Photo Credit: Jim Newberry Photography // Facebook
We are saddened to report the passing of Wayne Kramer, cofounder/guitarist-vocalist of the legendary Detroit punk group MC5. According to a social media post on Friday (2nd), the 75-year-old musician died after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
The statement read:
“Wayne Kramer passed away today peacefully from pancreatic cancer. He will be remembered for starting a revolution in music, culture, and kindness.
If you would like to honor Wayne, donations are appreciated to his nonprofit organization, Jail Guitar Doors
https://www.jailguitardoors.org/donate”
Kramer co-founded MC5 (stands for Motor City 5) as a teenager with his friend, Fred “Sonic” Smith. When activist John Sinclair became the band’s manager, the group flourished as part of the pivotal political movements in the late 60s. Despite shaping the punk rock genre and having mainstream success with albums like Kick Out the Jams, MC5 faced challenges such as being dropped by their label Elektra following a dispute with a Detroit department store.
Despite the shakeup, the group released two more albums, 1970’s Back in the USA and 1971’s High Time, before calling it quits in 1972. Kramer tried to form a new MC5 lineup in 1975 but was arrested for selling drugs to undercover cops and sentenced to four years in prison. By 1994, Kramer signed with Epitaph as a solo artist and released nearly a handful of solo records.
Kramer later reunited with surviving MC5 members and toured with bands, including Rage Against the Machine. By 2018, Kramer published a memoir.
Most recently, MC5 planned a world tour and new album, Heavy Lifting, featuring Slash, Tom Morello, Vernon Reid, William DuVall, and original MC5 drummer Dennis “Machine Gun” Thompson.
Our thoughts go with Kramer’s family and friends during this difficult time.
View this post on Instagram
Wayne Kramer from MC-5 passed away yesterday. When Fender offered his signature guitar with the US flag graphics, I had to get one! I performed “We’re an American Band” during my years in GFR with this Strat, and you saw it live with me or in my posts. RIP Wayne Kramer. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/F4q32Am0zs
— Bruce Kulick (@brucekulick) February 3, 2024
Rest in Power, @waynekramer
Wayne was a rock and roll pioneer, legend and kind soul.
We are honored to have shared the stage with him at Neverender LA.https://t.co/oscldAmOKq pic.twitter.com/zzRLOrSY91— Coheed and Cambria (@Coheed) February 3, 2024
So, one of the biggest and most important legends in Rock, brother Wayne Kramer has left us.😔 Him and his band MC5 were a vital part of the true Rock’n’Roll revolution.
I was lucky enough to open for him with my band on his MC50 UK tour in 2018. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/kOBvi7QtEP— Michael Monroe (@michaelmonroe) February 3, 2024
Grateful for the brilliance of Wayne Kramer, guitarist from Detroit legends MC5 and cherished friend. Heartfelt condolences to everyone enriched by his extraordinary spirit and music.
Photo by Wes Orshoski pic.twitter.com/GLW9CFtoVq
— Ramones (@RamonesOfficial) February 3, 2024
Credit to @cavemanvintagemusic Farewell Brother Wayne Kramer. A huge influence on so many Ann Arbor and Detroit area musicians including myself. His contribution to not only music, but very worthwhile charities such as Jail Guitar Doors should not be overlooked. Rest in…
— Slash (@Slash) February 3, 2024
Wayne Kramer & I at Sing Sing Prison on the day @JailGuitarDoors was born. Wayne embodied a combination of wisdom & compassion that was beyond inspiring. Rest in peace my dear brother. pic.twitter.com/dWqE7943LQ
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) February 3, 2024
Sad 2 hear of #WayneKramer passing… I saw the MC5 in 1969 at a festival #phuncity outside of Worthing UK. I saw the future of rock ‘n’ roll then and Wayne was definitely a big part of that. Lucky enough to play with him recently RIP pic.twitter.com/JHC9OUZFTQ
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) February 3, 2024
“I saw the MC5 a number of times. I loved them—they were great. But I always really wanted to catch them on their home turf, at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit. That’s where the real deal with them went down.” Johnny Ramone in his autobiography, COMMANDO.
RIP, Wayne Kramer.… pic.twitter.com/Kxk52HUbtD
— Johnny Ramone (@johnnyramone) February 3, 2024
RIP Wayne Kramer – legend! https://t.co/WXxo4fVYLi
— Living Colour (@LivingColour) February 2, 2024
Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Wayne Kramer-Punk Rock PIONEER,inmate rights reformer, Author. human rights activist, Anti-violence advocate. Guitar BADASS, & Major Dude. Totally Real.Always looking forward. Kicking Out Our Jams in tribute tonight in Charles Town W VA❤️🩹
— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) February 2, 2024
Rest in Peace @waynekramer . Just a supremely sweet man, and one hell of a rock and roll fire-starter. My story with WK started one day in the 90’s when we connected to do Mad For The Racket with Clem Burke, Brian James…and Wayne himself. I was in punk rock heaven around this…
— Duff McKagan (@DuffMcKagan) February 3, 2024
