John Sinclair on the MC5 & Detroit Rock 'n Roll: Stay Alive with the MC5 - Kick out the Jams!

John Sinclair on his experience managing the MC5 "MC 6th" | Detroit and Kicking out the Jams!
Ann Arbor, MI. August 17, 2013 -- The MC 6th: John Sinclair:
For a time, as MC5 manager, John Sinclair was essentially the MC 6th. He jumped in and shaped the bands future for better or worse. Politics were the ultimate disintegrator of the MC5 band.
John was an avid jazz aficionado.
MC5 drummer Thompson blames his deep dive into jazz drumming on John's extensive jazz record collection.
John shares surprising revelations about his time in jail and the band. John describes his ups and downs with the MC5, the Lennon Concert and jail time.
MC5 drummer Dennis Thompson gives us his take on the Grande Ballroom days and working with Sinclair in an upcoming interview. Its release date is planned for June 1, 2020.
Dennis's story seems to be bitter sweet regarding John's mentorship of the band. From the controversial Kick out the Jams Album "liner notes," to the albums release without the band's OK... The MC5 were caught in a whirlwind of fame, fortune and glory.
This interview with John Sinclair was recorded in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2012.
For much more on the MC5 and LIVE MC5 music go to unitedearthfund.org and click the Rock Doc tab.
- Editor UEF
Special thanks to Philip Rachford.
Washtenaw Community College Digital Video
and volunteer student production team.

[@stephensylvester1398]

I met John at the White Panthers Hill St. house in Ann Arbor. I was just a kid, but he talked to me, and listened. A really great man. He was an inspiration to me, and was responsible for my lifelong activism.

[@johnssiroid4439]

I remember seeing MC5 at the Crows Nest. Before they went on , people were yelling at folks around the front of the stage to sit down. But the 5 told everyone to stand up. Sitting down at an MC5 concert is a crime against the natural order of the universe.

[@robertcubinelli4961]

Great video. MC5 are the real thing !!!!!

[@aturogs1954]

Stories like these makes things so much more clearly interesting but a bit awfully sad. My deepest respect to the man and the band, one of my favorites since high school in the 60's. He is the John Sinclair the Yippie leader Abbie Hoffman interrupted The Who's set at Woodstock about. RIP and to the other members who have passed on. Thank you for the music. KICK OUT THE JAMS, BROTHERS AND SISTERS! (This was what was available, censored in my country at the time)

[@kenbranaugh8251]

I grew up in Ann arbor . F' ing awesome

[@detroitdabber313]

Rest in Power John✊

[@ronnie5129]

R.I.P. JOHN, YOU WERE A BIG PART IN DETROIT MUSIC, 10 FOR 2,, JOHN LENNON, R.I.P., DID A CONCERT FOR JOHN TO GET HIM OUT OF PRISON FOR 2 JOINTS, IT WORKED, 4 OF THE MC5 WENT TO MY HIGH SCHOOL, IN LIKCOLN PARK, COUSIN FIGEL

[@chuckmenosky5106]

John is still alive...

[@deepsouthbass]

Thanks for the memories! -A Downriver Rat.

[@kenneththompson8933]

We need the likes of a John Sinclair today. A civil rights activist & firebrand orator.

[@JDC352]

Sit down.

[@E.C.2]

He's a communist old man.

[@PAULLONDEN]

*@Kenneth Thompson* ... Firebrands enough. We need those who have the guts to start an independent political party , who won't walk the Military Industrial Complex party line like the two allowed political parties do . Even silly Donald had to go under the Reps flag , who he damned almost as much as the Dems .

[@E.C.2]

@@PAULLONDEN I liked Donald Trump especially towards the end before the communist coup.

[@vincesarmento4854]

You should hear the other side of things!

[@rogerfournier3284]

"I ALWAYS THINK THAT MICHIGAN ROCK BANDS ARE THE BEST"STILL DO!"

[@evanabbott2737]

There’s just always been something about Detroit...it produces the best, totally unique, straight up, ROCK AND ROLL bands of ALL time👍. (I’m a lifelong Royal Oak native, I’m a little biased, but you can’t deny the Rock that comes out of the motor city😁)

[@donaldfeger91]

Thanks màn!

[@evanabbott2737]

About 7 years ago, I used to work at a supermarket in the deli in downtown Royal Oak. I’m pretty sure John Sinclair was a regular customer, I think I recognize his face. It wasn’t until I got another job and learned more about the legendary MC5, that I saw a recent photo of John, which made me go, “wait...he looks so familiar...! Wasn’t he a regular customer? I know that guy..!” I could be totally wrong, too...😂

[@vincesarmento4854]

Did he steal anything?

[@phantompanther648]

Did you record The Up....?

[@PeterMayer]

Drew Abbott lived across from my junior high.

[@E.C.2]

We in 2020 literally have f-ing in the Streets.Happy John?

[@chrisghiardi117]

Sinclair is patron saint of the change in cannabis laws. As noted at 2022 Hash Fest in A2.

[@The85Pro]

This message, respectfully, is for Allen Licari... I presume, if you are the guy doing interviews who recorded the First Unitarian show. I Was wondering, from actually listening to one of the CDs from the ‘90s... now, “Starship” was a song recorded at the church gig, right? Because, for all the world, that “bootleg” version sounds like it’s what was used for the Elektra LP, although sped up in many places... and various vocal overdubs, although apart from some feedback not much if any guitar overdubs... Maybe you know??? Thank you, phil roche

[@AL_KING777]

Where do I see these pictures and hear the MC5 performances ?

[@dravenarcane2735]

Oh, IDK... KZbin?

[@AL_KING777]

@@dravenarcane2735 incorrect answer. The photos and performances he’s speaking of aren’t on KZbin

[@dravenarcane2735]

@@AL_KING777 Surprising.

[@MrCtsSteve]

Nailed it on the Velvet Underground thing . I never dug it either .

[@jerewarden2963]

When did John pass away

[@frankieboola6867]

He hasn’t. He will be at BigCloudPresents Legacy event on July 21-23 2023 in Hartford, Michigan

[@neal1692]

If I had a dime for everytime an old guy typed with three dots at the end of a sentence I'd be richer than Bill Gates

[@tedmich]

MC5 sounded better in 1968, IMHO.

[@PAULLONDEN]

No surprise "Back In The USA" bombed. Such an utter disappointment . These days it's interesting to listen to, but at the time , it fell in a big black hole compared to albums from the Doors , Lennon, Hendrix, Stones, Zeppelin, Deep Purple ,Black Sabbath , Stooges to name but a few. Always wondered about their "Kick Out The Jams" policy , while they themselves were prone to play 30 minute jams , instead of short sharp shock rock 'n roll songs .

[@stephensylvester1398]

Back in the USA by the MC5 is my favorite cover of that song. Wayne and Sonic just tore that shit up!

[@letsplayclassicgames5024]

Just imagine if High Time came next instead of Back In The USA. I think it would have changed everything for the 5.

[@E.C.2]

Back in the USA is their best LP.

[@ExcitedAnacondaSnake-hg8ec]

Kick out the jams means you aren’t playing well, has nothing to do with the punk aesthetic of short songs only.