Wayne Kramer, the legendary guitarist and co-founder of the influential protopunk band MC5, has passed away at the age of 75. His death, caused by pancreatic cancer, occurred on Friday at Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles.
Kramer, along with his bandmates Fred 'Sonic' Smith, Rob Tyner, Michael Davis, and Dennis 'Machine Gun' Thompson, formed the MC5 in Detroit during the late 1960s. Managed by White Panther co-founder John Sinclair, the band became known for their raw and uncompromising music, embracing the revolutionary spirit of the time. Their hardcore anthems, including the iconic 'Kick Out the Jams,' have left a lasting impact on the music industry, influencing artists such as the Clash and Rage Against the Machine.
