Wayne Kramer

Wayne Kramer (born April 30, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and film and TV composer. Kramer came to prominence as a teenager in 1967 as a co-founder of the Detroit rock group MC5 (Motor City 5), a group known for their powerful live performances and radical left-wing political stance. The MC5 broke up amidst drug abuse and personal problems, leading to several fallow years for Kramer, who battle... more

Wayne Kramer (born April 30, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and film and TV composer. Kramer came to prominence as a teenager in 1967 as a co-founder of the Detroit rock group MC5 (Motor City 5), a group known for their powerful live performances and radical left-wing political stance. The MC5 broke up amidst drug abuse and personal problems, leading to several fallow years for Kramer, who battled drug addiction before returning to an active recording and performing schedule in the '90s. Rolling Stone recognizes Kramer as one of the top 100 guitarists of all time. The MC5 often played at Detroit's famous Grande Ballroom and was managed by John Sinclair, a radical left-wing writer and co-founder of the White Panther Party, until 1970 when Jon Landau took over creative management of the group. After MC5's demise, Kramer spent several years committing crimes and battling drug addictions. In 1975, he was caught selling cocaine to... less