Punk rocker Lux Interior of the Cramps dies at 60
Last Updated: Thursday, February 5, 2009 | 9:41 AM ET Comments8Recommend15
The Associated Press
Lux Interior (Erick Purkheiser) of the Cramps was at the forefront of punk in New York in the 1970s. (Karl Walter/Getty Images) Punk pioneer Lux Interior, co-founder and lead singer of the Cramps, has died, according to the band's publicist.
Interior, whose real name was Erick Lee Purkheiser, died Wednesday at age 60 of a pre-existing heart condition at a hospital in Glendale, Calif., according to a statement from the band's publicist Aleix Martinez.
Interior met his future wife Kristy Wallace — who would later take the stage name Poison Ivy — in California in 1972.
The pair moved to New York and started the Cramps with Interior on lead vocals and Ivy on guitar. The group became an essential part of the late '70s early punk scene centred at the Manhattan clubs CBGB and Max's Kansas City.
Their unmistakable sound was a lo-fi synthesis of rockabilly and surf guitar staged with a dose of midnight-movie camp. Many of the lyrics reflected their love of B movies.
The pair became known for gender-bending costumes and decadent live performances.
"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," said the statement from Martinez.
:tombstone::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:
Last Updated: Thursday, February 5, 2009 | 9:41 AM ET Comments8Recommend15
The Associated Press
Interior, whose real name was Erick Lee Purkheiser, died Wednesday at age 60 of a pre-existing heart condition at a hospital in Glendale, Calif., according to a statement from the band's publicist Aleix Martinez.
Interior met his future wife Kristy Wallace — who would later take the stage name Poison Ivy — in California in 1972.
The pair moved to New York and started the Cramps with Interior on lead vocals and Ivy on guitar. The group became an essential part of the late '70s early punk scene centred at the Manhattan clubs CBGB and Max's Kansas City.
Their unmistakable sound was a lo-fi synthesis of rockabilly and surf guitar staged with a dose of midnight-movie camp. Many of the lyrics reflected their love of B movies.
The pair became known for gender-bending costumes and decadent live performances.
"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," said the statement from Martinez.
:tombstone::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:
