a posthumous and collaborative album with banging tracks
Somehow the MC5 always brings out something special in abbey for vinyl Monday
Maybe it was one of your vinyl Monday shows on the MC5, perhaps even the epic 3 hour deep dive, someone really important and connected to the Rock and roll hall of Fame must've seen it, and your love & devotion to the band may have been the extra push that got them inducted, and that makes you & your show a very important chapter in the crazy history of the MC5, so smile Abby, and kick out the jams 🎸🎸🎸🎵🎶
Great video! I cried at the end too after I realized that the MC5 is done, sadly. I first got into the 5 when I was 20/21 years old in the 90's. I'm almost 50 now and I still feel the rush when I hear Mr. Tyner scream "Kick out the jams, motherfuckers!!" That line is not a slogan, it's a way of life. IMO "Kick Out the Jams, Motherfuckers!" is the true declaration of independence. I've been watching your videos and re-watching them for the better part of 2024. Keep up the amazing work Abby! Stay genuine Abby. Peace!
In preparation for this episode, I listen through all four other albums for the them. As a deadhead, there's something extremely fascinating about a band through the snapshot. It made me wish for bootlegs of entire tours. To see the continuum that was the MC5. Sadly, we only have these snapshots, that the cast shadows of a band. Maybe but it's the McCoy Tyner influence in the MC5 and The Grateful Dead that makes them two of my favorite bands.
a deadhead, you say? you're going to have a blast next week
be aware you will be recommended Cornell 77 a bunch whenever you review them
You got this 62 year old crusty cynic to have hope for the youth of today. Your touching tribute made me tear up too. Their spirit is alive and well as long as there are good people like you young lady to keep the flame alive
Oh Damn now i cant get "Starship" out of my head. I only played it a millon times when i was in my late teens. After that dreadfull year, 1968, MC5 was so fu...ing great and satiating.
This and your overview of Hot Rats will make me a subscriber.
Thank You
I saw Rachel on Friends wearing your MC5 shirt!! (Season 9, Episode 18).😊
The one burning question in my head after watching the other video was "How could you not love MISS X?" and now I have an answer
i’m abby and i was wrong
I absolutely love your passion for the 5. Great video. Thx for giving my friend Brad Brooks some props for his vocals! He’s an incredible singer! You should check out his music
I feel honoured & lucky to have seen The MC5 in my birth place of London on August 5th 1972 when they were an incongruous inclusion on the bill for the 'London Rock n Roll show' featuring Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley among others.
Great review. I got into the Five, Stooges, etc, in the early Eighties in my early twenties. This music still blows my mind in my sixties. I'm not about to "outgrow" it. I'm totally stoked that people younger than me are still getting on board with these jams. Love the book, and I also agree with your review of Heavy Lifting. There are some cool tunes, but I also feel underwhelmed. Mixed feelings. Still glad it's here though.
I've watched a lot of these, Abby, and I admire both your research and your storytelling ability, but this is the first time I've wanted to reach through my phone and give you a massive hug. Much love and sorry for your loss.
Update i got my copy played it yesterday i was mixed on it i liked a few songs on it but bob ezrin did over polish the album and not surprised it dosnt have the energy if the original 3 albums again im not surprised the hip hop rock parts on the album are my least favorite thing on the album when those songs were dine i said what thr hell did i put on im glad i bought the album im always a dedicated mc5 fan i saw mc50 in Cleveland i loved it and thank god i bought the version with the mc50 live stuff i almost met wayne in Cleveland that night but it didnt happen and i cry everytime when i think of it long live the mc5 great video Abbey
I really got into the music around that era when I was a confused about everything teenager. But I never heard of MC5. I know of them now because you brought them up fairly often. Great band and something for me to learn more about. I think you should find some solace in the fact that through your energy and YT channel you are introducing more and more people, hopefully young people like yourself to MC5. That way lies true immortality.
Always a great vid from you. Well done.
do you get goosebumps every time you hear McCOY tyner's voice?????...nice video per usual.
