Lux Interior, frontman of The Cramps, passed away today in Glendale, CA of an existing heart condition. Lux formed The Cramps in 1973 with his wife lead guitarist Poison Ivy.
Although The Cramps came up on the whole CBGBs & Max’s Kansas City punk scene, their rockabilly-influenced groove about sex, horror movies and trashy americana really set them apart from their contemporaries. They are widely regarded for having paved the way for the whole Psychobilly movement.
Lux Interior was famous for his Iggy Pop-esque self-harming stage antics, getting weirder than anyone in bizarre outfits with a head full of drugs. If you ever had a chance to see The Cramps live, you saw first hand what an truly amazing performer and entertainer Lux was.
When I saw The Cramps play, Lux was wearing shades the whole time, and I still can remember him saying: “It’s never too dark to be cool!” Lux, I’m sure you’re having more fun now that you’re below ground, so rock on!
The Cramps live at Napa State Mental Hospital in 1984. “The Way I Walk”. Rad.
