Original image by Leni Sinclair.
A few hours before the clueless moguls of the music industry rattle their jewelry at a black-tie knees-up in Cleveland to officially induct the MC5 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Lame, a more appropriate commemoration will take place in the band’s home state of Michigan.
Friends and supporters will gather at Memorial Park in Lincoln Park - the city where Rob Tyner (Derminer), Wayne Kramer (Kambes), Fred Smith and Dennis Thompson (Tomich) attended high school - from 3pm on the afternoon of October 12.
Expect testimonials from family members, local artists and activists including Becky Tyner, Leni Sinclair and Peter Werbe at an event MC’d by Howling Diablos frontman Tino Gross.
Lincoln Park Mayor Michael Higgins and families will dedicate a maple tree and unveil a plaque near the bandshell where the MC5 played in the mid-‘60s.
DJ Mike “Soul Deep” Dutkewych will spin ‘60s garage and soul, rare footage will be screened at dusk, and two bands, Sugar Tradition and American Ruse, will kick out the jams. The Lincoln Park Historical Museum will open that day from noon to 3pm to display their MC5 exhibit includes limited time loaned items.
And the event will coincide with release day for the new book, “MC5: An Oral Biography of Rock’s Most Revolutionary Band” by Ben Edmonds, Brad Tolinski, and Jaan Uhelszki.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony has departed from tradition by moving from New York City to Cleveland and is selling tickets to the public at the starting price of $US85.
The Memorial Park celebration is free with limited bleachers seating, so patrons are being asked to bring their own deckchairs.
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