This is a lovely and moving tribute. The MC5 are a bit of a blind spot for me amongst late 1960's rock and roll (I'm 41, FWIW) and it is a worthy task to present what may be a blind spot for others in an illuminating way that makes those others want to check out the light you shed on the artists.
Abby got deep putting her heart on her sleeve
who would have exspected anything diffrent from a young adult
your writting and film style are so good
explaining your self where everyone can understand
no matter what some guy on the internet says
your opinion really does matter
thanks Abby very intertaining and well done
Your passion for MC5 music is admirable! Long live the Detroit Rock Sound including MC5, the STOOGES, the FROST, the AMBOY DUKES, the Detroit Wheels with MITCH RYDER and all the other unknown bands of these times! Thanks for your passion, Abigail!
Brought a tear to my eye when you said "It's over." and Tyner didn't even live to see home computers! A trip for me recently was seeing Wayne Kramer lecutre a college class. If you haven't seen it (which you probably have), check it out. Thanks for the re-re-recap on the 5. Very informative and much appreciated.
next weeks episode is on my 22nd birthday!!!
One day you find a band that you love and it becomes your secret place. The only place you can go where nobody else bothers you. We all sit in the dark listening to our music and we let these Gods take us away from our ordinary lives for just an hour or two. Then we go back into this world but long to move back to where they are. Can you put into words what your favourite band makes you feel. No because it’s a secret language that is only between you and them. That spirit you hang onto to because it’s going to be with you forever. If this music sparked your soul then good. The job is done.
Thanks for a great video on a great band. I'm torn between Kick Out The Jams and Looking At You as favourite songs.
I love your energy.
really enjoyed the video, I think thats what i dig about your channel, like there are very few people that would say the MC5 are their favorite band. As someone that was getting into punk rock as a teen in the mid 90s, I found about them in a backwards way, I bought death tongue, and the hard stuff by wayne kramer and then jumped into the MC5 stuff. anyways what a crazy band.
Sometimes I think Sly Stone recorded Riot in slow motion too
considering the sheer amount of substances involved (like a whole safe of them iirc) he probably felt like he recorded it in slow motion too
I still need to get a copy of the album long live the mc5
Yeah to me it sounds like a Wayne Kramer solo album. If I didn't know the name on the sleeve, I would not have known it was the MC5. Thanks for the book review. Saw it in a book shop the other day and was undecided whether to buy it. I will do now. I have your MC5 T shirt. I wore it when I saw MC5 supporting Alice Cooper 2 or 3 years ago in Manchester, England.
There’s so much to protest against today, but the Magic captured on Kick Out the Jams captured a moment in time that can’t be recaptured today. Or would be nice to think a band today can be inspired by their spirit and say what needs to be said about the world today. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one
Is the album really that HEAVY...lift it up and lift off toward Groovesville 2024 to find out...
I enjoyed your celebration of heavy lifting. And your book review🎃🦂
Guess what song was my high school anthem by the 5? Goin to high school ra ra ra.
Phil Lesh recently passed. It would be cool if you did a dead album sometime soon as something of a tribute to him. Live dead would be a good one i think
❤ I love Beautiful Abbie 😊
Little doggie's heart also stops at you hearing Rob Tyner's voice... Sweet!
Thanks for this. I was in my teens in those days but as a Bay Area kid was aware of but never listened to the MC5 until I listened to your brief history last year. Pretty impressive group and the fact that they alone were willing to play at the Chicago Convention protests gives them mucho accolades
You ask who were my favorite group. Probably the Beatles but I never saw them live. Did see Jimi, twice in fact. And I'm partial to Canned Heat and the Chambers Brothers, both of which you should put in your list.
But the band I saw live over a hundred times, practically once every return home, were the Grateful Dead. Just heard Phil Leash passed. Could you do one of their albums soon. Probably American Beauty which has one of Phil's masterpieces "Box of Rain" (the other was "Unbroken Chain" from the otherwise mediocre Mars Hotel album) as well as Brokendown Palace which Robert Hunter wrote to console Phil over the death of his father.
Whatever you do, your series is great and brought me to recall some great music and introduced me to quite a bit I didn't know.
Thanks again.
