I grew up in the Detroit area back in he day . About a week ago, my adult son asked me who I thought was the best band to ever come from MI. My answer; The MC5... no question.
I lived in Ann Arbor 68-71 ... Saw them more times than I can count ... I've had a Great life! Fred helped me move house one time .... before 68 - Detroit / after 71 - Detroit
@clairemcgee4716 hells bells, at a Christmas dance the band played howdy doody as their break song.during the dance they played whipping post & come together. It was the early 70s . students didn't want to hear Lawrence Welk. I've been researching to find some info on the band. they were american Indians from Pembroke NC. they were called "REACTION ".they had played dates with the allman brothers band. best cover band I ever heard.
Your right. He had great pipes. Better at some songs like this than others. This particular style suited him better. More structure less scream but impressive all around.
Recently discovered Sonic's Rendezvous Band - holy crap is that stuff great. Sonic was a surprisingly strong vocalist, and the songs and guitar work are predictably top notch. Too bad he didn't do more post-MC5 work, as he was truly a great talent
I am so lucky-grew up in D town when these boys were the “house band”@ the wonderful Grande Ballroom Detroit- # 1 for hard rock &soul music No one else even close
Despite this (presumably) being from one of the last MC5 (sort of) tours, and the two remaining original members being somewhat more subdued than when their former bandmates were with them, this is the best version of Let It Rock I've heard. A terrible shame they couldn't've stuck together for another four years, when rock would've finally caught up with them...
Damn, Fred kicked ass. Looking about as enthused as I'm sure he was---playing out the string as the MC2---so obvious that it was OVER---to a barely interested, disappointed Finnish audience---with Wayne strung out (but still rocking) Fred STILL rocked. Really shows off the hours that Fred and Wayne spent playing guitar in on their block as kids. Even if they were cruising on auto pilot, they knew the places on the guitar neck that felt RIGHT and even as diminished the MC5 may have been as a band, this is just a little more proof that the MC5 could still kick 99.7% of all bands asses.
Sadly the heart and soul of the band was gone by this time ... MC2 is right ... and how killer does it sound with just MC2 ... they were incredible as the original MC5 ... sad that it came to this and had to end.
This is arguably the apex of rock'n'roll. When you can perform "Let It Rock" better than its creator, Chuck Berry, and the Rolling Stones, you stand atop Rock Everest. Why the Finns were so blessed to witness this moment, I'll never know.
@@kennethmilam2894Loved The Five, but sorry, this version is definitely NOT as good as Chuck nor The Stones. Seen them both play it live, not even close, really!
This is far better than even Chuck Berry could be bothered to reproduce live. Tragic what happened to MC5 - they could churn some great rock n roll e.g 1975 Wembley Stadium, UK.
I'm sure Chuck went to his grave pissed off after hearing the MC5 version and how a song like that needed a voice like Sonics. His playing along with Wayne Kramer...you can really see and feel a train coming and the fear and panic! Pure perfection!
Watch the MC5 A TRUE Testimonial!!! Funny as Hell when the MC (master of ceremonies), intro's these guys. AND NOW WE HAVE, THE... MC5. He sounds like Art Linkletter. Sonic was really coming into his own around this time!!! Writing a lot of the MC5 tunes and singing. When playing this Great Chuck Berry tune, you can almost envision Wayne and Sonic as kids jamming in the basement!!
The beautiful Francesca Palazolla had an instamatic photo her folk singer sister took of Fred and Wayne (just the two of them) jamming out in the Ann Arbor West Park bandshell both plugged into the same Fender Twin amp.
"Early in evening when the sun is sinking' low, all they out there waitin' for the whistle to blow..." "We got an unscheduled train coming' two miles out..." You can't fake the inflections, the abbreviations, the twang. Mick Jadestone and the Rolling Boulders got it 30% of the time, but it was never more than only cute. This is the real thing.
even when there were only 2 left, and the music industry had kicked their asses, and they were about as low as you could go - Fred does this. Sonic Smith RIP KOTJMF
If there's a better version of Let it Rock, I can't find it. I thought Lemmy's version was good but I noticed that even there someone had pointed people to this video!
