Music
Michael Davis
1943–2012 · bassist
Bassist of the MC5, a Wayne State art student who joined the band in 1964 and played on Kick Out the Jams, recorded live at Detroit's Grande Ballroom.
- Born
- Died
Chico, California
aged 68- Detroit years
- 1960s–1980s
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Michael Davis was studying fine art at Wayne State University when singer Rob Tyner and guitarist Wayne Kramer recruited him in 1964 to replace the MC5's original bassist, and he dropped out to join the band. He anchored the group through its wild years as house band at the Grande Ballroom, where Kick Out the Jams was recorded live in October 1968, and played on all three of its original albums before leaving in 1972. In 1975–1976 he served time on drug charges at the federal prison in Lexington, Kentucky, where he was unexpectedly reunited with Kramer and painted large abstract murals for the prison. Back in Michigan he spent seven years in Destroy All Monsters, the Ann Arbor–Detroit art-punk band that also featured Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton. After a serious motorcycle accident in 2006 he and his wife founded the Music Is Revolution Foundation to support music education in public schools.
Highlights
- MC5 bassist (1964–1972)
- Played on Kick Out the Jams, Back in the USA and High Time
- Seven years in Destroy All Monsters
- Co-founded the Music Is Revolution Foundation
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 2
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Studied here · early 1960s
Wayne State University
He was a fine arts student here before dropping out to join the MC5.
Performed here · 1967–1969
Grande Ballroom
Closed · 1928–1972
The MC5's home stage, where Kick Out the Jams was recorded live on October 30–31, 1968. The building stands vacant.