Sad news. Apparently Wayne was stricken with pancreatic cancer. The most pernicious of afflictions as it presents only at stage IV or worse. As we age, I can only advise y'all to get regular checkups. I ignored a weird burning back pain for many months that turned out to be stage III multiple myeloma.
RIP Brother Wayne Kramer. Launched lotsa musical boats with the MC5.
NOW For My Wayne Kramer Story
In 1980, I was in a punk band in Ann Arbor, MI called The State. We were ok, had a few decent gigs but weren't all that remarkable. We were offered an opening spot with Wayne Kramer and Johnny Thunders'
GANG WAR at the VFW Hall on Liberty St. "Cool!" We said.
We showed up and banged out a sound check. Johnny Thunders was already there and was friends with the sandwich band btw us and
GANG WAR. I don't recall their name.
Anyhow, we banged out an insignificant set of noxious tones and we're stage-managed off, the 2nd band banged away and then came
GANG WAR.
By this time Johnny was
blitzed! I mean, w a s t e d ! Stumbling, barely standing. He plugged in and he and Wayne started with
Ramblin' Rose. The same one we enjoy from the MC5's
Kick Out th' Jams! Wayne was taking the gig seriously and sounded like Wayne. Johnny was making noxious guitar sounds while being propped up by advocates. During the show, Wayne would walk over and just turn Thunders' amp OFF! This was hilarious to all of us as Johnny would then rake away, drunkenly look down at his guitar, and then his amp, and realize, something was off. He'd turn it back on and commence with the fork in the garbage disposal guitaring again...until Wayne shut him off again.
We felt for Wayne and the rest of the band having to suffer this but, it
was entertainment.
Attached is a blurry promo from a show a few days later down the street. I have a few of these in a box.