The Stones. Primitive, Basic and Tough Live at Leeds I believe Jagger louche & drawling, Richards born to play this and does. Band Rollin like a Locomotive! MC5 bloody good also though!!
A real diamond of a track, when you unearth this, you hear how brilliant Rock n Roll can sound. This combo of MC5 should have rolled on for much longer.
Best dang player that sat back in a band and did his part but not out front but on this Fred is out showing how it's done doing an amazing guitar n vocal RIP Sonic and Brother Wayne
It’s really interesting to compare this version with The Rolling Stones “Marqee Live in 1971” version. Both are what might be called “early 70s Heavy Classic Rock” in style (as opposed to Chuck Berry’s 1950s-ish style). Both are great. The good, Stones performance is definitely high “show-biz” rock while the MC5 is pure gritty “garage rock” magnificence...and holy fuck...Fred Smith had a GREAT voice!
You nailed it. This song screams for a voice like Sonic's. The Stones version seems "mailed in", an uninspired time filler. Not only was Sonic's voice perfect for this song, but with his gritty guitar perfection and Wayne Kramer's playing...WOW! Keith who?
Fred Sonic is a super rock star. Great guitarist and composer. Beautiful arrangements. Great tone in Fred and Wayne. For me only Hendrix in comparison. Maybe the Who also. Of course, Page.But MC5 guitarists have their strong point in the dynamics. MC5 is more rock and roll than Who or Zeppelin. I think that it is due to MC5 have two guitars in perfect combination.
I gotta laugh...I see women wearing those houndstooth jackets to Alabama football games now a days. Funny Alabama is mentioned in the song. Rock on MC5
Even though this was the ignominious end of the band, about to collapse under the weight of indifference and some really bad drugs, Wayne and Fred still have the dual guitar magic! That sound is where it's at. I wish I could get the tabs for this so I could work out both guitar parts, since the original Chuck Berry version of the song is transcribed for only one guitar.
MC5 were preteens at that time too. A straight up kickass garage band from surf through The Beatles through hippydom when they've reached their peak sonically
The self destruction of the MC5 is one of Rock's biggest tragedies. These guys were as good as the biggest bands in the world and Wayne Kramer was a potential superstar. What a loss...
@@hwearrow But this is not that version of the band with the original five guys. This is the broken down and bleeding out version of the band that was struggling to stay together with a replacement drummer and bass player.
I was at Russ gibb house with Wayne It was the last time they talked. I cared for Russ in his final years. His mind was sharp and the stories were great
Lost another great. Rest in peace brother Wayne Kramer.
Damn, I hadn't heard anything about Wayne passing away, gutted to be honest.
I grew up in the Detroit area back in he day . About a week ago, my adult son asked me who I thought was the best band to ever come from MI. My answer; The MC5... no question.
Stooges
I lived in Ann Arbor 68-71 ... Saw them more times than I can count ... I've had a Great life! Fred helped me move house one time .... before 68 - Detroit / after 71 - Detroit
a customer of mine told me that mc5 played his high school prom
@@yb-rk5oh wow ! That must have been great ! altho / dancing to MC5 in a prom dress must have been weird !!!
@clairemcgee4716 hells bells, at a Christmas dance the band played howdy doody as their break song.during the dance they played whipping post & come together. It was the early 70s . students didn't want to hear Lawrence Welk. I've been researching to find some info on the band. they were american Indians from Pembroke NC. they were called "REACTION ".they had played dates with the allman brothers band. best cover band I ever heard.
RIP Wayne Kramer
Damn that voice. Sounds like he lived 10 lifetimes. Amazing
As many times as I was at the a Grande, I didn't know Fred was such a rockin singer!, He should have sang a lot more!
Your right. He had great pipes. Better at some songs like this than others. This particular style suited him better. More structure less scream but impressive all around.
Yes, Who knew? 😊
@@lilakilonen5663 check out Sonic’s Rendezvous Band …Personally, I like them better than the 5.
@@chriskies5016 best unsigned band of the 70's.
He became into his own as a singer/ guitar player. He sang about 50% of the songs in Sonic's Rendezvous Band which there are many audio clips on here.
Finland is still trying to recover from the intense MC-5 experience.
Still trying to figure out what happened😂
"Perkele" moment!!
