I found out about this the other day and finally had a chance to sit down and write something…
The Cramps lead man Lux Interior passed away on 02/04/09 from an existing heart condition. This is a huge loss in the music world regardless if you know who the Cramps are or not. This band has influenced many bands from the Horrorpops to the White Stripes and have been credited with staring a new genre of music.
The Cramps were a garage punk band that incorporated heavy doses of rockabilly into their style. Their music had been credited with kick starting the psychobilly genre as well as garage punk. Their lyrical content was not for the faint of hear with references revolved around sexy innuendos, horror movies, humor, and white trash America. The live shows were erratic, raunchy, and mostly unforgettable.
Lux Interior (born in Stow, OH) started the band with his wife Poison Ivy in 1973 and were part of the CBGBs punk movement from the get go. The two met during their young travels, got hitched, and do what every American married couple does…head to NYC and form a punk band. Although Lux Interior and Poison Ivy were the only solid standing members, the band put out over a dozen releases in over twenty years.
I am saddened by the loss of one of the great pioneers of the punk rock movement and really feel left out that not once in my life did I have the opportunity to view them live. Thankfully there are folk out there who have seen The Cramps like and I am sure will be posting their memories throughout the internet.
Here is the official press release from The Cramps’ media, Girlie Action:
For Immediate Release:
February 4, 2009
Lux Interior, lead singer of The Cramps, passed away this morning due to an existing heart condition at Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, California at 4:30 AM PST today. Lux has been an inspiration and influence to millions of artists and fans around the world. He and wife Poison Ivy’s contributions with The Cramps have had an immeasurable impact on modern music.
The Cramps emerged from the original New York punk scene of CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, with a singular sound and iconography. Their distinct take on rockabilly and surf along with their midnight movie imagery reminded us all just how exciting, dangerous, vital and sexy rock and roll should be and has spawned entire subcultures. Lux was a fearless frontman who transformed every stage he stepped on into a place of passion, abandon, and true freedom. He is a rare icon who will be missed dearly.
The family requests that you respect their privacy during this difficult time.
Lux Interior many have passed but his memories will last forever. My heart goes out to his wife and friends during this period of time.
If you have never heard a Cramps song before check out the video:
It reminds me a lot of Elvis, Johnny Cash, and is damn well amazing.
RIP Lux, you will be missed.