Artist page · 27/06/2026

MC5

DetroitFormed in 1964Métal8 vinyl albums
Formed in Detroit in 1964, MC5 blended garage rock, hard rock and proto-punk styles during an explosive but brief career ending in 1972.
8Albums on Vinyles.com
560Discogs releases
470kLast.fm listeners

About

MC5, Detroit's raw power trio reshaped proto-punk and hard rock.

Nine vinyl releases tracked, including classic 1969 debuts and prized 1971 French 'High Time' LP.

MC5, short for Motor City Five, emerged from Detroit's underground rock scene in the mid-1960s. Known for their high-energy live performances and radical political stance, they recorded influential albums on Atlantic Records. Their 1969 debut "Kick Out The Jams" is a seminal studio album capturing their live intensity, while follow-ups "Back In The USA" (1970) and "High Time" (1971) showcase tighter studio work as the band developed. Despite struggles with drug abuse and internal conflicts, MC5's blend of garage punk, hard rock, and proto-punk left a lasting mark on rock music.

The vinyl market hosts numerous MC5 pressings including original US and European pressings of "High Time" and "Kick Out The Jams".

Discography

MC5 — Discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

Heavy LiftingEar Music · 2024
2024
Heavy Lifting
Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition
Studio
Black To CommEasy Action · 2011
2011
Black To Comm
CD, Album, DVD, DVD-Video, Box Set
Studio
Human Being Lawnmower / The Baddest & Maddest Of The MC5Total Energy · 2002
2002
Human Being Lawnmower / The Baddest & Maddest Of The MC5
CD, Album
Studio
The American RuseTotal Energy · 1995
1995
The American Ruse
CD, Album
Studio
Power TripAlive Records · 1994
1994
Power Trip
CD, Album
Studio
Looking At YouReceiver Records Limited · 1994
1994
Looking At You
CD, Album
Studio
Black To CommReceiver Records Limited · 1994
1994
Black To Comm
CD, Album
Studio
Live 1969/70NKVD · 1991
1991
Live 1969/70
CD, Album
Studio
Live Detroit 68/69Revenge Records · 1988
1988
Live Detroit 68/69
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
High TimeAtlantic · 1971
1971
High Time
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Back In The USAAtlantic · 1970
1970
Back In The USA
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Kick Out The JamsElektra · 1969
1969
Kick Out The Jams
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up MC5's career.

01
Kick Out the Jams
Kick Out the Jams
Kick Out The Jams · 1969
02
Looking at You
Looking at You
Back In The USA · 1970
03
Ramblin' Rose
Ramblin' Rose
Kick Out The Jams · 1969
04
Come Together
Come Together
Kick Out The Jams · 1969
05
Motor City Is Burning
Motor City Is Burning
Kick Out The Jams · 1969
06
Kick Out the Jams (Original Uncensored Version)
·
07
Borderline
Borderline
Kick Out The Jams · 1969
08
The American Ruse
The American Ruse
Back In The USA · 1970

The essentials

The 3 MC5 albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 1969
Vinyl LP Album Stereo
Kick Out The Jams

The debut album recorded live at Detroit’s Grande Ballroom in late 1968, capturing MC5’s raw, aggressive energy and pioneering garage rock sound.

8 tracksStereoElektra labelRecorded live Oct 30-31, 1968
#2 · 1970
Vinyl LP Album
Back In The USA (Atlantic 75)

Second studio album offering a tighter rock & roll approach with garage influences, featuring the track “Looking At You.”

11 tracksAtlantic labelGarage Rock style
#3 · 1971
Vinyl LP Album Stereo
High Time (Rocktober)

Third studio album exploring psychedelic and punk elements, with 8 tracks spanning over 41 minutes from MC5's later prolific period.

8 tracksStereoAtlantic labelFrench original pressing available

Collectors

For vinyl die-hards

The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.

Market values (source: Discogs)

For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.

