was an American guitarist, best known as a member of the influential and political, Detroit rock band, the MC5...
(That’s according to Wikipedia. Sonic was so much more than that!)
A LEGEND…
THE
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The Legendary MC5 get kicked off the Electra Label...
The Rolling Stones release their first record on the Rolling Stones Label...
and Ringo tells us It Don’t Come Easy…On The Beatles' own label, Apple...
1969…Elektra Records dropped Detroit's MC5 from the label after the band took out an ad in a local paper that included the company logo and said, "F--- Hudsons." They were protesting the Michigan department store's refusal to stock their albums…
1971…The Rolling Stones released the single "Brown Sugar" in the UK... The first issue on their own Rolling Stones Records label…
1971…Ringo Starr released the George Harrison-produced single "It Don't Come Easy" in North America (On their own label)...
It Didn't Come Easy on April 16 in the 60s--EASIER FOR SOME THAN OTHERS, THOUGH...K.O.T.J.M.F. !!!
THE USE OF ANY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL IS USED UNDER THE GUIDELINES OF "FAIR USE" IN TITLE 17 & 107 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE. SUCH MATERIAL REMAINS THE COPYRIGHT OF THE ORIGINAL HOLDER AND IS USED HERE FOR THE PURPOSES OF EDUCATION, COMPARISON, AND CRITICISM ONLY. NO INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT IS INTENDED
The Rationals did a fine cover of Otis Redding’s RESPECT and werejust about rocketed into national prominence in the mid-sixties, but Aretha and the Atlantic Records promo machine yanked it away…Not to say that Aretha didn’t do a great R-E-S-P-E-C-T, but it did knock Scotty and the boys back several notches. Check out The Rationals’ version:
NOT BAD, huh?…
The Rationals: 1964-1970
Scott formed Guardian Angel in 1971: Jeff Jones- lead guitar AL Jacquez - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, Dave Morgan - drums
Scott Morgan - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica, Terry Trabandt (R.I.P.) - bass, vocals
Scott formed Lightnin' in 1972…
Then, in 1974, Scott hooked up with Fred “Sonic” Smith and they formed the LEGENDARY Sonic's Rendezvous Band:
Scott Morgan of the Rationals Gary Rasmussen of the Up Fred "Sonic" Smith of the MC5 Scott"Rock Action" Asheton of the Stooges
THE legendary Rock ‘n Roll outfit comprised of former members the most talented and powerful acts of its day--ended up releasing only a one-song single, City Slang, during its six-year life span (well, there are a few bootlegs)…
Of course those who know about this amazing band REALLY KNOW! If you need to know more than you do, find and buy their music, or at least Google them…
City Slang
Getting There ( Is Half The Fun )
Scott Morgan Band(s): 1981-1984
- During the 1980s, Morgan formed the Scott Morgan Band, which occasionally played in the Ann Arbor/Detroit area. In 1988, his band released an album entitled "Rock Action," who were Scott Morgan (guitar and vocals) backed up by ex-Sonic's Rendezvous bassist Gary Rasmussen and ex-Stooges drummer Scott (aka "Rock Action") Asheton.
The trio later toured in America under the name Scotts Pirates, which also included singer Kathy Deschaine:
“Liner Notes” about Scott’s Pirates
from You Tube:
ROCK & ROLL'S UNSUNG HEROES #12 - If there has ever been a figure in rock history deserving of the term unsung hero, it's Scott Morgan. He's been making great music for almost 50 years now, yet is virtually unknown outside of a dedicated group of true believers. Some of the best material he ever released was on The Scott Morgan Band's album Rock Action. Highlights include both sides of the group's amazing single 16 With A Bullet/Detroit, plus Eagle Dance, Josie's Well, an updated rendition of Hijackin' Love which Scott had recorded previously with the group Lightnin', Heaven and Earth and this cut featuring the harmonies of Scott and Kathy Deschaine, and the kick-ass drumming of Scott "Rock Action" Asheton. This song more or less became the group's theme song, and because of it they changed their name a short time later to Scot's Pirates.
It was while Scott’s Pirates was still active that Scott, along with Gary Rasmussen, also teamed up with Dennis Thompson and Wayne Kramer of the MC5 and Deniz Tek (Radio Birdman) under the name Dodge Main…
In 1998 Morgan teamed up with Swedish rock band The Hellacopters on their U.S tour which led to the Ep Scott Morgan and The Hellacopters
The Hellacopters - Slow Down (Take a Look)
This led to: The Hydromatics, formed by Morgan and Hellacopters frontman Nicke Andersson (a.k.a Nick Royale),
Tony Slug and Theo Brouwer of Amsterdam punk band Nitwitz. During a six week tour the band recorded a live CD before Andersson had to leave the band due to his commitments with his other band. He was soon replaced by Andy Frost and in 2001 the second album Powerglide was released
The Hydromatics Getting There (Is Half the Fun)
In 2003 the group was disbanded.
Once again, in 2004, Scott teamed up with Nicke Andersson
The group recorded their debut album Communicate! in Sweden with an all-Swedish line up of musicians…
Communicate! was followed up with the record Will Not Be Televised in 2007
Well, Scott’s been a tad under the weather lately and there are a FEW benefits happening to help out with some medical expenses. Keep an eye and ear open as to when and where these might be happening—and be there if you can.
Fred "Sonic" Smith passed away due to heart failure on November 4, 1994. His 45 years of life on this planet changed the course of the EVOLUTION OF ROCK & ROLL to the max!!! The earliest Fred "Sonic" Smith recording I have is credited to the MC5, but the band members are listed as: Wayne Kramer, Fred Smith and Rob Tyner (guitars and vocals, respectively)--in the place of Machinegun Thompson is Bob Gaspari on drums; and in place of Mike Davis is Pat Burrows on bass. Regardless, this 1965 recording of "I Don't Mind" by this early version of the MC5 is very soulful :
Of course the MC5 we all know is the "Kick Out The Jams" gang (Smith, Kramer, Davis, Thompson and Tyner) from the White Panther/Rainbow Peoples' Party who made history with their Halloween night recording at Detroit's Grande Ballroom in 1969:
And Sonic, along with the rest of The Five kept on tearin' up the Motor City, and the rest of the planet, for the next few years--Like at this live show at Wayne State University's Tarter Field in 1970:
After the demise of the MC5, keeping true to his roots, Sonic hooked up with Ann Arbor, Michigan superstars Scott Morgan (The Rationals), Gary Rasmussem (The (Dangerous) Up), and Scott Asheton (The Stooges) to form the supergroup they named "Sonic's Rendezvous Band" (A/K/A SRB), releasing the classic cut "City Slang"
While with SRB, Sonic met and married and toured/recorded with Patti Smith.
Check out this 1991 show with Fred & Patti at the legendary Nectarine Ballroom/Second Chance bar in Ann Arbor
Just writing about Fred "Sonic" Smith is very humbling and, therefore, this short blog is just the "tip of the iceberg" in the Fred "Sonic" Smith story. Google Fred, Google Patti, Google SRB (and Scott Morgan, The Stooges, The UP, etc.) and Google The MC5 for much, much moreinformation on this incredible cat who left us much too soon.
Dennis "Machinegun" Thompson has a great story about "Sonic" on his blog...Check it out here
In 2003, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked "Sonic" at #93 in the list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time!
