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Wayne Kramer
1948 - 2024
Wayne Kramer
1948 - 2024
Obituary
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BORN
1948
DIED
2024
Wayne Kramer Obituary
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.
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(Photo: Chris McKay/Getty Images)
8 Entries
Mark Aulenbacher
February 20, 2024
remember Wayne a Great guitarist and cool music
i miss him
John Means
February 10, 2024
Rest on Power Brother ! Love you
Del Breckenfeld
February 6, 2024
Growing up in Chicago, I first saw Wayne and MC5 perform with Iggy & the Stooges in support of the street protests at the Democratic Convention in 1968. The band was incredibly powerful and I'll never forget the show! Years later I had the privilege of getting to know Wayne when I was marketing director at Fender Guitars where we worked on his famous "Stars & Stripes" Stratocaster that I remembered from those early days. A sweet and humble gentleman who had such a charitable heart with all the good work he did - I will always miss him, but grateful for the time I knew him.....
Jeremy Haile
February 6, 2024
I met Brother Wayne Kramer as a congressional staffer in 2009. Wayne was working the halls of Capitol Hill advocating for criminal justice reform. He came to our office because he wanted to host a concert inside an Austin, TX, jail as part of the launch of his righteous charity Jail Guitar Doors. Helping Wayne (and his wife Margaret) connect with the local sheriff, and joining the event, was one of the great honors of my life. Seeing Wayne minister to the incarcerated people at Travis County Correctional Complex inspired me to pursue a career in criminal justice reform -- just one of the countless lives he transformed through music and service. Wayne is a towering figure in rock, but I'll remember him most for his work to rehabilitate and save lives of people in prison. Thank you, Brother Wayne, we love you and always will.
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John Bellas
February 6, 2024
I consider myself as a major fan of the "five" having seen them numerous times including the DKT era. I met Wayne a few years ago and was impressed how down to earth he was and respectful. For someone who had his share of life's issues he did much good as a person, husband and father. Life shouldn't be always about record sales and points scored.
Cousin Dan
February 6, 2024
I'd like to say first off, as a big fan of Wayne and all his music it has been a tremendous influence and great honor to share this planet with him.
I met Wayne back in 2004 on the DKT/mc5 tour at the Phoenix concert hall in Toronto.
I was out back having a smoke when I turned around and saw Wayne come out.
I was very stunned actually. We made eye contact and I respectively walked over to him and shook his hand. He was cool and and very approachable.
I went through the 'I'm a big fan' etc talk and began to tell him that I had an uncle who played in a band called the Blues Train, and who had played the Grande a couple times with his band. Uncle Dave still has the poster.
But as we talked, I felt like Wayne was really listening, and what has stuck with me after all these years, is he looked into my eyes and said, 'make sure to give your uncle lots of love for me'...
I thought my heart was gonna melt.
I was left speechless and didn't really know what else to say. We then said our goodbyes, quick hug, hand shake and that was it.
Sometimes when people meet their idols it can go either way. When I met Wayne that cool day in Toronto, it went the good way. I like believe it's because he was, one of the good guys.
Thank you Wayne Kramer.
All my best to his family and friends.
Love, Cousin Dan...
Deryk Kucharski
February 6, 2024
My father was Super fan of the MC5. Mr Kramer did something that meant alot to me during the pandemic time. I pray for his spirit and send lots of love to his family. RIP \m/
JANE RICE
February 5, 2024
The MC5 were a pivotal part of the Detroit rock scene and whereever I went the Eastown, the Crows Nest East or an outdoor festival such as Tarter Fields the MC5 played for Detroiters I shall always remember.
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