Wayne Kramer of MC5 passes away

[mak1203usedbemak]

Wayne Kramer, the guitarist who co-created MC5 – one of the rawest, most influential and politically engaged bands in US history – has died aged 75. His Instagram page announced the news: “Wayne S Kramer. Peace be with you. April 30 1948 – February 2 2024.”

Born and raised in Detroit, Kramer teamed with teenage friend and fellow guitarist Fred “Sonic” Smith, each of them influenced as much by free jazz as they were by R&B and rock’n’roll. Along with the frontman Rob Tyner, they made MC5 into an incendiary force in their city’s music scene, alongside peers such as the Stooges.

[Jesse]

Not a big fan, but God bless him for his life. I was blessed with 3 Grandparents who live past 75, two past 90, so it kinda skews my perception of age somewhat, but I've had a lot of friends and relatives (including my wife) die in their 50's as well. My parents are approaching 75 so I don't want to say, "yeah, well, it was his time", but the reality is that 75 IS old and when one factors in the Rock'n Roll lifestyle, well, 75 is damn near ancient. Still, it's a loss for the Rock'n Roll community and, unfortunately, this is going to be frequent news stories: Our favorite rockers passing away. And, thanks to the music industry-radio and media in general- there is no substantial next generation coming along behind them. As I pointed out in other threads, there ARE great newer Classic Rock-styled bands out there, but they are so under the radar that nobody beyond their immediate families will give a shit when THEY eventually pass away.

Anyhow, RIP Wayne Kramer, one of the last of the wild ones.

[mak1203usedbemak]

Feb 4, 2024 10:04:00 GMT -5 Jesse said:

Not a big fan, but God bless him for his life. I was blessed with 3 Grandparents who live past 75, two past 90, so it kinda skews my perception of age somewhat, but I've had a lot of friends and relatives (including my wife) die in their 50's as well. My parents are approaching 75 so I don't want to say, "yeah, well, it was his time", but the reality is that 75 IS old and when one factors in the Rock'n Roll lifestyle, well, 75 is damn near ancient. Still, it's a loss for the Rock'n Roll community and, unfortunately, this is going to be frequent news stories: Our favorite rockers passing away. And, thanks to the music industry-radio and media in general- there is no substantial next generation coming along behind them. As I pointed out in other threads, there ARE great newer Classic Rock-styled bands out there, but they are so under the radar that nobody beyond their immediate families will give a shit when THEY eventually pass away.

Anyhow, RIP Wayne Kramer, one of the last of the wild ones.

same here not a massive fan but I have MC5's Kick Out Jams album, only got because of the Album cover which thought was cool at the time, didn't play too much, might do that to see whether it's aged well.
But yeah RIP Wayne Kramer wild one for sure ... yes losing my sis at age of 66 (sadly your wife as well) seems very young compared to 75 🙏

[bucky]

Sad news…My take on Wayne Kramer…In the late 70’s Blue Oyster Cult released “Some Enchanted Evening” which I loved. I never heard the song “Kick Out the Jams” before but I loved the tune after hearing the BOC version. About a year or so later I found out a band called the MC5 originally did the tune so I bought their live debut album and as soon as I put on the vinyl I hear this long intro to the album ending with “…I give you a testimonial….The MC5!”. The band kicked in with this loud distorted hard rock sound followed by these very annoying scratchy High Pitched vocals on the tune Ramblin Rose(I thought it was awful and almost embarrassing but I continued listening)…Then I hear “…And Right Now it’s time to….KICK OUT THE JAMS,MOTHER FUCKER!!!!” Wow did that blow me away(Different Singer on this song too) & I was loving it…I continued listening to the album and didn’t really care much for anything else on it.Another year or so later I was getting more and more into Punk…& I kept reading about the MC5 so I picked up their “Back in the USA” album and liked it a lot. I then found out that lead guitarist Wayne Kramer was the singer on that awful “Ramblin Rose” song and next thing I know I was loving that tune(Incidentally that was a cover tune originally recorded by Ted Taylor and later covered by Jerry Lee Lewis) Anyways, Wayne Kramer, after going to prison for a few years for selling drugs to a Fed Kramer hooks up with ex NY Dolls guitarist Johnny Thunders who just split up with the Heartbreakers. Kramer and Thunders formed the short lived Gang War. I really grew to like Kramers guitar playing especially with the 3 MC5 albums. A few years ago Wayne Kramer jammed with Johnny Thunders and Heartbreakers guitarist Walter Lure for a few concerts along with Blondie drummer Clem Burke, and the Replacements Tommy Stinson…It was released on cd/dvd and it was a cool set(although Stinson seemed pretty out of it)… Kramer also did a tour with the MC50 as a tribute to his old band a couple of years ago… R.I.P. Wayne!

[mak1203usedbemak]

Feb 4, 2024 11:10:58 GMT -5 bucky said:

Sad news…My take on Wayne Kramer…In the late 70’s Blue Oyster Cult released “Some Enchanted Evening” which I loved. I never heard the song “Kick Out the Jams” before but I loved the tune after hearing the BOC version. About a year or so later I found out a band called the MC5 originally did the tune so I bought their live debut album and as soon as I put on the vinyl I hear this long intro to the album ending with “…I give you a testimonial….The MC5!”. The band kicked in with this loud distorted hard rock sound followed by these very annoying scratchy High Pitched vocals on the tune Ramblin Rose(I thought it was awful and almost embarrassing but I continued listening)…Then I hear “…And Right Now it’s time to….KICK OUT THE JAMS,MOTHER FUCKER!!!!” Wow did that blow me away(Different Singer on this song too) & I was loving it…I continued listening to the album and didn’t really care much for anything else on it.Another year or so later I was getting more and more into Punk…& I kept reading about the MC5 so I picked up their “Back in the USA” album and liked it a lot. I then found out that lead guitarist Wayne Kramer was the singer on that awful “Ramblin Rose” song and next thing I know I was loving that tune(Incidentally that was a cover tune originally recorded by Ted Taylor and later covered by Jerry Lee Lewis) Anyways, Wayne Kramer, after going to prison for a few years for selling drugs to a Fed Kramer hooks up with ex NY Dolls guitarist Johnny Thunders who just split up with the Heartbreakers. Kramer and Thunders formed the short lived Gang War. I really grew to like Kramers guitar playing especially with the 3 MC5 albums. A few years ago Wayne Kramer jammed with Johnny Thunders and Heartbreakers guitarist Walter Lure for a few concerts along with Blondie drummer Clem Burke, and the Replacements Tommy Stinson…It was released on cd/dvd and it was a cool set(although Stinson seemed pretty out of it)… Kramer also did a tour with the MC50 as a tribute to his old band a couple of years ago… R.I.P. Wayne!

like I said I will give it a spin after not playing a long while, thank you for giving some background story about Wayne Kramer