Screw what you say,look at the performance, screw findland,Abba sucks
We've been a heavy metal country ever since
@@briantaylor9220it’s Finland actually not Findland !And Abba were Swedish .
I found this tune last week on YT and have played it about 25 times since.
😊😊😊
I remember when I first found this clip! I too played it 25 times in a row!
This is a gem. Watched it about 100 times since I found it and enjoy it more every time. Sonic Smith and Wayne Kramer could flat out play.
I`m new to this particular party, I totally agree, I wish these two players had stayed together for longer.
Me too
No frills, straight up Rock n' Roll, played purely for pleasure!! Can't believe how good Fred 'Sonic' Smith's voice sounds!
Mark Pendry Its a damned shame there isnt more Sonic's Rendezvous Band music out there for the masses...
Agreed!
Recently discovered Sonic's Rendezvous Band - holy crap is that stuff great. Sonic was a surprisingly strong vocalist, and the songs and guitar work are predictably top notch. Too bad he didn't do more post-MC5 work, as he was truly a great talent
I am so lucky-grew up in D town when these boys were the “house band”@ the wonderful Grande Ballroom Detroit- # 1 for hard rock &soul music No one else even close
I envy you Dude!!
So do I :( Man I missed out on one of my favorite bands play years before I’d set ground on Earth
The Grande Ballroom. So many memories 🥰
Despite this (presumably) being from one of the last MC5 (sort of) tours, and the two remaining original members being somewhat more subdued than when their former bandmates were with them, this is the best version of Let It Rock I've heard. A terrible shame they couldn't've stuck together for another four years, when rock would've finally caught up with them...
Check out Sonic's Rendezvous Band. Fred's band after The MC5. Great stuff.
i agree
I believe this is called "Rock and Roll music".
Yes it is. And missed dearly!!
better known as johnny b goode
@@elsolitario1741 Ahhhhh No wrong song
Sure is
The shit we have to endure now days, this is great, singer sure is arrogant
Fred Smith was the engine on the MC5, he made the whole thing move!
Damn, Fred kicked ass. Looking about as enthused as I'm sure he was---playing out the string as the MC2---so obvious that it was OVER---to a barely interested, disappointed Finnish audience---with Wayne strung out (but still rocking) Fred STILL rocked. Really shows off the hours that Fred and Wayne spent playing guitar in on their block as kids. Even if they were cruising on auto pilot, they knew the places on the guitar neck that felt RIGHT and even as diminished the MC5 may have been as a band, this is just a little more proof that the MC5 could still kick 99.7% of all bands asses.
Fred will always be missed. Great guitarist!
doesn't get better than this
Sadly the heart and soul of the band was gone by this time ... MC2 is right ... and how killer does it sound with just MC2 ... they were incredible as the original MC5 ... sad that it came to this and had to end.
just incredible! fred was great! forever in our hearts and ears!
what a great voice FRED , MC5 , just the greatest band ever
Yeah buddy&the Grande- best hall in rock don Hippest audience,if a band was not good,they got boo Ed off the stage My home town
Love the voice, not too many songs where fred smith sang
Eric P check our Sonic’s Rendezvous Band - amazing singing, playing and writing from the great man!
@68’ Rumble Bee Yes, he did 😉
what a fucking voice
This is arguably the apex of rock'n'roll. When you can perform "Let It Rock" better than its creator, Chuck Berry, and the Rolling Stones, you stand atop Rock Everest.
Why the Finns were so blessed to witness this moment, I'll never know.
Amen
yep. they have that early rolling stones sound down flat. And to rub salt into the wounds, BETTER THAN KEITH OR CHUCK. Trully magic playing.
@@kennethmilam2894Loved The Five, but sorry, this version is definitely NOT as good as Chuck nor The Stones. Seen them both play it live, not even close, really!
@josephokeefe8379 much better than the stones
This is far better than even Chuck Berry could be bothered to reproduce live. Tragic what happened to MC5 - they could churn some great rock n roll e.g 1975 Wembley Stadium, UK.
I'm sure Chuck went to his grave pissed off after hearing the MC5 version and how a song like that needed a voice like Sonics. His playing along with Wayne Kramer...you can really see and feel a train coming and the fear and panic! Pure perfection!
