It will be a gathering of the faithful when some of Michigan’s most respected and enduring rock and roll acts take to the stage at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor for “A Tribute to The MC5” on June 9.
A fundraiser for the late Wayne Kramer’s Jail Guitar Doors Foundation that uses music to rehabilitate jail inmates, it was instigated by former Scott Morgan’s Powertrane bassist and current Mazinga member, Chris “Box” Taylor after the recent passing of the Five’s last man standing, drummer Dennis Thompson.
Acts appearing include a reformed The Paybacks (fronted by vocal powerhouse Wendy Case), legendary Rationals and Sonics Rendezvous Band member Scott Morgan, former White Panthers activist and Cult Heroes frontman Hiawatha Bailey and those no-nonsense Rock Action exponents, The Strains.
Johnny "Bee" Badanjek (ex-Detroit Wheels, Alice Cooper, The Romantics) will partner with guitarist Kenny Olson (Kid Rock), and founding member of The Gories, Danny Kroha, is also among the names appearing. Space rockers Mazinga, The Broken Arrows Blues Band, Mike Skill and Ricky Ratt, The Stomp Rockets and Tino G’s Dumpster Machine round out a bill MC’d by “Caveman” Woodman.
Ann Arbor is a fitting place for the tribute, as it has been home to the MC5 and the Stooges.
