Fred "Sonic" Smith and the beginnings of the MC5

[jetrage69]

WE DROVE AROUND FOR "MC5 HOURS" :) HAHAHA

[jetrage69]

FRED SONIC SMITH AND WAYNE KRAMER ARE THE TRUE AMERICAN ROCK N ROLLERS WHO PIONEERED PUNK ROCK FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD TO ENJOY AND COPY :)

GOD BLESS THE MC5 FOREVER !

[serverrunner]

this is bad

[MsAdesio]

very fascinating personality, such an enigmatic character in the music industry, attractive as hell, lucky Patti...

so sad that he died so young

[lurch321]

Is it just me, or does he look AND sound like Nick Cave?

[MsAdesio]

@lurch321 i think Nick Cave tries to look and sound like HIM

[the13er]

Old smack addict Wayne is over 60s, but looks like 40. No smoking?

[TheBabyboomkidof53]

the MC5 played at my girlfriends birthday party at somerset apartments clubhouse in Troy, michigan, in spring 1968. great days great times.

[hurkamur1]

@TheBabyboomkidof53 That's sweet! I live in Troy. Any photos exist from that day?

[TheBabyboomkidof53]

@hurkamur1 that I dont know...I kind of doubt it. at this point no one knew the 5 would become legends so why take photos.but my 40 year high school reunion is this fall and I'll ask around if anyone had a camara at that event. the clubhouse at somerset in those days is not where it is now. it was on dorchester in what is now the offices, theirs a pool behind it.the party was in a hall off to the left as you enter thats where the band was.we all congregated aroud the hall and pool that night.

[TheBabyboomkidof53]

@hurkamur1 you may also enjoy knowing another girlfriend of mine lived on hartwig, off rochester road just before you get to 20 mile ,near the alibi lounge. the night janis joplin, played the grande ballroom a party afterwards at her house was given by her sister who was a groupie for the 5. they attended, and so did janis.at sunrise we were still going strong! also bob seger, played at my school troy high, in winter 1969 for a school dance. he had his first album out already. troy rocked then.

[quintincollins]

Great movie, hard to get.

[nayelisantos]

Jetzt verstehe ich, Patti Smith, Fred war ein Zauber!

[dlamin8]

Lincoln Park Rocks...Know the Route 66!

[dlamin8]

Lincoln Park Rocks....We know the Route 66!

[koolbossjock]

Brothers and sisters let me see ya see your hands.lol.In the 60s when everyone was listening to the Beachboys in Redondo Bch I had the MC 5 kick out the jams album cranked up all over the Beach.They called me 10 10 10 back then,then when i moved to Detroit in 1980 I was crowned with the nick name Dr Distorto,and lord knows i earned it to.I am the loudest.Just ask Mark Farner.

[kieser78]

Wayne...speed limit is 25 in a residential area in Detroit, man...

[ybravura]

The 5 (the three survivors) refused permission to David Thomas and Laurel Legler to use their music in this movie, so Future Now Films must've lost at least a half-million (plus years of work) spent on making this film, and now here it is at YouTube for free.

So who won? That's called cutting off your nose to spite your face.

[eurorocker79]

We were lucky to have Fred Smith for the short time he was around...

he was a right fuckin' genius and I don't care who wants to argue haha!

[NuclearHendrix]

I finally found the full version of the Chuck Berry cover and it's right here on fuckin' You Tube! Search, "MC5 Helsinki 17-11-1972".

[loungelizard5000]

What is it in the air or water that made so much amazing music come out of Detroit Rock City??? Too many great bands and artists to even list. It's STILL happening. It's truly amazing.

[joshron99]

A superior video, starts slow but well worth the wait. Frere Kramer's recollections, and his down-to-earth articulateness, are much appreciated. Sonic was a terrific musical talent and what an amazing amigo, son, brother, lover, husband and dad he must have been. Like all the others, and us, too, not here long.

[SilentAlien55]

what is the song at 4:13 ???? thanks for reply

[sheriffdoodle]

Sheriff little Doodle fired a shot at you whoooooo woooooo!

[4thPOC]

This is one of the greatest clips on YouTube. Great story, well filmed, GREAT editing. Please tell me where I can watch other stuff from this project. I'm begging you. 

[ethicomm]

Kramer, Tyner and Smith: the Three Amigos or Muskateers. And now Kramer is left to describe it by himself which is kind of sad. When I see videos of the new MC5 I can't really get into it. I appreciate the effort and especially the energy of Dick Manitoba but it'll never be the same.

[krakenwave]

As was mentioned in the book 'Please Kill Me' when the po tried to pin bullshit charges on Tyner - "The thought of Rob Tyner hitting anyone was so ridiculous that we just laughed..." Respect to the Volvo-driving, afro-dude.

