Wayne, you were way, way ahead of your time as a young guitarist (I actually was fortunate enough to have seen you play in 1970 or 1971 at an MC5 gig in PA with the Amboy Dukes). What impressed me most about your playing was your excellent vibrato and articulate picking going straight into a Marshall head- I know how tough that is, a guitarist has to really be able to be have his chops together to pull that off. Very few guitarists were at that level in the late 60's or early 70's. Nowadays with so many effects in guitar chains, truly great playing based on coordination between brain, fingers and guitar is rare indeed. Anyway, to your credit, you indeed are channeling some tough experiences into something positive to influence other people. It made me ask myself what am I doing to affect any positive change in this world? Thank you, and good on you.
Being someone who’s dealt with heroin addiction and served time in prison, this is such an amazing thing! Most prisoners need soul level healing and learning to express through music is a soul level healing. Instead of bringing the outside in, we learn to bring the inside out and the healing occurs.
A native son of Detroit who messed up, hit the bottom, but came back up and is now a contributor to a clear mindset for what's left of America. I love this guy. Saw him a number of times at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit with the MC5. Along with Cub Koda, I think Wayne and the 5 were about the best things that ever came out of my hometown.
Wayne Kramer is a Rock n Roll God. and helped pioneer rock. Society fucked him, he should be angry. Glad he's surviving and doing something to help others.
Wayne had a hand in his own fucking, and he freely admits this. He seems centered and ready to affect change and that's good. . . Not just unfocused anger.
I feel like he was a rock god but also probably a wild douchebag back in the day (not a bad thing) but by this interview his ego is more tamed to make it seem he was a defiant youth just screwed by the system.
I recently found some video of you playing live. The Rose song you sang while playing was cool. But the best part was you slinging your guitar around and then the slide sideways was freaking totally badass!! Everytime I'm in a lousy mood I watch that video and changes my attitude.
How he does those riffs for that 1970 show is just beyond belief. Even good drugs can't make you THAT good. Must have been...what do they call it?...oh, yeah. Talent.
Wayne Kramer is a great man. Pretty good artist too. I wish his fellow MC5 band mates were still around. I know a couple died in the early 90s. Way to young.
Rob Tyner (December 12, 1944 - September 18, 1991), aged 46 - vocals Fred “Sonic” Smith (September 14, 1948 - November 4, 1994), aged 46 - 2nd lead guitar Michael Davis (June 5, 1943 - February 17, 2012), aged 68 - bass Wayne Kramer (April 30, 1948 - present) - lead guitar Dennis Thompson (September 7, 1948 - present) - drums, also known as Machine Gun and MGT. My older brother turned me onto the MC5 in 1969. How lucky am I? I started moving. I started jumpin’. I been jumpin’ ever since that day. Yeah!
WAYNE, IS A MAN WHO HAS WITNESSED THE WORLD OF UP'S AND DOWNS, A MAN WHO TELLS IT LIKE IT IS, A MAN OF TRUTH, I ADMIRE HIM FOR BEING HONEST IN HIS WORDS, AND HE PLAYS A GREAT GUITAR, HE WENT TO MY HIGH SCHOOL IN LINCOLN PARK MICHIGAN, I WISH HIM THE BEST, HE IS A BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER, KEEP ON ROCKIN MAN, COUSIN FIGEL
Very moving interview! We love you Wayne Kramer! I used to listen the MC5 when I was younger, especially "Kick out the jam" It is such a powerful live album! I wasn't aware of your story!
Wayne Kramer is one of the last living guitar warriors - this man is authentic. He really can change the world with his guitar. I would love to talk with him to thank him.
One of those bands that were not just "entertainment" and put the spark of revolution in many of us ,even if it's like that old zen tale of the monk with the spoon beginning to move a mountain.Music is revolution, even in jail ! Thanks Wayne K. and MC5 !
wayne at mc5 years was the ultimate absolute undisputable rock symbol of all times. his uncontrollable passion for life and music brought him all the good and bad things that go with living such a completely rock life. I am so happy he is now so gracefully mature and complete but i am also thrilled he is still that incredible mc5 boy at heart.
