John Sinclair, poet and MC5 manager, dead at 82
John Sinclair, countercultural poet, activist and former manager of Detroit rockers MC5, has passed away at the age of 82.
Sinclair passed away from heart failure on the morning of Tuesday, April 3rd, at Detroit Receiving Hospital. The news has been confirmed by his representative, Matt Lee, as reported by The Detroit News.
During his life, Sinclair became a countercultural icon through his writings, political activism and his work within the music realm. He performed and recorded his spoken word poetry, often with jazz accompaniment from various musicians including his Blues Scholars. Sinclair also provided management to the countercultural proto-punk outfit MC5 in the late 1960s.
Outside of his work in music, Sinclair made waves in news and radio, pushed for the legalisation of marijuana after he received a ten-year prison sentence for possession, and had a hand in founding the White Panther Party, a political organisation that aimed to support the efforts of the Black Panther Party.
Speaking about his impact, Sinclair’s representative Lee stated that he was “on the forefront of the marijuana movement,” but also emphasised his influence within music. “I don’t think people realized how knowledgeable he was in American music,” he stated, “and he was a certified expert in all forms of American jazz and rhythm and blues.”
The poet and activist’s enduring impact can be found throughout culture, such as in the moment Abbie Hoffman interrupted The Who at Woodstock in order to speak out about his imprisonment. “I think this is a pile of shit while John Sinclair rots in prison,” he shouted to the crowd.
Sinclair’s impact can also be found in a song by legendary songwriter John Lennon, titled ‘John Sinclair’. The Beatle spoke out about his imprisonment in a song named after the activist, which contained lyrics such as, “It ain’t fair, John Sinclair, in the stir for breathing air, won’t you care for John Sinclair?” The song featured on his 1972 record with Yoko Ono, Some Time in New York City.
Lennon also attended and performed at the 1971 John Sinclair Freedom Rally alongside Ono, Stevie Wonder, Bob Seger and more. Bobby Seale, one of the founders of the Black Panther Party, also spoke at the event. Not long after the rally took place, Sinclair was released from prison.
Sinclair’s death comes two months after MC5’s lead guitarist, Wayne Kramer, died from pancreatic cancer. Kramer also played alongside Sinclair in the Blues Scholars.
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