Wayne Kramer was a guitarist and one of the co-founders of MC5, a loud, politically charged rock band out of Detroit that is credited as a major precursor to what would become punk.
- Died: February 2, 2024 (Who else died on February 2?)
- Details of death: Died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 75.
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Wayne Kramer’s legacy
Kramer was still a teenager in 1967 when he co-founded MC5 in Detroit. They were regulars at the historic Grande Ballroom and briefly managed by political writer John Sinclair. Sinclair took Kramer under his wing, introducing him to experimental art forms and progressive politics before Sinclair was incarcerated for marijuana possession. The two remained close, and the band members openly embraced their political stances, making them central to their music, shows, and reputation.
The band’s 1969 debut, “Kick Out the Jams,” was a brash, aggressive scream to the world, as were the two follow-up albums. MC5 was frequently banned from radio, so the band relied on live performances to build a reputation and audience. The resulting difficulties of their politics and internal strife led to the band breaking up in 1972 without having achieved mainstream success. However, their influence loomed large over the nascent punk scene and today they are considered one of the most influential acts of the era.
Kramer faced legal troubles after the band broke up and was incarcerated in the ‘70s for selling drugs. Once released in 1979, he performed as a solo artist, worked as a carpenter, and did odd jobs while moving around the country. In the late 1990s and 2000s, Kramer returned to prominence in the music scene. He worked in production and on his solo music, performed tributes to MC5’s music and legacy with musicians like Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Kim Thayil of Soundgarden, and Brendan Canty of Fugazi, and was able to take part in a MC5’s second life as a respected and important rock band.
Tributes to Wayne Kramer
Full obituary: Variety
