The MC5 performs in Mt. Clemens in 1969.
LINCOLN PARK — The city will celebrate The MC5’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with a day of music and remembrance Oct. 12 at Memorial Park, 3240 Ferris Ave.
The day honoring the influential garage band from Lincoln Park will run from 3 to 9 p.m., and coincides with the release of a new biography of the band, “MC5: An Oral Biography of Rock’s Most Revolutionary Band” by authors Ben Edmonds, Brad Tolinski, and Jaan Uhelszki.
The MC5 began as a raucous teen-aged garage band 1965. The 5 developed a fearsome reputation by rocking Downriver basement parties, drive-ins, and social halls. Soon after meeting manager John Sinclair, they graduated to larger venues like The Grande Ballroom in Detroit and eventually to renowned international venues like Wembley Stadium in London, England.
They reached a pinnacle of press exposure by landing on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in early 1969. During their initial run as a band, the MC5 released several classic albums including their legendary debut album “Kick Out the Jams.”
The group disbanded in 1972, but their high-energy and rebellious approach to performance and recording left both an immediate musical impact and a legacy that continues to inspire performers the world over to this day.
In April, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland announced that the MC5 would be included in their October 2024 induction class as a recipient of their Award of Musical Excellence.
Lincoln Park Historical Museum, the mayor and a cadre of family, friends, fans, and musicians will gather to host an exciting and dynamic rock and roll event from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Memorial Park (3240 Ferris Ave. One block east of Fort Street) in Lincoln Park to celebrate the induction of The MC5 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
On Oct. 12, Mayor Michael Higgins will assist in a ceremonial dedication of a newly planted maple tree and to unveil a plaque near the hometown band shell where the MC5 played in mid-1960s. There will be testimonials from family members of the band, local artists, and activists including Becky Tyner, Leni Sinclair, and Peter Werbe.
Howling Diablos front man Tino Gross will MC the event, DJ Mike “Soul Deep” Dutkewych will spin ’60s garage and soul, and there will be multi-media presentations including photos and footage of live MC5 performances. Rock bands Sugar Tradition and American Ruse will be on hand to carry-on the tradition of total-energy live rock and roll.
In the event of rain, the event will move inside to an adjacent auditorium.
The party is free and open to the public. Food trucks and refreshments will be available. There will be bleacher seating, but personal lawn chairs are also welcome.
The Lincoln Park Historical Museum will also be open that day from noon to 3 p.m. to display its MC5 exhibit, which will include special limited time loaned items.
For more information, go to the MC5 Lincoln Park Facebook.