His recently-released autobiography is well worth the reading. No punches pulled, including the ones where he hits himself in the face full blast. Kickin' out the jams, indeed...
A man walks many paths in life we all make mistakes. I try not judge with the expectation of murders and pedophiles. This man went to edge and paid a price by going to prison His debt is paid he is bringing a powerful tool to help mend souls . I think it's terrific that he has implemented this program. Life isnt about the tragedies and loss its about how your rebound and heal and move on as tough as that maybe Wayne I would love to contact you. Your music that was produced in Mc 5 is inspiring. Keep on bringing music to help people mend.
Let's also give great respect to Billy Bragg, he's a real hero of the working class man and a music genius who has been in my life since my troubled teens and I found comfort and understanding in his music and his message.absolutely great to see he's still working to help the damaged and broken souls of this world.thanks Billy.
"Creating something is a good argument against worthlessness"...I like that line, and so true...I know that from experience myself...never really went to prison, but did end up in the county a few times, the longest being 56 days...and yeah, what a waste, though I did write two poems during that stay...
YOU moved me WAYNE , WHAT your doing is fantastic!! NO ITS FUCKING AWSOME, and much needed !! THANK you for careing about the fucked over, and forgotten, PLAYING GUITAR, kept me alive ,gave me purpose, something to work at getting better at ,When i felt like a looser, ,and something to cry through, and scream through when i hurt ,and something to smile through when I feel good... its my best friend your giveing people best friends.. when they forgot what that even means...
In 1968(or so)in Elementary school a kid could order Scholastic books. I was already intrigued by Rock music and ordered one on the popular groups of the day. I remember looking through it and I stopped, absolutely mesmerized by a picture of a band called the MC5. It said that they were from Detroit and it alluded to them being 'Radical'! Well, I didn't get to hear them until about 1970, but I stored that mention of Detroit away. In '69 I bought the Stooges first album and kept my beady little eyes open for some weird girl named Alice Cooper. Well, by '70, I had heard the MC5, had bought ' Funhouse' and knew that Alice Cooper was a band, NOT a girl. Detroit, Michigan. I have never been there, but I have to respect the contribution it made to my Rock education.
Oh, yeah, you were one of my heroes in the '60s. I was from Detroit and then my folks moved to Cleveland, but I kept going back to Detroit for concerts because of all the great musicians there. Ted Nugent, Bob Seeger, you guys, Iggy and the Stooges, the list goes on and on. There was so much excitement in the air all the time. I think I saw you at the Grande but it might have been Cobo Hall. We were smoking that good hashish from Windsor, Ontario, that was coming in. I gave it all up when I turned 30 and got married and had kids. But I was at Kent State University when they shot four of my friends and wounded 9 others. I was at the Democratic Convention in 68 when the cops went crazy and started beating us all. I went to jail many times for stupid stuff like "loitering," and "disorderly conduct," even jaywalking. Cops cut my long hair off once and they all laughed about it and had a good time. I'm retired now but those years, from about '68 to '72 were soooooooo intense. We stopped the Viet Nam war eventually, and we hated Nixon! I wish you many years of peace until we all meet up at the "End of the Line," as Tom Petty sang.
If he wants to make some restitution he and his junkie roadie can give me back my vintage Gibson Firebird Guitar that they stole out of the guitar case at Denny McLains Electric Circus, when we did a show with Wayne Kramers band around 1972. That guitar would be worrth $15, 000 today.
ej nolan "golly let's see. my life is screwed up from a lifetime of overindulging and pigs breathing down my neck!15 grand you say my former roadie swiped? who do i make it out to?"
The fact that Kramer and not to be forgotten, Scott Morgan, are not really very well known. If you compare the impact they had, with the knowledge of them. It just kills me. This is wise words to me.
