Editing MC5 (section)

===1972–1991: Disbandment and post-break up===
Both ''Back in the USA'' and ''High Time'' lost money for Atlantic Records, which dropped the band.  Early in 1972, the band toured Europe, playing dates in England including Cambridge with [[Syd Barrett]]'s band [[Stars (British band)|Stars]] and Canterbury with former [[T.Rex (band)|Tyrannosaurus Rex]] percussionist [[Steve Peregrin Took]], as well as a TV session in Bremen, Germany for ''[[Beat Club]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://makemyday.free.fr/mc5calendar.htm#72|title=MC5 Concert Dates|author=A Square 333|website=makemyday.free.fr}}</ref>

On February 13, 1972, Michael Davis left the band (he was using [[heroin]] and was all but forced out by the others), and was replaced by a series of bassists (Steve Moorhouse, Derek Hughes, and Ray Craig). The remaining members recorded three new songs—"Gold" (also known as "Gold Rush"), "Train Music" and "Inside Out"—in London shortly afterwards for the soundtrack of a film called ''Gold.'' This was the band's final recording session.

The group continued on a little while longer, eventually reduced to Kramer, Smith, and Tyner touring and playing with Ritchie Dharma on drums and Derek Hughes on bass, playing R&B covers as much as their original material.

MC5 reunited for a farewell show on December 31, 1972 at the Grande Ballroom. The venue that had only a few years before hosted over a thousand eager fans now had a few dozen people. Distraught and also in the throes of drug addiction, Kramer left the stage after only a few songs. The group disbanded not long after the event.

In 1973 [[Fred "Sonic" Smith]] formed a new group called Ascension, consisting of Smith on guitar, Thompson on drums, Davis on piano, and to replace Davis on bass a local working bass player, John Hefty, was brought in. They assembled a set of mostly original music and a few R&B and rock covers. Smith said the name Ascension symbolized the music and the band ascending to new heights and in new directions. They brought in a new manager, Chato Hill. They played only a few live performances and disbanded after less than a year. One live recording was made but never edited or released.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}

After this, Smith formed a new group called [[Sonic's Rendezvous Band]], married singer [[Patti Smith]], retired from music to raise a family, and died in 1994. Sonic's Rendezvous Band released only the "City Slang" single during their initial time as a group, though later recordings were released posthumously, and a reconstituted Rendezvous Band (including original member [[Scott Morgan (musician)|Scott Morgan]], of [[The Rationals]] and a newly added [[Deniz Tek]] of [[Radio Birdman]]) reunited in tribute, years afterward. Smith also co-produced his wife's 1988 album [[Dream of Life]] and co-wrote all the songs with her, including the single "[[People Have the Power]]."

[[Wayne Kramer]] recruited Mark Manko on rhythm guitar, Tim Schafe on bass, Bob Schultz on organ, and Frank Lowenberg on drums for a new lineup of the MC5 in 1974, with Kramer singing most of the vocals. He also made scattered appearances on other people's records before being incarcerated from 1975 through 1978 for drug offenses. While in federal prison in Kentucky, he was unexpectedly reunited with MC5 bassist Michael Davis, also behind bars on a drug charge. After he was released in 1979, Kramer went on to play with the bands [[Was (Not Was)]] with [[Don Was]] and Gang War with [[Johnny Thunders]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/the_untold_story_of_wayne_kramers_iconic_stars__stripes_stratocaster.html|title=The Untold Story of Wayne Kramer's Iconic Stars & Stripes Stratocaster|author=Beckner, Justin|work=Ultimate Guitar|date=August 31, 2023}}</ref> Kramer worked straight jobs for several years and focused on kicking drugs. By the early 1990s, he returned to the music industry and subsequently released several well-received albums.

Rob Tyner performed under his own name for many years but also performed under "The New MC5" for some live gigs for a brief period. He also collaborated with [[Eddie and the Hot Rods]], releasing a 7" with them in 1979. During the mid-1980s, Tyner produced a single for Detroit band Vertical Pillows, and occasionally made brief guest appearances during some of their live shows, singing MC5 covers. Tyner became a successful producer, manager and promoter in Detroit, and released the warmly-reviewed ''Blood Brothers'' album in 1990, a year before his death in September 1991.<ref name="NME Rock 'N' Roll Years">{{cite book
| first= John
| last= Tobler
| year= 1992
| title= NME Rock 'N' Roll Years
| edition= 1st
| publisher= Reed International Books Ltd
| location= London
| page= 488
| id= CN 5585}}</ref>

Michael Davis joined Detroit band [[Destroy All Monsters (band)|Destroy All Monsters]] for several years in the late 70s /early 80s; the band broke up in 1983. Dennis Thompson played with various bands, including [[The New Order (band)|The New Order]], [[New Race]], The Motor City Bad Boys, and The Secrets.