Wayne Kramer (1948-2024) - The Vinyl Guide Interview

A replay of our interview with Wayne Kramer (1948-2024) discussing the MC5, the recording, censorship and legacy of “Kick Out The Jams”, making “Back In The USA” and “High Time”, various controversies, “Jail Guitar Doors” and more. Which came first – the guitar or politics? Starting to play in local bands His mother’s warning for going into music Forming the MC5 Original lineup of MC5 The ethos and radicalization of MC5 The music and message of MC5 The story of AMG records and early records of MC5 Reissue of music on AMG A-Square records “Borderline / Looking At You” Memories of the Chicago Democratic National Convention – 1968 Getting signed to Elektra records by Danny Fields The Stooges got signed as their “Little Brother Band” Recording “Kick Out The Jams” Recollections of the live sets for “Kick Out The Jams” The guitar went immediately out of tune Wayne singing “Ramblin’ Rose” Rob Tyner and being censored for “Kick Out The Jams” The MC5 strategy for changing “brothers and sisters” to “Mother f*ckers” Reaction to being censored by their record label Calling out the “Hudson’s Record Store” Getting dropped from Elektra while record is still in the charts Danny Fields got slapped and fired Wayne’s reaction to the album “Kick Out The Jams” Album cover of “Kick Out The Jams” – art director put himself on cover  Transitioning to Atlantic Records was painful Hard to record “Back In The USA” Jon Landau’s wisdom and Wayne playing bass himself Critics disliked the spontaneity of MC5 Highlights of “Back in the USA” How did hard bop influence the MC5? Memories of “High Time” The fight with Bill Graham The end of the MC5 Last gasp of the MC5 in Europe The longevity and influence of MC5 The genesis of “Jail Guitar Doors” Playing for inmates with Chuck D The rehabilitation and other musicians Voyage Air Guitars donating to “Jail Guitar Doors” End of interview Help support our podcast: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0 Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8