I'm 76 and in the 60's it was commonly accepted that imprisoning people who loudly disagreed...was a cool idea...the constitution was tossed out and wire taps were used without any oversight by judges etc...widespread abuse followed...we may see this again.
2:40 I can't reconcile this. "I got myself together in prison, I was a good guy, but prison didn't do it for me" Prison sounds like hell on earth to me, but somehow, it sounds like prison helped him, at least on some level.
Drugs & Alcohol will do it. The US Prison system sucks, absolutely no rehabilitation. Wayne Kramer is a guiding light for creating musical conventions for people who have nothing. Wayne is passing the torch of confidence, empathy, concern for the US Bureau of Prisons inmates. The system is hard, he is making it better, and helping inmates overcome violence within US Bureau of Prison Walls.
Respect to Kramer, all the White Panther stuff with MC5 was cool, but it seemed to be more John Sinclair's trip. Jail guitar doors is the most radical, political thing he's been involved in and bless him n Billy Bragg for doing it. Seeing those prisoners rivited whilst Billy sang was beautiful.
Wayne, you were way, way ahead of your time as a young guitarist (I actually was fortunate enough to have seen you play in 1970 or 1971 at an MC5 gig in PA with the Amboy Dukes). What impressed me most about your playing was your excellent vibrato and articulate picking going straight into a Marshall head- I know how tough that is, a guitarist has to really be able to be have his chops together to pull that off. Very few guitarists were at that level in the late 60's or early 70's. Nowadays with so many effects in guitar chains, truly great playing based on coordination between brain, fingers and guitar is rare indeed.
Anyway, to your credit, you indeed are channeling some tough experiences into something positive to influence other people. It made me ask myself what am I doing to affect any positive change in this world? Thank you, and good on you.
here's a man who really does something to help others, such an unsung hero. Wayne is awesome
Yes. Not like bullshit Bono
He's a genuine hero. And God bless him
The most legit heroes are unsung. Love this man.
Wayne Kramer and the MC5 are legends.
THIS
Being someone who’s dealt with heroin addiction and served time in prison, this is such an amazing thing! Most prisoners need soul level healing and learning to express through music is a soul level healing. Instead of bringing the outside in, we learn to bring the inside out and the healing occurs.
A native son of Detroit who messed up, hit the bottom, but came back up and is now a contributor to a clear mindset for what's left of America. I love this guy. Saw him a number of times at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit with the MC5. Along with Cub Koda, I think Wayne and the 5 were about the best things that ever came out of my hometown.
Love the MC5 but Detroit also gave us Jim McCarty & Jack White, just to name a couple.
The true pride of Detroit is the great Kid Rock.
termsofusepolice
BaaHahahaha
If I ever got my hands on a time machine, that's one of the places I would go - to see the MC5 at the Grande.
@@BenjWarrant You'd enjoy it, believe it. The 5, in addition to being a great band in their prime, were also extremely entertaining.
The more I learn about this man, the more I like him.
Wayne Kramer is a Rock n Roll God. and helped pioneer rock. Society fucked him, he should be angry. Glad he's surviving and doing something to help others.
+mojorayjones I totally agree. I wish Wayne well.
+mojorayjones How did society fuck him?
Wayne had a hand in his own fucking, and he freely admits this. He seems centered and ready to affect change and that's good. . . Not just unfocused anger.
Threw him in jail for getting high and fighting against the bullshit of society
I feel like he was a rock god but also probably a wild douchebag back in the day (not a bad thing) but by this interview his ego is more tamed to make it seem he was a defiant youth just screwed by the system.
I recently found some video of you
playing live. The Rose song you sang
while playing was cool. But the best part was you slinging your guitar around and then the slide sideways was freaking totally badass!! Everytime I'm in a lousy mood I watch that video and changes my
attitude.
In addition to being a gifted rock n' roll artist, Wayne Kramer is one of the most decent nicest guys on the planet.
He is contradicting himself. Looks like prison did him nothing but good.
