Fred “Sonic” Smith
September 14, 1949 – November 4, 1994
Fred “Sonic” Smith was the founding guitarist for Detroit proto punk band, the MC5. Formed in 1964 with Wayne Kramer, Rob Tyner, Michael Davis and Dennis Thompson, the MC5 were one of the architects of garage rock and were a direct influence on punk rock. Their “Kick Out The Jams” remains one of rocks truest anthems to this day. After MC5 disbanded in 1972, Smith went on to form Sonic’s Rendezvous Band which included Scott Asheton of the Stooges. In 1976, Smith met punk poetess, Patti Smith while she and her band were in Detroit. They hit it off and eventually became romantically involved. They married in 1980 and both settled into a family life in the suburbs of Detroit. Fred and Patti Smith collaborated on record in the coming years, but were for the most part, retired from the music industry. Fred “Sonic” Smith was 45 when he died of a heart attack on November 4, 1994. Patti Smith went on to see some of her most productive and successful years back in the music business.
What You Should Own
