I first read the news about Lux Interior's death on The Daily Swarm, in an article passed along to me by Karswell. Was it true, or was it a hoax? Rumours of the tall drink of strychnine's death had circulated before, after all, and history has shown that it takes very little effort to spread lies on the Internet. Dedicated fans seemed reluctant to believe what they had read, and said as much in their commentary. The fact that no other media sources had reported the news gave many of us reason to hope that it wasn't true.
Girlie Action, media reps for The Cramps, confirmed the death of the music icon hours later in this official statement (peeled from The Daily Swarm):
For Immediate Release:February 4, 2009
Lux Interior, lead singer of The Cramps, passed away this morning due to an existing heart condition at Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, California at 4:30 AM PST today. Lux has been an inspiration and influence to millions of artists and fans around the world. He and wife Poison Ivy’s contributions with The Cramps have had an immeasurable impact on modern music.
The Cramps emerged from the original New York punk scene of CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, with a singular sound and iconography. Their distinct take on rockabilly and surf along with their midnight movie imagery reminded us all just how exciting, dangerous, vital and sexy rock and roll should be and has spawned entire subcultures. 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.
The family requests that you respect their privacy during this difficult time.
How is one supposed to feel when one of their heroes passes on? Among the myriad of emotions moving through me now, I can't help but feel just a little bit older today. If anybody could have cracked the immortality code, I thought for sure it would have been Lux. The Cramps had been playing music since before I was born, and throughout their legendary career, they seemed ageless. The music they played with such conviction and vigor was timeless. A classic performer like Lux Interior doesn't come around very often. We were all lucky to have known him through his art.
Anopsia Radio is making the Internet a spookier place today, as they will be pumping out tunes from The Cramps repertoire all day, in honour of Lux's monumental contributions.
7 comments:
A perfect tribute Kitty... you found the all the words that I can not seem to formulate on my own right now. It's not everyday an idol of mine dies.
RIP Lux.
You are luckier than most, Dear Karswell, to have had the opportunity to play with this truly legendary band. Given that I never saw them play live, would you mind if I lived vicariously through your memories?
"No one stops recording on the fucking cramps!"
well done kitty
"If you don't like it, please leave."
Naw, we never played with them, we just shared the same management. There were talks of us going out on the road with them in '93/94, unfortunantly it never happened.
This breaks my heart. I caught them live many moons ago (I was still a teen at the time, if that's any indication) and I remember Lux teetering larger than life in a pair of fetish heels and the bassist (I don't think it was Poison Ivy) was wearing a pear over her, ummm, cha-cha. Or maybe it was Ivy, this was 18 years ago... regardless, it was an amazing show. I'm off find my cassette of Bad Music for Bad People.
hey! bianca from anopsia radio station here. just letting you know that we recently changed out website address: www.anopsia.tk please tune in when ever you feel like it :D all the best!
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