I had never heard of the MC5 here in the U.K till well into the 1980s! My first experience of them on an album was the track `Tonight` on a `Sampler` album (Which I bought 2nd hand in 1982) titled `The Age of Atlantic` from about 1970. Had the likes of `Led Zeppelin` and `Yes` on it as well. Not sure if `Tonight` is representative of the MC5, but that`s the track whoever compiled the album chose to represent them.
Love the shirt 👕 Abby & Happy Halloween 🎃 ! 🎸
Considering Fred was married to Patti Smith and their kids together are still active public figures, it is really weird theres so little on him, youd think his family would like to contribute to them
it's been great seeing the smith kids posting about the RNRHOF ceremony. their son did a little clip for the HOF's social media showing off the spacesuit guitar - VERY cool! whatever happened to the sonic suit?
Wayne Kramer was a good guy, a friend of mine interviewed him for her public access show and he couldn’t have been nicer
You make Mondays worth it. Do you reckon you might ever do some Yoko or Nico? I'm obsessed with both of them at the moment
Thank you.
A fitting farewell to a once in a lifetime band. I imagine I will feel like you do Abby when Paul and Ringo pass. God I wonder if they will go before I will ?
Each year especially when it’s their birthday and they’re still around that’s a blessing
I’m a bit heartbroken myself by the new record. It’s not the 5. But that’s ok. I wasn’t old enough to see the original band. I was lucky enough to see Rod Tyner with a band called “guitar army” at Harpos in Detroit around 1988/89. The MC5 wasn’t legendary at that point. And my small group of friends and I were looked at oddly for our worship of the Motor City Five and the Stooges. But lots of great bands at the time carried the torch; Dead Moon, Radio Birdman….After HS i attended WSU in the city. Of course, the radicalism of the 60s was mostly gone. But there were a few hints if you knew what to look for. For example, there was an amazing communist bookstore that still existed near campus in the late 80s/ early 90s. They had pictures of the 5 on the wall. Lots of books about revolution. On one winter morning in 91/92 a friend and I went to the Grande Ballroom (or what was left of it) and pushed our way into the backdoor. The entire roof was con-caved and snow was coming in through a huge hole in the ceiling. But…we could still see the stage. My buddy took a few pictures and we walked around just to soak up the vibe. We probably shouldn’t have broken into the place but it was a spiritual mission for us. Sometimes - you just have to break the rules. (I’d like to think that the boys would have supported our breaking and entering). Like you, we did see the MC50 reunion. It was great. Seeing them in Detroit at St Andrew’s Hall was great. Lots of members of different local bands coming to pay tribute. Then when Wayne passed away…that was a surprise. I even did a video on it. Although I was too young to see the original band, the MC5 was an important part of my musical and political education. I chose to see this new album as Wayne’s statement. Not the MC5. The lives shows where more than we should have expected. So I’m happy with that legacy. Let’s not be nostalgic - It’s cool to see you understand the band so well. It wasn’t just the music - it’s was the rebellion against racism, inequality and oppression. The 5 were: are a punch in eye to an economic system that leaves some many people marginalized and struggling. Great video! Now I’m off to put Babes in Arms on the turntable and call a friend to discuss radical politics. Lol. The 5 planted the seeds of revolution that will just keep coming back and growing. Cheers! Shawn.
Who died? This opening gave me flashbacks to 2016!
Aww, man. Getting me all weepy eyed before work with that ending.
Someone petition Jack White to get Third Man to issue that album and get Abby on those liner notes!! Tell him he's not real Detroit if he doesn't!!!!
Back in business! This episode is miles above all the Boomer classic album reviews you are probably obliged to do. Is there any way you could interview Leni Sinclair and Becky Tyler? You seem like the perfect person for that. Also, I'll eventually get to that book, but I wonder about the MC5's sexual proclivities. I recall a Motorbooty article (including photo) about them that did not cast their attitude in a very good light.
becky is quite literally my dream interview. i have so many questions i'd like to ask her: about the 5, the white panther nonsense, detroit before the riots, being a woman in that crazy world. and of course, making the clothes.
@@abigaildevoe Hope you can get that interview. We're all not getting any younger. Keep up the great work.