[jocksilver7]

Clapton is just good...Fred and Wayne were gods! ...in their own rebellious, revolutionary way. When I discovered KOTJ in the mid-70s, suddenly America made sense to me! Thank YOU guys!

[60spastlife]

The MC5... my new obsession. Took me long enough! And Wayne...awesome GTO.

[76sagi]

anyone got a link to the rest of this?

[76sagi]

anyone got a link to the rest of this?

[76sagi]

what the fuck?!?!? when is the True Testimonial DVD comin out?!?!?!?! i gotta see the rest of it

[BossGuitars]

@76sagi It most likely will never come out officially.

[robert101455]

@BossGuitars I was fortunate to see this movie at of its four showings when it played two weekend midnight showings at CINEMA VILLAGE in NYC a few years back. Whenever I think back on the film, this is what I remember: Wayne Kramer's story of Smith and Tyner getting into a fight over a philosophical difference of opinion.

A great band, a great movie, and a great shame that legal shit (thank YOU, Ms. Smith!) may prevent this film from ever seeing release.

[USERNAME0091100]

@76sagi

this is out. its been out for like ten years.

[corkbender]

Wow, really cool. Thanks for posting this.

[AndiAFC]

saw the kramer in london 4 years ago fuck this is the best rock n roll band in the world and im british i accept defeatxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[tstoakley]

iv got 2 boys learning to play guitar...i wish they...we could meet Wayne...they both think there going to be rock gods LOLIm lucky they like Real music and not R>C>RAP

[guido704u]

yea ya gotta love the attitude, total Detroit!! Detroit, a city scarier than Oakland!!

[Pantera6104]

Honestly how can you not love the MC5 Rob was amazing as a lead singer and Fred Smith was a killer guitar player and i think a good singer too i started listening to them 2 years ago first song i heard by them was Kick Out The Jams and then after that i was hooked to me they will forever have changed and made their mark on music forever long live the MC5....

[drmlabs]

Wayne Kramer is cool. Just saying

[endofsomething]

Gotta love Sonic. I am a HUGE MC5 fan and also adore Sonic's Rendezvous Band. If you haven't heard them, for fuck's sake get the City Slang compilation because it really cooks.

[PurgeNow]

what song plays in the background at the beginning of this clip

[BossGuitars]

The song is a Chuck Berry cover called "Let It Rock".

[PurgeNow]

@BossGuitars THANK YOU SO MUCH !!! Fred plays it amazingly

[PurgeNow]

@BossGuitars do you know the name of the LP where it's played ( Is it a sonic's rendezvous album ? ) Thank you so much for the reply !!!

[mrsgsnider]

I don't know if there's a full audio available, but It looks like the clip is from he Helsinki show where Fred and Wayne played, with two fill in members as the "MC5" (sadly the ending days of the MC5). There are other clips from that show are on you tube. I'm not sure why this one isn't though. I would really like to see it.

[teden20]

this is total Detroit hardcore learning lesson 101.

[mgdpounder]

Ahh good ol Route 66 haha that place always smells great

[snowfan]

We.... The ones that listened to and fucking loved the MC5..... WE were the lucky ones. Clapton had NOTHING on Fred Smith.

[MonteHoopla]

The MC5 were a huge influence on my whole life... As a kid I caught them @ Wayne State university and thought.. that what I want to do right there... and here I am... still playng...

[Evoken13]

can't stop the train, you have to let it roll on....roll on !! Sonic was the real deal....one of the greatest ever!

[MercuryJones1]

Does anyone have a dub of this avaliable? I'll pay for the postage.

[ManilaSyndicate]

( lol ) And "Kick Out the Jams" sure sounds like a hell of a fight!.

[MercuryJones1]

Where is the rest of the video of this?. There should be a whole show. It sounds like the SRB. Just the 2 guitars & him singing.

[gorblimey61]

Wow, Fred had a great voice!

[MercuryJones1]

I never subscribed to that "Clapton is God" bullshit. Fuck Clapton, Fred Smith is God!!!

[yurzappa]

I hear you. I heard about Clapton's so called "godship" much later; for me Steve Jones, Lemmy and James Williamson came first. And then later of course Mr. Smith, and with Mrs. Smith :-) But what I've heard, Clapton's autobiography (haven't read it myself) is worthwhile... nevermind!

[GreenyMcFleetwood]

well how much of his early stuff have you heard?

[HiGoNRG]

hi everybody, i duped an audio copy of "Let It Rock" featuring Sonic, from the MC5 - A True Testimonial movie, which is what's posted here. Sonic Lives!