Wayne Kramer is great, as a musician, and as a man... but then, I knew that all along... Thanks for posting this
How he does those riffs for that 1970 show is just beyond belief. Even good drugs can't make you THAT good. Must have been...what do they call it?...oh, yeah. Talent.
Outstanding Wayne. I saw the smiles on those inmates face's when they got their guitars. There's only one word that comes to mind for me. HOPE.
Learning a musical instrument is a great thing for all people. It's a skill and a passion that noone can take from you. Keep up the great work Wayne!
Wayne Kramer is a great man. Pretty good artist too. I wish his fellow MC5 band mates were still around. I know a couple died in the early 90s.
Way to young.
Rob Tyner (December 12, 1944 - September 18, 1991), aged 46 - vocals
Fred “Sonic” Smith (September 14, 1948 - November 4, 1994), aged 46 - 2nd lead guitar
Michael Davis (June 5, 1943 - February 17, 2012), aged 68 - bass
Wayne Kramer (April 30, 1948 - present) - lead guitar
Dennis Thompson (September 7, 1948 - present) - drums, also known as Machine Gun and MGT.
My older brother turned me onto the MC5 in 1969. How lucky am I?
I started moving. I started jumpin’. I been jumpin’ ever since that day. Yeah!
Thanks very much for uploading this program....Mr. Kramer is a hell of a man.
WAYNE, IS A MAN WHO HAS WITNESSED THE WORLD OF UP'S AND DOWNS, A MAN WHO TELLS IT LIKE IT IS, A MAN OF TRUTH, I ADMIRE HIM FOR BEING HONEST IN HIS WORDS, AND HE PLAYS A GREAT GUITAR, HE WENT TO MY HIGH SCHOOL IN LINCOLN PARK MICHIGAN, I WISH HIM THE BEST, HE IS A BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER, KEEP ON ROCKIN MAN, COUSIN FIGEL
Very moving interview! We love you Wayne Kramer! I used to listen the MC5 when I was younger, especially "Kick out the jam" It is such a powerful live album! I wasn't aware of your story!
Wayne Kramer is one of the last living guitar warriors - this man is authentic. He really can change the world with his guitar. I would love to talk with him to thank him.
jeremiasz rebelka yes he is..truly authentic!
Beautiful moving interview. Wayne is a true legend and survivor.
One of those bands that were not just "entertainment" and put the spark of revolution in many of us ,even if it's like that old zen tale of the monk with the spoon beginning to move a mountain.Music is revolution, even in jail ! Thanks Wayne K. and MC5 !
That Wayne Kramer is working with Billy Bragg- my heart just burst a little
What a great interview. I just read about MC5 in MOJO 60s, a magazine a friend gave me to read. It was about there time at Filmore East in 1968.
Great story! Never heard of MC5 till recently. We need to treat addiction not punish it. Peace!
Thats what we do in Portugal with great outcome
Pedro Lima Right! Thank you!
wayne at mc5 years was the ultimate absolute undisputable rock symbol of all times. his uncontrollable passion for life and music brought him all the good and bad things that go with living such a completely rock life. I am so happy he is now so gracefully mature and complete but i am also thrilled he is still that incredible mc5 boy at heart.
His recently-released autobiography is well worth the reading. No punches pulled, including the ones where he hits himself in the face full blast. Kickin' out the jams, indeed...
This guy is a class act.
A man walks many paths in life we all make mistakes. I try not judge with the expectation of murders and pedophiles. This man went to edge and paid a price by going to prison His debt is paid he is bringing a powerful tool to help mend souls . I think it's terrific that he has implemented this program. Life isnt about the tragedies and loss its about how your rebound and heal and move on as tough as that maybe Wayne I would love to contact you. Your music that was produced in Mc 5 is inspiring. Keep on bringing music to help people mend.
I seen mc5 48 years ago in Brooklyn just fabulous
You saw Mc 5.You didn't seen them...
I seen em too..!
@@davidmathews2599 shut up.
Brother Wayne ... we were always with you.
