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By BRIAN GIFFIN

WAYNE Kramer, founder and guitarist of the legendary Detroit proto-punk garage rock band MC5, has died at the age of 75.

Kramer’s Instagram page broke the news of his passing early today Australian time. No cause of death was given in the announcement.

Kramer and Fred “Sonic” Smith formed MC5 in the early 60s, gaining a reputation locally for fierce, politically-charged live performances in support of left-leaning causes. Once the line-up solidified, the band released Kick Out the Jams – recorded live – in 1969 but had broken up by the early seventies due to financial constraints and government harassment. Both their sound and stance set a template for later movements like punk and metal.

After MC5, Kramer spent time in prison following his arrest as a drug dealer. In the eighties he was part of Was (Not Was) and began work as a producer and engineer and during the nineties began a solo career, reformed MC5 several times and continued to work with other artists almost right up to the time of his death.

Image: Per Lange

 

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A post shared by Wayne Kramer (@waynekramerofficial)

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Brian Giffin

Author Brian Giffin

Brian Giffin is a metalhead, author, writer and broadcaster from the Blue Mountains in Australia. His life was changed forever after seeing a TV ad for 'The Number of the Beast' in 1982. During the 90s he wrote columns and reviews for Sydney publications On the Street, Rebel Razor, Loudmouth and Utopia Records' magazine. He was the creator and editor of the zine LOUD! which ran from 1996 until 2008, and of Loud Online that lasted from 2010 until 2023 when it unexpectedly spontaneously combusted into virtual ashes. His weekly community radio show The Annex has been going since 2003 on rbm.org.au. He enjoys heavy rock and most kinds of metal (except maybe symphonic power metal), whisk(e)y and beer.

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