Wayne Kramer, MC5 Co-Founder, Dies at 75
Wayne Kramer, co-founder of the MC5, has died. He was 75.
Kramer’s death was confirmed via his Instagram. The post was captioned, “Wayne S. Kramer. ‘PEACE BE WITH YOU.’ April 30, 1948-February 2, 2024.” A cause of death wasn’t disclosed.
Kramer formed the MC5 with fellow guitarist Fred “Sonic” Smith back in 1963. The classic lineup of the MC5 featured Kramer, Smith, singer Rob Tyner, bassist Michael Davis and drummer Dennis Thompson. Sadly, Thompson is the one member from the classic lineup still alive. Tyner died in 1991 at age 46. Smith died in 1994 at age 46. Davis died in 2012 at age 68.
The MC5 remains one of the most influential hard rock bands of all time. Their live debut — 1969’s Kick Out the Jams — and their two studio albums — 1970’s Back in the USA and 1971’s High Time — remain essential listening.
The MC5 has been eligible for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame since 1992. They have been nominated a total of six times — 2003, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022 — but have yet to be inducted.
Tom Morello Pays Tribute to Kramer
Shortly after news of his death, Tom Morello took to Instagram to pay tribute to Kramer. He wrote, in part, “Brother Wayne Kramer was the best man I’ve ever known. He possessed a one-of-a-kind mixture of deep wisdom & profound compassion, beautiful empathy and tenacious conviction. His band, the MC5, basically invented punk rock music and was the only act to not chicken out and performed for the rioting protestors at the 1968 Dem National Convention.”
Morello added, ” Wayne came through personal trials of fire with drugs and jail time and emerged a transformed soul who went on to save countless lives through his tireless acts of service. He and his incredible wife Margaret founded @jailguitardoorsusa, which founds music programs in prisons as life-changing, effective rehabilitation. I’ve played with Wayne in prisons and watched him transform lives, he was just unbelievable.”
He further noted, “Wayne had a soft heart but was also Detroit tough as nails. A couple of months ago (at 75 years old), Wayne beat the crap out of an intruder in his home that menaced his family. And whenever any charity or union or human rights activist event was coming up, Wayne would always heed the call. ALWAYS.”
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