Current:Home > FinanceGuitarist Wayne Kramer, founding member of the MC5, dead at 75-LoTradeCoin
Guitarist Wayne Kramer, founding member of the MC5, dead at 75
View Date:2024-12-23 20:28:14
Wayne Kramer, the influential guitarist from the seminal garage rock band the MC5 has died at 75, according to his Instagram page.
Kramer's social page did not provide additional details about the cause of his death, but noted the prominent performer passed away on Friday.
Kramer and the MC5's Fred "Sonic" Smith were both among Rolling Stone's 2010 list of all-time top 100 guitarists. They "funneled Sun Ra's sci-fi jazz through twin howitzers. Together they staked out a vision for hard rock that felt ecstatic, giddy, boundless," the outlet's David Fricke wrote.
The band, initially active from the late 1960s to early 1970s, were politically active and used music to deliver a revolutionary message. They were managed for a time by White Panther co-founder John Sinclair and joined him at the 1968 Democratic Convention.
The MC5 did not achieve commercial success and broke up in 1972 but their influence lives on through generations of musicians who were inspired by the group's attitude and sound. Led Zeppelin, The Clash and Rage Against the Machine are among bands influenced by the MC5.
"Their legacy as radical rockers and punk progenitors lives on," Rolling Stone declared in naming the MC5 – the name stood for "Motor City Five" – among rock & roll's rebels.
Smith, who had a long history of legal battles and substance abuse, would tell his story – including a two-year stint in prison on a cocaine-dealing charge – in the 2018 memoir “The Hard Stuff: Dope, Crime, the MC5, and My Life of Impossibilities.”
Also at that time, Kramer and drummer Dennis Thompson, the only surviving member of the band, reunited for a MC50 anniversary tour and they were joined by younger musicians influenced by the MC5 including guitarist Kim Thayil (Soundgarden), drummer Brendan Canty (Fugazi), bassist Doug Pinnick (King's X) and towering, 6-foot-7 singer Marcus Durant (Zen Guerrilla).
Beyond celebrating the 50th anniversary of "Kick Out the Jams," Kramer felt the need to bring the music to life again.
“The message of the MC5 has always been the sense of possibilities: a new music, a new politics, a new lifestyle,” Kramer said in a statement. “Today, there is a corrupt regime in power, an endless war thousands of miles away, and uncontrollable violence wracking our country. It’s becoming less and less clear if we’re talking about 1968 or 2018. I’m now compelled to share this music I created with my brothers 50 years ago. My goal is that the audience leaves these concerts fueled by the positive and unifying power of rock music.”
Kramer had planned to release a new MC5 album in early 2024, he told Mojo in December 2023. Among those involved Tom Morello, Don Was, Vernon Reid and Slash.
The music wasn't going to be the same as that seminal and influential rock album, considered among the greatest ever. " It’s not the same. We are not living in 1968. We’re in the era that we’re in, and one has to address that. In all art, you have to answer the question: so what? Why should I care? Because I made the best music I possibly could. "
Contributing: The Associated Press.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- Are Dancing with the Stars’ Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber Living Together? She Says…
- Taylor Swift dedicates acoustic song to Stevie Nicks in Dublin: ‘She's a hero of mine’
- Houston LGBT+ Pride Festival and Parade 2024: Route, date, time and where to watch events
- Thousands attend annual EuroPride parade in Greek city of Thessaloniki amid heavy police presence
- Why Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams May Be Rejoining the George R.R. Martin Universe
- Lorde, Charli XCX’s viral moment and the truth about friendship breakups
- US Olympic gymnastics trials recap: Fred Richard wins; who made team?
- TikTok is shocked at these hilarious, unhinged text messages from boomer parents
- Kennesaw State football coach Brian Bohannon steps down after 10 seasons amid first year in FBS
- Should gun store sales get special credit card tracking? States split on mandating or prohibiting it
Ranking
- GM recalling big pickups and SUVs because the rear wheels can lock up, increasing risk of a crash
- Trump mocks Biden over debate performance, but says it's not his age that's the problem
- BET Awards 2024: See the Complete List of Winners
- Horoscopes Today, June 28, 2024
- Repair Hair Damage In Just 90 Seconds With This Hack from WNBA Star Kamilla Cardoso
- NASCAR at Nashville 2024: Start time, TV, streaming, lineup for Ally 400
- Martin Mull, beloved actor known for Fernwood 2 Night, Roseanne and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, dies at 80
- Florida tourist hub has most drownings in US
Recommendation
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Good Try (Freestyle)
-
Nico Ali Walsh says he turned down opportunity to fight Jake Paul
-
Temporary clerk to be appointed after sudden departures from one Pennsylvania county court
-
Horoscopes Today, June 29, 2024
-
The Daily Money: Inflation is still a thing
-
Trump Media stock price down more than 10% after days-long rebound in continued volatility
-
4 killed after law enforcement pursuit ends in crash; driver suspected of DUI
-
India wins the Twenty20 World Cup in a thrilling final against South Africa