For both the lifelong and newcomer fans of the MC5, the rockers from Lincoln Park who helped lead the evolution of rock music into the punk era of the 1970s, the celebration of the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this October has already begun. Having epitomized the rock revolution with their rebellious spirit and revolutionary musical styles, the band has merited past nominations to the Hall and is being awarded in 2024 with the “Award for Musical Excellence.”

Sadly, the group’s last remaining members, lead guitarist Wayne Kramer, and drummer Dennis ‘Machine Gun’ Thompson, both passed away earlier this year. Fred ‘Sonic’ Smith, Rob Tyner, and Michael Davis had died in previous years. The band’s longtime manager, John Sinclair, also passed away this year. On Saturday, October 19, 2024, the MC5, along with a slate of other legendary rock honorees, will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland Ohio.

One week prior, on Saturday, October 12th, the community of Lincoln Park will gather at our Memorial Park Bandshell to celebrate this landmark in rock and roll history. With activities set to begin at 3:00 p.m., DJ Soul Deep will kick off the festivities turning out tunes by the group and its influencers and the many bands they came to inspire. The celebration will include friends and families of the band, and the dedication of a tree next to the bandshell, where the MC5 performed in their early years together. A declaration of the special day and presentation by the City of Lincoln Park leads off the official proceedings. The release of “MC5: An Oral Biography of Rock’s Most Revolutionary Band” takes place the same weekend with book sales and signing by co-authors Brad Tolinski and Jaan Uhelszki. The celebrated artwork of photographer Leni Sinclair and poster artists Gary Grimshaw and Carl Lundgren will also be represented and available for purchase. An assortment of food trucks will be on site. Scheduled speakers include musician Tino Gross, who will serve as emcee for the celebration, journalist Peter Werbe, poet M.L. Liebler, and members of the band’s families, giving testimonials in the stage portion of the evening. Live performances by Sugar Tradition and American Ruse will carry the energy through the evening's twilight. At dusk, there will be a showing of rare films of the band. Our deep gratitude to Becky Tyner, Tim Caldwell and Adam Stanfel for their help coordinating this special tribute in Lincoln Park. It is an absolute joy for all of us - and you - to share this milestone here in our own backyard!

More information about our previous exhibition for the 50th anniversary of MC5 can be found HERE.

Our Thanks to Carl Lundgren for the art design with photography by Leni Sinclair and Emil Bacilla.

Here is a link to the recent Destination Downriver podcast that features a segment on the upcoming MC5 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebration here in Lincoln Park. Participants include former mayor and current director of the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, Tom Karnes; Special Events Director for the City, Stephani Davis; and Museum Curator Jeff Day.

A new book entitled MC5: An Oral Biography of Rock's Most Revolutionary Band, will have its official release at an event to be held Friday October 11th at the DIA. Including interviews and research conducted by writer Ben Edmunds over a two decade period, compiled and edited by co-authors Jaan Uhelszki and Brad Tolinski, the book is being released one week before the MC5 will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.               

The book's release and concurrent Hall of Fame event was a completely serendipitous occurrence.

The new book will also be available for purchase and signing at Lincoln Park's celebration event for the 5 at the Memorial Park bandshell on Saturday, October 12th beginning at 3pm. This is event is free and open to the community.

You can check out the DIA event details by clicking HERE.

We hope you can join us for the annual Lincoln Park Garden Walk/tour taking place on Saturday July 27, from 9am to 1pm.  The tour, sponsored by the Community Improvement Commission, will feature a selection of both residential and community gardens across the city.

Tour Maps can be picked up here at the historical museum beginning at 9am; all donations will help with funding the museum, a valued community resource.

The museum will also be open for visits from 9:00am to 1:00pm, when we normally open to the public.

The Lincoln Park Historical Society returns to celebrating its Annual Dinner and program after a three-year hiatus. The evening program is held Thursday April 27 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Lincoln Park High School cafeteria. The program for the evening is a tribute by Ed Clemente on “Clemente’s Restaurant an 80-year landmark, 1930-2010”. Ed is the son of Ettore (Eddie) and Mary Clemente and the grandson of founders Natalina and Joseph Clemente Sr. Clemente’s began in 1930 as a pool hall on Fort Park during the era of Prohibition and the Great Depression. In 1933, following the repeal of Prohibition, Clemente’s was the first local tavern to receive a beer license. In the 1940s, Clemente’s moved to its location on Fort Street at Lincoln, expanding its restaurant and adding a bowling alley.

The evening fundraiser will include a special silent auction.

The strolling dinner will consist of 8 stations including several choices of pizza, side dishes, drinks, and desserts.

Pre-paid reservations are due by April 22: society members and their guests are $20 per person; the general public cost is $25 per person. Payments can be made online by way of donation, clicking HERE or by check sent to Lincoln Park Historical Society 1335 Southfield Rd Lincoln Park MI 48146

All online payments/reservations will be acknowledged.

For information or questions, please contact us at the museum office 313-386-3137 or lpmuseum@gmail.com

On March 2, 2023, Lincoln Park lost one of its major supporters and its longest resident, Muriel Lobb, at the age of 105. Muriel moved to Lincoln Park from southwest Detroit with her family at age 4, shortly after the village of Lincoln Park’s incorporation in 1921, and lived her entire life in this community. Muriel was a true witness to history - and older than Lincoln Park itself, which celebrated its centennial in 2021, four years after she observed her own 100th birthday. Muriel had even outlived her life-long church, First Methodist Church of Lincoln Park, which closed its doors in 2016.

The Historical Society will be hosting a memorial-celebration of life reception for Muriel Lobb who served as the museum’s longest director until her retirement in 2014. The reception will be held here at the museum on Sunday, March 26th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. along with a special display in tribute to Muriel’s life.

Many of our long-time members have known Muriel well and are aware of her many decades of service to the museum and to the Lincoln Park community.  Most folks also know that the Lobb family operates the Flowers by Lobb florist shop on Fort Street. The business was begun in 1929 by Clinton Knoch, Muriel’s father, who operated the shop until his retirement in the 1950s. At that time Ed Lobb, Muriel’s husband, became owner/operator, followed later by their son, Dan Lobb. Today, Flowers by Lobb is a fourth generation family business under owner and operator, Amy Lobb Larion, Muriel’s granddaughter.

The family has suggested that memorial gifts in Muriel's name be made to the "Lincoln Park Historical Society" or to any cancer organization of your choosing.  While Muriel was blessed with living a long, robust and healthy life, she did outlive her three children - Dan, Jeanne and Ron - who were each felled by cancer. 

 We hope many of Muriel’s friends can join with us and members of her family to celebrate the life of this amazing woman. A Memorial Book, which will remain on view, will allow for memories and stories of Muriel's life and work that anyone might wish to share.