"Kick Out the Jams" is a song by MC5, released as a single in March 1969 by Elektra Records. The album of the same name caused some controversy due to inflammatory liner notes by the band's manager, John Sinclair, and the track's rallying cry of "Kick out the jams, motherfuckers!". According to guitarist Wayne Kramer, the band recorded this as "Kick out the jams, brothers and sisters!" for the single released for radio play; lead vocalist Rob Tyner claimed this was done without group consensus. The edited version also appeared in some LP copies, which also withdrew Sinclair's excitable comments. The album was released in January 1969; reviews were mixed, but the album was relatively successful, quickly selling over 100,000 copies and peaking at #30 on the Billboard album chart in May 1969 during a 23-week stay.
Side A of the original single
2009 re-issue cover
MC5 was an American rock band formed in Lincoln Park, Michigan, in 1963. The classic line-up consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson. MC5 were listed by Parade as one of the best rock bands of all time and by VH1 as one of the greatest hard rock artists of all time.
The band's first three albums are regarded by many as staples of rock music, and their 1969 song "Kick Out the Jams" is widely covered.
MC5 and Motörhead's Lemmy Kilmister in 2005. L-R: Wayne Kramer, Dennis Thompson, Michael Davis, Lemmy, and Gilby Clarke.
MC5 performing in 2005. L-R: Wayne Kramer, Handsome Dick Manitoba, Dennis Thompson (obscured by Manitoba), Michael Davis, and Gilby Clarke.
MC5 performing in 2018. L–R: Wayne Kramer, bassist Billy Gould, vocalist Marcus Durant, drummer Brendan Canty (obscured by Durant), and guitarist Kim Thayil.