Dennis Thompson , drummer and last remaining member of MC5 , has passed away at the age of 75. The news was revealed by the Detroit Free Press .
According to the news outlet, Thompson passed away at MediLodge of Taylor, a care facility near Detroit, last Wednesday, the 8th. The musician was recovering from a heart attack he suffered in April of this year.
Thompson was known as Machine Gun because of his aggressive playing style. The influential group released two studio albums in the 1970s, on which Thompson played. He also contributed to the 1969 LP Kick Out the Jams , as well as many other live releases. Thompson also reportedly played on two tracks of MC5's final, yet-to-be-released album, Heavy Lifting , which will feature other guest appearances. The album's release date has not yet been announced.
In April, MC5 was announced as a nominee for the 2024 class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Thompson, who was recovering in the hospital at the time, was reportedly delighted with the honor and declared, "It's about time!" when the announcement was made.
Thompson joined MC5 in 1965, alongside vocalist Rob Tyner , guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred “Sonic” Smith , and bassist Michael Davis . Thompson was the last surviving member of the group – Tyner and Smith died in the 1990s, Davis passed away in 2012, and Kramer and the band's longtime manager, John Sinclair , died earlier this year.