I'm practically speechless... ANOTHER hero gone and we're only 35 days into 2009! W... T... F.
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.
The Cramps are one of those bands who I was obsessed with at one point in my life... By my count I saw the band at least 4x, all of which were either one of their annual Halloween or New Year's Eve shows in San Francisco. Who can forget Lux onstage... climbing up onto the PA stacks... crawling around on all fours... wearing pumps... his mic jammed into his mouth.
My favorite Cramps show was probably Halloween 1993.. when they were billed as Creatures From The Black Leather Lagoon at Bimbo's...
The Cramps on Halloween was always the perfect thing.. and on this night the pit down front was pretty rollicking. At one point a guy dressed as a beer can jumped into the pit but he soon disappeared from sight. After awhile something shot up into the air and landed onstage at Lux's feet: It was the guy's beer can costume. Lock 'N Loll!
For the record, Umlaut's favorite Cramps song is 'Hot Pearl Snatch'... CRANK IT.
R.I.P. Lux... and Dog Bless you Poison Ivy.