High Time
Master release · LP · 1971
Market position i
63,68 €
Min price 35 €Max price 173 €
Average price 63,68 €
Only 15 copies for sale on Discogs
836 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Back In The USA
Master release · LP · 1970
Market position i
89,63 €
Min price 60 €Max price 449 €
Average price 89,63 €
Only 21 copies for sale on Discogs
1 146 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Kick Out The Jams
Master release · LP · 1969
Market position i
43,90 €
Min price 19 €Max price 175 €
Average price 43,90 €
Only 51 copies for sale on Discogs
669 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Heavy Lifting
Master release · LP · 2024
Market position i
17,90 €
Min price 11 €Max price 21 €
Average price 17,90 €
Only 162 copies for sale on Discogs
34 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Black To Comm
Master release · LP · 2011
Market position i
10,41 €
Min price 10 €Max price 10 €
Average price 10,41 €
Only 51 copies for sale on Discogs
79 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Human Being Lawnmower / The Baddest & Maddest Of The MC5
Master release · LP · 2002
Market position i
29,99 €
Min price 30 €Max price 30 €
Average price 29,99 €
Only 2 copies for sale on Discogs
30 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)

Notable pressings & editions

Album Edition Country · Year Matrix Market tensionValue
Heavy LiftingLP, Album, Limited Edition
Ear Music Germany · 2024 0219135EMU 🔥 Standard edition
34 want · 183 have · ratio 0,2
11,25 €
Heavy LiftingLP, Album
Ear Music Germany · 2024 0219135EMU Original pressing
34 want · 183 have · ratio 0,2
17,90 €
High TimeLP, Album, Stereo
Atlantic France · 1971 40223 , 40 223, N° 40 223 🔥 Standard edition
836 want · 1 276 have · ratio 0,7
35,00 €
High TimeLP, Test Pressing, Stereo
Atlantic US · 1971 8285 Original pressing
836 want · 1 276 have · ratio 0,7
Back In The USALP, Album
Atlantic UK · 1970 2400 016 🔥 Standard edition
1 146 want · 2 621 have · ratio 0,4
80,18 €
Back In The USALP, Album
Atlantic Spain · 1970 HATS 421-48 Original pressing
1 146 want · 2 621 have · ratio 0,4
59,99 €
Kick Out The JamsLP, Album, Stereo
Elektra US · 1969 EKS-74042 🔥 Standard edition
669 want · 120 have · ratio 5,6
52,80 €
Kick Out The JamsLP, Album, Promo, Stereo
Elektra US · 1969 EKS-74042 Original pressing
669 want · 120 have · ratio 5,6
175,12 €

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of MC5

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

Kick Out The Jams, motherfucker! captures the band’s incendiary spirit and confrontational style.
MC5 signature chant
01Live Recording

Kick Out The Jams live sessions

The album "Kick Out The Jams" was recorded live at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit on October 30-31, 1968, showcasing the band's unfiltered live energy.

1968Detroit
02Original Pressing

1971 French pressing of 'High Time'

A true collector's item, the 1971 Atlantic French pressing of "High Time" with catalog number 40223, available at 35€ as the lowest price on vinyl markets.

1971France
03Band History

Formation and early years in Detroit

MC5 was formed in 1964 by merging two local Detroit groups, initially playing covers before developing their own revolutionary style.

1964Detroit
04Vinyl Reissue

2024 'Heavy Lifting' release

The 2024 'Heavy Lifting' LP issued by Ear Music in Germany is a limited edition vinyl blending hard rock, punk and funk elements, expanding MC5's legacy.

2024Germany

FAQ

FAQ: MC5 on physical formats

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

What are MC5's most essential vinyl albums?

Key MC5 albums on vinyl include 'Kick Out The Jams' (1969), 'Back In The USA' (1970), and 'High Time' (1971), all showcasing stages of their raw rock evolution.

Where was MC5 formed and during what years were they active?

MC5 was formed in Detroit in 1964 and remained active until 1972, releasing influential garage and proto-punk rock records.

Which MC5 vinyl release is a live recording?

'Kick Out The Jams' is a live album recorded at Detroit's Grande Ballroom in 1968, widely recognized for its energetic and raw sound.

Are there any valuable original MC5 pressings from France?

The 1971 French pressing of 'High Time' on Atlantic Records is an original and sought-after vinyl for collectors.

What genres best describe MC5's music?

MC5's music blends garage rock, punk, hard rock, and proto-punk, capturing the rebellious spirit of late 60s and early 70s rock.

How does vinyl pricing for MC5 albums vary?

Original pressings like the 1969 'Kick Out The Jams' US Elektra promo can sell above 170€, while more recent limited editions are priced between 10€ and 25€.

Which MC5 song is their most famous and frequently covered?

'Kick Out The Jams' remains MC5's best-known track, noted for its provocative chant and numerous artist covers.

Can I find MC5 vinyl records in French record stores?

Yes, original and reissue MC5 LPs are available in French stores, including the 1971 'High Time' French pressing and recent reissues via Rhino Records.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 27/06/2026