Dennis “Machine Gun” Thompson, the founding drummer of MC5 and the last surviving original member of the groundbreaking proto-punk band, has passed away at the age of 75, as reported by The Detroit Free Press.
The exact cause of Thompson’s death has not been disclosed, although he had been battling various health issues in recent months, including a heart attack in April.
Thompson’s death follows closely after the losses of his MC5 bandmate, guitarist Wayne Kramer, in February, and the group’s manager, John Sinclair, in April. Despite his health struggles, Thompson was determined to attend the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony where MC5 was honored with the Musical Excellence Award.
Born into a musical family, Thompson’s talent for drumming emerged at a young age, and he found his musical comrades in high school, forming MC5 during Detroit’s vibrant garage rock scene of the early 1960s.
MC5 quickly rose to fame, known for their politically charged performances and their classic debut album “Kick Out the Jams.” Despite only releasing two studio albums before disbanding in 1972, MC5’s influence was profound, with Thompson’s drumming style earning him the nickname “Machine Gun.”
In the years following MC5’s breakup, Thompson continued to make music with various bands, including collaborations with Ron Asheton of The Stooges and the DKT/MC5 reunion tour with Wayne Kramer and Michael Davis.
Thompson’s legacy as a pioneering drummer and a driving force behind MC5’s revolutionary sound will continue to inspire generations of musicians and fans alike.