Sorry Abigail -You always make me laugh-In a good way. I respect all of the info you have about-the album or artist you are telling me about-I also love the way you get mad at a group or artist. Thank You--I'm listening to you now-a little late -I am a music teacher-most of the music today suck's- .I am a pianist. Tried to make it big-I didn't get anywhere -Brian Birch
I really want to like Heavy Lifting more than I do. I'm willing to spend more time with it to see if multiple listens bring about more rewards but it's not moving me
Are the MC50 live tracks cool?
Really loved the show I saw.
@@greenalishi222 yes. you are so lucky you saw that lineup!
#500!
Man, wish I could stream the live album. I'm too poor to afford vinyl box sets, and I don't have a working record player anyway.
8:51 YOUR DOG IS SO CUTE
I’m glad Bob Ezrin is still working however the album turned out.
!!!!!
How is the only MC-wife not mentioned in this video Patti Smith? And, moreover, how are you wondering where your passion for MC5-ish material could go when Patti Smith's catalogue is right there and excellent? Not that you asked, but I'd start with the "Hey Joe" b/w "Piss Factory" single (which is kind of where punk started, in 1974) , the Horses LP, then Gone Again (which was dedicated to the memory of Fred Smith) and Banga.
If anyone gets commissioned to write the book on Detroit style, Abi, I think it should be you.
Standing O 👏
It's so sad that Rob Tyner died when he did, because he never saw GPS
I wasn't really looking forward to this episode; on one hand (please don't lose ALL respect for me) I'm not into the MC5, and on the other hand I was worried about how you were going to make it through. You acquitted yourself marvelously, only losing it at the end. I love that you reviewed a book as well as an album. I'm thinking that an occasional book-focused episode by itself, rather than combining it with an album review, might be a good thing. You could call it "Rock Tome Tuesday" (or Thursday; going for the alliteration here). There are so many great - and not-so-great - books about rock that you'd never run out of source material.
Anyway, thanks for doing this and sharing your passion with us. Again, a week without a hint for next week, but given the special nature of this episode, I can understand its omission. Take care, and find something that makes you laugh and love.
Murr is prob my fav
Can't Be Found, I like. But that 25 Miles sounds like a drunken Karaoke take.
Ahigail: ""The future is here! Right now."
Me (some rando grrl on the internet): No, no, no. NOPE! The future is in the future. That's what makes it the future. By definition. We all live and deal with the present time, to the best of our abilities. Preparing our present world for a hopefully better future, utilizing what we've learned from the past. Fully aware we'll never live in the future, never experiencing it.
And neither will future generations. Weird, eh? But true. Once they are born in our future, for them it'll be just the normal presence. They won't go like "Whoa, my flying car is from the future!" For them it's just a normal flying car and the only question of interest will be who makes the better flying cars, Ford or GM. While the rest of the world sneers at stupid af American sheet and flies Huawei, Porsche and Volkswagen.
And here is something to think about: THE FUTURE ISN'T ANYMORE WHAT IT ONCE USED TO BE!
Ok Abby, I wanna know what you think of MY favorite MC5 song.
Which... ok, it isn't an MC5 song. It's "City Slang" by Sonic's Rendezvous Band. Not the single version, though, any one of the numerous live takes. My fave is the one that was on the "Sweet Nothing" LP, but really they're all magnificent. There's a live video on UA-cam with different lyrics. But as you said, the lyrics aren't really the core of the 5. 😎
Anyway, I've loved the 5 since... well, a little bit longer than you've been alive, I'd say 😂 sometime in the mid '90s. And as much as I treasure all their records, I still think Fred managed to outdo them all.
At least the once.
And as I just said to a friend of mine (who introduced me to your channel) "just watching this kid get so blown away and emotional over... well, a band that had me blown away and emotional at that age" - your MC5 videos really do embody everything good about this platform.
(and yes: the 5 can still get me blown away and emotional at almost 50)
28:22 Hey, hey, hey! Emotional Rescue is a great album! Some of it is tongue-in-cheek, but nonetheless. Like me at one point, you just aren’t ready for it.