[fastdartchester]

Any way to share with us?

[scotchpfc]

any chance to send me this???

[AndySabola11]

He sounds like Stevie Ray Vaughn singing

[BossGuitars]

I really love Fred's singing voice for this live version of Let It Rock. Anyone have a list of MC5 songs he did lead vocals on?

[S7rangl3r]

Shakin Street is probably my fave Fred song.

[RayManzarekGod]

@BossGuitars HEy man, I found an MC5 greatest hits CD, and its got one song, can't remember the title, but in parathenses it says "Sonicly Speaking" and its Fred on vocals for surel

[fastdartchester]

Anyone know how to get a hold of Let It Rock by MC5?

[scotchpfc]

I have been searching it for three weeks and I didn´t find this tune =(

[delanelea]

I've been searching for a long time as well. Such a ballsy tune. I did finally get a version live in Copenhagen 1972 (after Tyner had just quit.), on an LP called MC5 Kick Copenhagen.. I transferred it to MP3.the quality is not as good as this version though, and overall i prefer this performance, mostly due to the bootleg quality. I amy be able to send a couple people a copy if youre interested

[scotchpfc]

wow that´s great dude! I would love have this one u know, I didn´t find it even with your new info about that version live in copenhagen... can u send me it please?? thanks anyway =)

[pernicketty]

Huge thanks!

[bobfather99]

Whats the title of the song starting at :21???

[scotchpfc]

yeah does anybody know??

[scotchpfc]

hey dude I think I know the tittle: "Let It Rock" by Chuck Berry

[KOTJ44]

It's on MC5 Purity and Accuracy  (disk 1 track 16.

[genocommand]

what i wouldn't give to have that early cut of Call me animal.

[dexamyl]

Nice GTO (?) Wayne !

[pinwizz69]

Ya baby! I love it when I get ta stumble across some history about one of the bands that I dug as a teen in the 60/70s!OK now when did brother Wayne come in?

[MarvelousMarvinKurga]

that was brother Wayne tellin the story... The 3 of em started it all.

[Superjew14]

is this off of a true testimonial?

[BossGuitars]

Yes it is.

[pekoe67]

Fucking great, beautiful !

[ZRN959]

Thurston Moore reminds me of him

[marla141]

Why, because Thurston was a fan of Fred's?

[ZRN959]

the look

[marla141]

He did name Sonic YOUTH, after Fred.

[fastdartchester]

My wife used to babysit for Fred and Patti back in the 80's and said they were great folks...I'd love to have met them considering they're both idols!

[willywonka091]

that was fucking awesome! long live detroit! love live Fred Sonic Smith! and long live the fucking MC5!

[PAULLONDEN]

¥ € /-\ |-| |-|

[AmericanPunkGarage]

A true guitar great.

[delanelea]

does anyone know if this version of Sonic Smith covering Let it rock is available ANYWHERE? if they have tv footage youd think theyre'd be a recording somewhere. if not thats a shame, and it's a lso a shame a True Testamonial was never released.

[zeppelite]

Wow!!! Talk about a male version of wife Patti. A match made in heaven , RIP.

[stacyblue1980]

"Sonic" RIP xo ;P Interesting to see this. I love this kinda doc. stuff. thanx.

[Superjew14]

Impressive stuff. RIP Sonic! Long live the MC5!

[petersmorgan]

hell yeah...thats lincoln park, my hometown!

[its2pt4me]

"and we got homesick for Lincoln Park..........." Bob Seger

[BossGuitars]

Fred died of heart failure in St. Johns hospital in Detroit, November 9, 1994.

[sirlordwhitman]

What Fred die of?

[Tazz77]

Cool clip.

[neverpremeditate]

Wow this has got to be my new favorite video on youtube.

Long Live the MC5!

[1966tempest]

wow i saw a band late 70's early 80's [the poster is in a bar"the horseshoe"] called "destroy all monsters" stooges + mc 5 guys totally blew me away went the next night also, since then always listen to the 5. can't stop lookin a these vids. aslo always badboys drove pontiacs nice gto freddie

[Bustoffone]

Too cool for school. The world needs to know.

Thanks for posting.

[KOTJ44]

Is this from True Testimonial? If so how/where did you get it? Case was settled months ago but no DVD.

My old neighborhood. Fort St. and Gregory in Lincoln Park Mi. Route 66, formerly Johnny's Pioneer, formerly Golden Warrior...

MC5 4 Ever!

[marla141]

Yes, it's from True Testimonial..

[Superjew14]

is it availble on dvd or not?

[marla141]

Bootleg only.

[nasseri]

Cool stuff.