Derek Hughes is playing Bass. Ritchie Dharma is on drums. Smith and Kramer are the 2 originals.
thanks for the name of the drummer!!!!😊
This is a Gem !
The tail end of The MC5
Fred Sonic Smith burns here just like
Motor City 🔥
Watch the MC5 A TRUE Testimonial!!! Funny as Hell when the MC (master of ceremonies), intro's these guys. AND NOW WE HAVE, THE... MC5. He sounds like Art Linkletter. Sonic was really coming into his own around this time!!! Writing a lot of the MC5 tunes and singing. When playing this Great Chuck Berry tune, you can almost envision Wayne and Sonic as kids jamming in the basement!!
The beautiful Francesca Palazolla had an instamatic photo her folk singer sister took of Fred and Wayne (just the two of them) jamming out in the Ann Arbor West Park bandshell both plugged into the same Fender Twin amp.
Sonic really could sing it! Bloody good stuff!
Damn fine version! Fred’s guitar playing is superb on this... let it rock!
Dynamic. I thought they were channelling Chuck Berry when I first clicked, but I now see they were covering him, and awesomely well.
Even during the lowest times of the 5, Fred and Wayne still knew how to put a Chuck Berry tune through its paces
"Early in evening when the sun is sinking' low, all they out there waitin' for the whistle to blow..."
"We got an unscheduled train coming' two miles out..."
You can't fake the inflections, the abbreviations, the twang. Mick Jadestone and the Rolling Boulders got it 30% of the time, but it was never more than only cute. This is the real thing.
Fred was definitely the Real Deal.
even when there were only 2 left, and the music industry had kicked their asses, and they were about as low as you could go - Fred does this. Sonic Smith RIP KOTJMF
Just some great straight forward kick-ass rock & Roll!!!! Just raw energy. They must have been awesome to watch live.
They were
Wayne Kramer pure,clear and Rock
If there's a better version of Let it Rock, I can't find it. I thought Lemmy's version was good but I noticed that even there someone had pointed people to this video!
Try Blackberry Smoke, there’s is good also!
yes, this IS DEFINITIVELY the BEST version of All, even dave edmunds`s cant top it
The Stones. Primitive, Basic and Tough
Live at Leeds I believe
Jagger louche & drawling, Richards born to play this and does.
Band Rollin like a Locomotive!
MC5 bloody good also though!!
Dave Edmunds
I like this song. It takes Wayne and Sonic back to their R and B roots.
Love the way he says " we're going to Let It Rock!"...
A real diamond of a track, when you unearth this, you hear how brilliant Rock n Roll can sound. This combo of MC5 should have rolled on for much longer.
Grandiosa banda MC5! Todo el poder de Wayne Kramer al requinto!
Damn!Fred"sonic"plays like a god here.The timing and the groove.Fab!And his voice is so cool.
Such a deep smooth sound...
3:51 seconds of perfection.
The guitar interplay is what makes the song sound like a classic .Damn great cover it's angry and driven .RIP Wayne Kramer
Lovin the Chuck Berry riffs. If Chuck could have pulled himself away from his bathroom cameras he would have been proud.
Best dang player that sat back in a band and did his part but not out front but on this Fred is out showing how it's done doing an amazing guitar n vocal RIP Sonic and Brother Wayne
Fred blows this away.
I would have loved to see this live!
Damn. That was some RAWK.
Je vous souhaite d'être reconnu dans le monde entier parce que je vous trouve SUPER !!!!💕💕
You are THE BEST!!!!
Dominique from Mulhouse (France )✌✌✌✌✌
Smith was a flawless player in many respects.
It’s really interesting to compare this version with The Rolling Stones “Marqee Live in 1971” version. Both are what might be called “early 70s Heavy Classic Rock” in style (as opposed to Chuck Berry’s 1950s-ish style). Both are great. The good, Stones performance is definitely high “show-biz” rock while the MC5 is pure gritty “garage rock” magnificence...and holy fuck...Fred Smith had a GREAT voice!
You nailed it. This song screams for a voice like Sonic's. The Stones version seems "mailed in", an uninspired time filler. Not only was Sonic's voice perfect for this song, but with his gritty guitar perfection and Wayne Kramer's playing...WOW! Keith who?
Wayne and sonic oozing cool. Nice.
