Wayne Kramer & Fred "Sonic" Smith
scene teeming with talent — including Ted Nugent, Bob Seger and Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels — the MC5 burst to the forefront of Detroit rock and roll in the late 1960s with a countercultural stance against institutionalized racism and twin guitars blazing through 100-watt Vox Super Beatles. Guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred “Sonic” Smith forged a dual-guitar blast, the MC5’s live debut, rallying a wave of hardcore rock fans behind the emerging hard-rock scene at a time when rock and roll was splintering into offshoots like heavy metal, acid rock and progressive rock. In that respect, the MC5 were among the bands most responsible for defining hard rock’s extreme sound, rebellious attitude and adventurous spirit.
