by Michael T. Mena
MC5’s Wayne Kramer took the wrong exit – but then he found his way back
People can change, and for the better. This sense of optimism stares defiantly in the face of adversity. A case in point is the current erratic economy which has heaped a ton of alterations on the general public. People have modified, adapted, and survived, even thrived. Yes, people can change.
When I hear the sentiment: “people don’t change”, one person jumps to mind. My friend Wayne Kramer. Wayne is a founding member of the pioneering rock band the MC5. A band whose sonic assault laid the ground work for punk and whose anthem “Kick Out the Jams,” became a prototype that resonates as a nose-thumbing against the status quo and launched a catch phrase much hipper and more enduring than shouting: “Whipping Post,” or “Freebird.”
Wayne springs to mind because several decades ago, he made the incorrect decision of selling cocaine to a Federal Officer. This lapse of judgment lead to a three-year prison stint and was the beginning of the evolution of Wayne Kramer.
I met Wayne about 10 years ago. I was working at a now-defunct music industry trade publication called The Album Network. A co-worker named George Saadi told me Wayne was coming to see him. I’m a fan and asked George to meet him. George dropped Wayne off at my office and left to tend to other business. We hit it off right away. Just to add a little spice into our meeting, George rang me about ten minutes into Wayne’s visit. “Are you okay in there? You know, Wayne’s been to prison.” I knew George’s sense of humor and looked at Wayne and asked: “What did you go to prison for?” Wayne smiled and simply said: “George.” This was an ice breaker that initiated a friendship I value.
Doing time
I’ve asked Wayne about going to prison and was surprised by his candor. There was no shame or residue of anger in his words. He made a mistake, was caught and did his time. He also believes that going to prison saved his life. Wayne’s incarceration became the inspiration for a Clash B-side entitled: “Jail Guitar Doors.” The opening line of the song is: “Let me tell you about Wayne and his deals with cocaine.”
Wayne went to Lexington Federal Prison in 1975. He explained that he was very fortunate to be incarcerated at a time in America when rehabilitation was a genuine part of corrections and was supported with budgets and staffs who knew from experience that the only way to reduce recidivism was for prisoners to learn new skills and attitudes as tools to help them become contributing members of society.
Wayne stated: “During the time I served in federal prison, music was the one thing that connected me with life on the outside. Music also connected me with my life on the inside. It gave me refuge. The hours I spent studying and practicing were hours that my energy and attention were focused on improving myself. I was putting in the work to change my situation for the better. I was trying to be prepared for the day when I was released back to the ‘free world.’”
The evolution of Citizen Wayne is remarkable because like all of us, he continues to evolve and grow. In an era when a musician’s career is often shorter than a professional athlete’s, Wayne continues to make music. He has made solo records, collaborated with numerous musicians including Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, Slash from Guns N’ Roses, Perry Farrell from Jane’s Addition and many more. He has scored the music for numerous films and TV projects, is a sought-after sideman for artists like Marianne Faithful and has even played MC5 reunion gigs. Wayne has also performed the national anthem before NBA games. Decade after decade, Wayne continues to make a living with his guitar because he continues to evolve.
I worked with Wayne at a company called MUSICBLITZ several years ago. I commented on the diversity of his guitar playing style when he shared a conversation he had with a young musician who overheard a record producer giving Wayne direction. The youth was like: “Dude, you’re Wayne Kramer, who is this guy to tell you how to play?” Wayne’s response was: “this is the guy who’s paying me. I’ll play the way he wants.” Wayne explained that there’s a difference between selling out and getting paid.
Back on track
While it’s clear that Wayne has come out from the other side of the tunnel of corrections with numerous opportunities, he needed something else to complement his endless evolution. That something is a non-profit organization called: Jail Guitar Doors (JGD).
In 2007, to honor the life of Clash founder, Joe Strummer, Billy Bragg launched an initiative in England to provide musical equipment used to rehabilitate inmates serving time in Her Majesty’s Prisons in the United Kingdom. His initiative is named for that very same song, “Jail Guitar Doors.” After the success of JGD in the United Kingdom, Billy Bragg approached Wayne Kramer to head up the US faction of Jail Guitar Doors. In an ironic conversation, Billy asked Wayne if he was familiar with the Clash song. Wayne said, “Yeah, it’s about me!”
In 2009, Wayne Kramer partnered with Billy Bragg to found Jail Guitar Doors USA. Together, their combined effort continues the mission for prisoners in America.
While Wayne is quick to realize how fortunate he is to make a living playing his guitar, he states that he is doing the most important work of his life right now with Jail Guitar Doors.
Like the organization he leads in the USA, Wayne Kramer believes in the restorative power of music and its ability to reform. Simply put, JGD visits prisons to perform a concert for the inmates. They leave behind brand new musical instruments for the prisoners to use. They also leave behind the hope.
“I have witnessed the light of hope in the eyes of inmates and I’m motivated to ignite that positive light on their behalf,” states Kramer. “JGD-USA believes that if we expect more of offenders and empower them with the resources they need to change, most will choose to rehabilitate and not repeat offend. That certainly was the case for me.”
Do people change? Wayne Kramer has continued to change, to evolve, and to grow. With an on-going career, a beautiful marriage to his lovely wife Margaret and a legion of fans and dear friends, change is an element that suits him. ER