I read this in hulk hogan's voice
Wayne Kramer.. you're awesome
Agreed. Very cool guy.
thanks so much for posting this. It good to know there are people on earth like Billy and Wayne.
Let's also give great respect to Billy Bragg, he's a real hero of the working class man and a music genius who has been in my life since my troubled teens and I found comfort and understanding in his music and his message.absolutely great to see he's still working to help the damaged and broken souls of this world.thanks Billy.
thank you for what you are doing.
Thanks for all your Talent Wayne! Way ahead of your time!
Wayne is a superb guitar player..absolutely awesome.
Wayne: let the doc MC5: a true testimonial come out!
We want to watch it!
Great job, thanks, keep it up
Guitars can save the world.
Brother Wayne is the man.. Never strayed from it.. Knows who he is.. just listen.. It's not bullshit..
"Creating something is a good argument against worthlessness"...I like that line, and so true...I know that from experience myself...never really went to prison, but did end up in the county a few times, the longest being 56 days...and yeah, what a waste, though I did write two poems during that stay...
Good video, thanks for sharing
Check out Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) at 2:52!
still greatest. band EVER
Earl Dwire Man, how can you still be so judgmental and sour after watching this video?
This clip bought tears to my eyes. Thank you
Right on, brother!
The genuine smiles from the people when they get the guitars is actually beautiful
Although I lean right which is more against the establishment than many thinks. I support this cause 100% as well as Wayne Kramer..
You go Wayne. Always loved you at the Grande. You look well brother. I'm glad.
That is amazing! Good job fellas.
Damn,Dude you did fed time.I have been to Jackson prison,I was so blown away by your involvement,With how prisons treat ppl.
Did you ever hear this song? Um , yeah, its about me. lol
YOU moved me WAYNE , WHAT your doing is fantastic!! NO ITS FUCKING AWSOME, and much needed !! THANK you for careing about the fucked over, and forgotten, PLAYING GUITAR, kept me alive ,gave me purpose, something to work at getting better at ,When i felt like a looser, ,and something to cry through, and scream through when i hurt ,and something to smile through when I feel good... its my best friend your giveing people best friends.. when they forgot what that even means...
What a great guy and great program!
A good dude.
This was uplifting.
Pretty cool! I'm a former prisoner (songs on my channel) and this is great
In 1968(or so)in Elementary school a kid could order Scholastic books. I was already intrigued by Rock music and ordered one on the popular groups of the day. I remember looking through it and I stopped, absolutely mesmerized by a picture of a band called the MC5. It said that they were from Detroit and it alluded to them being 'Radical'! Well, I didn't get to hear them until about 1970, but I stored that mention of Detroit away. In '69 I bought the Stooges first album and kept my beady little eyes open for some weird girl named Alice Cooper. Well, by '70, I had heard the MC5, had bought ' Funhouse' and knew that Alice Cooper was a band, NOT a girl. Detroit, Michigan. I have never been there, but I have to respect the contribution it made to my Rock education.
@1.33 that move is the shit Wayne.
Good one.
Wayne is an extremely intelligent man. Like Wayne, I disagree with the idea of receiving a "calling", but I applaud him for what he's doing.
Good for you man. The world needs more people like you.
Wow! What an amazing power against the system you still do! Much respect!
I'm really happy I chose to watch this video.
Billy Bragg, saw him a few times, very smart guy, a modern British Dylan.
That was a very inspiring video
Oh, yeah, you were one of my heroes in the '60s. I was from Detroit and then my folks moved to Cleveland, but I kept going back to Detroit for concerts because of all the great musicians there. Ted Nugent, Bob Seeger, you guys, Iggy and the Stooges, the list goes on and on. There was so much excitement in the air all the time. I think I saw you at the Grande but it might have been Cobo Hall. We were smoking that good hashish from Windsor, Ontario, that was coming in. I gave it all up when I turned 30 and got married and had kids. But I was at Kent State University when they shot four of my friends and wounded 9 others. I was at the Democratic Convention in 68 when the cops went crazy and started beating us all. I went to jail many times for stupid stuff like "loitering," and "disorderly conduct," even jaywalking. Cops cut my long hair off once and they all laughed about it and had a good time. I'm retired now but those years, from about '68 to '72 were soooooooo intense. We stopped the Viet Nam war eventually, and we hated Nixon! I wish you many years of peace until we all meet up at the "End of the Line," as Tom Petty sang.