Formidable rock n rollers...Yes indeed!
Wayne Kramer is a legend and he will be sorely missed
They said the drummer wasn't that great in the 'True Testimonial' movie but... not bad! Long Hail the MC2!
dharma with lou reed and notable others
Fred "Sonic" Smith♥ AMAZINGGG
Fred Sonic is a super rock star. Great guitarist and composer. Beautiful arrangements. Great tone in Fred and Wayne. For me only Hendrix in comparison. Maybe the Who also. Of course, Page.But MC5 guitarists have their strong point in the dynamics. MC5 is more rock and roll than Who or Zeppelin. I think that it is due to MC5 have two guitars in perfect combination.
Best quality version of this yet. Definitely my favorite cover of this song!
Its crazy how they have no idea they're gonna become the godfathers of punk rock in the near future.
They were in a League of their own with the Stooges
Definitely Fred's song. Just like Wayne's Ramblin' Rose.
Great job on this Chuck Berry song!!!!!
Sonic sportin' one bad-ass jacket!
I gotta laugh...I see women wearing those houndstooth jackets to Alabama football games now a days. Funny Alabama is mentioned in the song. Rock on MC5
Awesome voice!
best let it rock ever by the best band ever ...
True Rock n' Roll!
Million thanks ❤️ Nostalgia
What a voice
Great voice!
Perfection.
Beautiful!
Rock 'n Roll pure and simple :)
RIP Wayne Kramer (1948-2024).
Clássico! Muito bom que dá vontade de chorar! rs
Gotta love that hound's tooth jackets.
Fantastic!
Amazing, blisters old saucer lips & the stones
Brutal
well, thats rock and roll!!!
Rockin' cover of 'Let it Rock'.
MC5-----LET IT ROCK!!
Love it !!!
just brilliant,loved it.bit of chuck
Totally rocks!
"ROCK 'EM BACK, SONIC !!"
Great version of an all-time CLASSIC. The Stones do a pretty decent version on the "Leeds Lungs" bootleg from '71.
Even though this was the ignominious end of the band, about to collapse under the weight of indifference and some really bad drugs, Wayne and Fred still have the dual guitar magic! That sound is where it's at. I wish I could get the tabs for this so I could work out both guitar parts, since the original Chuck Berry version of the song is transcribed for only one guitar.
The first break Fred takes is the "sliding sixths" that moves with the I IV V changes.
@@chrisghiardi117 Thanks, that helps. Still trying to work out both parts. This is a great cover to play for a band with two guitars.
Let is rock, en plus violent, c'est celui ci qu'in faut mettre s'il vous plaît. Merci 😊🎉
This is good old Blues and there's nothing like good shit n playing it Loud with
Brilliant!
Tremendos nonlos conocia....gracias por conpratir
Merci. Tak a lot.
AWESOME
Hell of a cover. I was born in 1944 and was a pre teen when Mr. Berry changed music forever
MC5 were preteens at that time too. A straight up kickass garage band from surf through The Beatles through hippydom when they've reached their peak sonically
The self destruction of the MC5 is one of Rock's biggest tragedies. These guys were as good as the biggest bands in the world and Wayne Kramer was a potential superstar. What a loss...
Wrong. The five were really superstars already then.. Fred Sonic was a blast guitarist.
@@hwearrow But this is not that version of the band with the original five guys. This is the broken down and bleeding out version of the band that was struggling to stay together with a replacement drummer and bass player.
Jail hurt them. Must’ve had shitty lawyers
Celebrate the the music no one wants pontificating 😂
At least here they had a better drummer,a real,full song with full complete lyrics..not just jams where the vocalist made up stuff as he went along
Hey ❤ Nice jobb!,! Love your version, so cool! Love from Sweden⚡️⚡️Keep it up!,,
Sonic indeed!!!!!
Рок 🎸 ролл твист рокобилли буги вуги шейк навсегда здорово 👍
I was at Russ gibb house with Wayne It was the last time they talked. I cared for Russ in his final years. His mind was sharp and the stories were great
I wish somehow that when they kind of split without Rob that made a covers album. You know a band is great when they can do great covers.
Smacked out.....................🖤
the drugs had really kicked in by this time. bad habits, great tunes