A drive via the fundraising website Kickstarter aimed to raise $27,000 to finance the release of "MC5: A True Testimonial," a documentary about the storied Ann Arbor/Detroit rock band. Although the movie was completed in 2002 and received strong reviews in film festival screenings, legal disputes over rights to the music held up a formal release for years. With those disputes settled, the only thing standing in the way now is financing.

But the Kickstarter drive ended this morning with just over half the goal raised: 166 supporters pledged $13,945 of the $27,000 target. The failure to meet the goal means the project is not funded. The money would have gone toward both a theatrical and DVD release.

Freddie Brooks, a Detroit music producer who has been working to get the movie released, said earlier: "Either we reach the funding goal, the film's freed and the nightmare's over, or we don't, all pledges are canceled and the film remains in limbo.”

Starting in Detroit, the MC5 relocated to Ann Arbor in the late 1960s. The band members grew into legends due to their high-energy, pile-driving music — most notably, "Kick Out the Jams," featuring a famously profane opening line — as well as their politics. Activist John Sinclair was their manager, and they were affiliated with the White Panther Party.

The MC5 consisted of Rob Tyner, vocals; Fred "Sonic" Smith and Wayne Kramer, guitars; Dennis Thompson, drums; and Michael Davis, bass. The band was most famously associated with Detroit's legendary concert hall the Grande Ballroom. The MC5 broke up in 1972, but is often cited as an influence by current rock acts.

Bob Needham is director of entertainment content for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at bobneedham@annarbor.com or 734-623-2541, and follow him on Twitter @bobneedham.