MC5: An Oral Biography of Rock's Most Revolutionary Band is an electrifying tribute to one of rock history's most influential and uncompromising bands. Compiled by music journalists Brad Tolinski and Jaan Uhelszki, with contributions from the late Ben Edmonds, this book is a dynamic and deeply personal account of the MC5's journey through the chaotic and radical landscape of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The MC5, a band that was as much a political movement as a musical force, emerges in these pages as the vanguard of a cultural revolution. Managed by the radical John Sinclair, the band didn't just play music; they embodied the defiance of their time, challenging the status quo with their unfiltered lyrics and incendiary performances. The book captures the essence of this spirit, portraying the MC5 not just as provocateurs but as deeply committed artists who used their platform to amplify the voices of the marginalized.

This oral biography is built around candid interviews with the band members, their manager, and their inner circle. These interviews, many of which were inherited from CREEM Magazine's Ben Edmonds, offer a raw and candid look at the band's rise and eventual fall. The personal recollections provide insight into the band's motivations, struggles, and the sheer energy that drove their music. Readers will find themselves immersed in the world of the MC5, from their explosive performances to the behind-the-scenes tensions that often threatened to tear them apart.

What sets this book apart is its ability to convey the visceral impact of the MC5's music. The authors connect the band's sound to its broader cultural significance, highlighting how their fusion of rock and activism laid the groundwork for the punk movement and influenced countless other musicians. The book is rich with anecdotes and lesser-known stories, shedding light on the band's interactions with iconic figures like Iggy Pop, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and John Lennon, as well as political activists like Abbie Hoffman and Eldridge Cleaver.

MC5: An Oral Biography is more than just a historical account; it's a celebration of a band that refused to be silenced, even when faced with adversity. The narrative captures the chaotic energy of the times, making it clear why the MC5 continues to be revered as pioneers who helped shape the future of rock music.

For fans of the MC5, this book is a treasure trove of memories and revelations. For those new to the band, it serves as an essential introduction to the group that played a crucial role in the evolution of punk and heavy metal. With its vivid storytelling and firsthand accounts, MC5: An Oral Biography is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of music, politics, and cultural rebellion. It's a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of a band that was truly revolutionary in every sense of the word.

I’ve been a fan of the MC5 since 1977 when as a sophomore in high school I wanted to expand my musical palette beyond Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin. I will never forget listening to Kick Out The Jams for the first time. This was rock at its nastiest plus it’s most enlightening. This book took me right back there. It’s well-researched and equally well written. A book for die hard fans and novices alike.

MC 5: An Oral Biography
by: Brad Tomlinson, Jean Uhelski, Ben Edmonds
Due October 8 2024
Hachette
4.5

#netgalley #MC5

Extensive and detailed biography of the wild, wacky guys who formed a band that would change the way we look at music, listen to lusic and influence a genre that is still vital today.Punk Rock.

The in-depth oral commentaries connect us to each member, told in their words. MC 5's formed a mind-expanding and mind-alterong band-fueled by a lust for life, sex, drugs and writing music.

Their influence of other bands, musicians and the actual sounds they produced was deep, many bands were formed after going to an MC5 concert. Anything could happen- and usually did. They have been called the godfathers of punk music and the brother of heavy metal music. Experiencing this band is an unforgettable experience no matter how you do.

There is so much information here, and tidbits about things that I have never read before. The guys commentaries share their growth as musicians and people, and their mischeif and fun. There is alot of info about the White Panther Party, and John Sinclair.

As a fan of MC 5, you will love this.
As a fan of music, you will love this.
As a reader looking for a damn good book, you should read this.

Fun, fact-filled and essential.
Thanks you Netgalley, for sending this ARC for review.