This is great!
He is a good person, very smart too. Young bloods should listen to him, what he says.
He was a real good human and a badass guitarist in MC5. R.I.P. Wayne
First saw MC5 at the Lincoln Park Theater 71 or 72 What fond memories
MC5 in the Hall of Fame. No one else matters
actually better for the MC5 to stay away from all the wankers in the Hall of Fame
Come on, let's be real. They messed up and failed to see the opportunity back then. But life moves on and hope they are doing well.
Im 16 years old and i saw him live.
If he wants to make some restitution he and his junkie roadie can give me back my vintage Gibson Firebird Guitar that they stole out of the guitar case at Denny McLains Electric Circus, when we did a show with Wayne Kramers band around 1972. That guitar would be worrth $15, 000 today.
remind him see what happens?
Ouch‼️
Eh, I've recovered from worse
I'd go see him and hit him up with the bill. Split the difference
ej nolan "golly let's see. my life is screwed up from a lifetime of overindulging and pigs breathing down my neck!15 grand you say my former roadie swiped? who do i make it out to?"
Such a great guy. Wayne Kramer.
Brother Wayne! 🎸
Wayne sir, you are awesome in more ways than one.
Forza Brother Wayne Kramer. Giant of a man. 👊🏽✌
The fact that Kramer and not to be forgotten, Scott Morgan, are not really very well known. If you compare the impact they had, with the knowledge of them. It just kills me. This is wise words to me.
not only did one of MC5 survive the travails of junk..but he's bringing guitars to inmates? best thing i've seen on you tube all year!
This is a role model if I ever saw one. A great heart, beaten demons and vision.
I'm 76 and in the 60's it was commonly accepted that imprisoning people who loudly disagreed...was a cool idea...the constitution was tossed out and wire taps were used without any oversight by judges etc...widespread abuse followed...we may see this again.
Rest easy Mr. Kramer, us punks love you thank you for your contribution
a VERY NICE VIDEO
thanks wayne
Absolutely correct sending young men and women to prison is a violation of humanity.
I will keep you in my prayers.may God bless you
Wayne Kramer is a man who cares... Love him as a MadMan guitarist in MC5, he is even better helping prisoners today.
If you are guitarded and you have done some time this is medicine .
Not everyone is able to turn it around Wayne. Crime equals Time. There's equality for you!
2:40
I can't reconcile this.
"I got myself together in prison, I was a good guy, but prison didn't do it for me"
Prison sounds like hell on earth to me, but somehow, it sounds like prison helped him, at least on some level.
mebeasensei You missheard. He said "I wish I could say that I got myself together in prison but--" it didn't happen that way.
OK! Thx
+TommyTwobats Then delete your post you fucking imbecile.
You are correct, prison just makes a person bitter.
Already Have.
Drugs & Alcohol will do it. The US Prison system sucks, absolutely no rehabilitation.
Wayne Kramer is a guiding light for creating musical conventions for people who have nothing. Wayne is passing the torch of confidence, empathy, concern for the US Bureau of Prisons inmates. The system is hard, he is making it better, and helping inmates overcome violence within US Bureau of Prison Walls.
Good stuff
Respect to Kramer, all the White Panther stuff with MC5 was cool, but it seemed to be more John Sinclair's trip. Jail guitar doors is the most radical, political thing he's been involved in and bless him n Billy Bragg for doing it. Seeing those prisoners rivited whilst Billy sang was beautiful.
Wonderful.
Awesome.
I just read he did 4 years! Wow!
The MC 5 were the forerunners of Punk.
Good man.
Thanks Wayne
Good stuff from a good man...
A very articulate survivor.