MC5

Latest about MC5

The rock group MC5 (L-R Dennis "Machine Gun" Thompson, Wayne Kramer, Fred "Sonic" Smith and Rob Tyner) perform live in 1969 in Mount Clemens, Michigan.

The new MC5 album took more than 50 years to arrive. Guitarist Wayne Kramer and his bandmates have passed on, but the celebration is just beginning

By Gary Graff published

Kramer was assisted by Vernon Reid, Tom Morello and Slash in making the group's final album

Albums Singles & New Releases
MC5 'Kick Out the Jams' album artwork

Wild, Urgent and Vital: Here’s Why MC5’s ‘Kick out the Jams’ Stands as a Precursor to Punk and Defines Timeless Rock Music

By Jim Campilongo published

If rock music is a combination of bravado and lust, MC5 left pretty much everyone in the dust

Music
Eddie Van Halen, 1979

Here’s Why Eddie Van Halen was a Guitar Gear Pioneer

By Christopher Scapelliti published

A master of technique and tone, the six-string innovator turned us on to the Strat ‘bucker and Floyd Rose.

Guitars
We Are All MC5

Wayne Kramer Reanimates MC5 with New Album 'Heavy Lifting'

By Rod Brakes published

Video The pioneering guitarist announces news following Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination.

Video
Hard Rock Heroes: The 1960s

How Beck, Hendrix, Townshend, Page, and More Set the Template for Hard Rock Guitar in the 1960s

By Guitar Player Staff published

The progenitors of hard rock gave sound and shape to a divergent and ultimately diverse strain of rock and roll.

Guitarists