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Posted in music on February 4, 2009

Lux Interior (The Cramps), RIP

Lux Interior

The Daily Swarm site has updated their initial post with an official statement (that seconds after I posted this I also received in my inbox from a reputable source):

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.

Wikipedia was also updated moments about with "Erick Lee Purkhiser (October 21, 1946 - February 4, 2009), better known as Lux Interior, was an American punk rock musician and a founding member of the band The Cramps. He died on February 4, 2009. Early reports are stating that he died from auto-erotic asphyxiation."

Sadly it looks like the only thing not true is the "last weekend part". RIP LUX.
Videos below..

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Tags: Lux Interior, RIP, The Cramps
posted at 7:06 PM on February 4, 2009 in music | Comments (31)

Comments (31)

If your source is reputable, cite it.

Posted by luke | February 4, 2009 7:23 PM

I just got the press release from their publicist. it sucks but is definitely for real.

Posted by Jonny Leather | February 4, 2009 7:37 PM

Shit. So bummed.

Posted by Anonymous | February 4, 2009 8:08 PM

Love The Cramps---one of the best shows I ever saw was a Cramps show. Damn.

Posted by TWB | February 4, 2009 8:09 PM

God bless Lux,he will be forever remembered through his inspiring sound and showmanship

Posted by Anonymous | February 4, 2009 8:10 PM

shots tonight for sure... FUCK

Posted by Anonymous | February 4, 2009 8:13 PM

Hope everyone who wanted to got a chance to see him. The New Orleans Halloween show about 10 years ago was one of the craziest nights of my life - thanks for the good times and great music, Lux.

Posted by Anonymous | February 4, 2009 8:15 PM

"When the sun goes down and the moon goes up..."
It's difficult to overestimate his enormous influence on the music of the past 20 years. RIP and thanks

Posted by Anonymous | February 4, 2009 8:16 PM

He did more than he ever knew for the music industry than he would ever know. The man was a legend.

You will be missed, the double act of The Cramps will never be the same.

Whoever or whatever you believed in or didn't believe in be with you.

Cheers Lux.

Posted by Mysteron | February 4, 2009 8:26 PM

Tonight I'll be wearing my sunglasses after dark.

Somewhere Lux is rockin' on the moon.

I feel bad for Poison Ivy.

Posted by Anonymous | February 4, 2009 9:05 PM

Even in his fifties, he still put on a great show.

RIP

Posted by Anonymous | February 4, 2009 10:49 PM

Wow, in my home town even where I bought my first Cramps rekkid. I miss him already...

Posted by Hugh | February 4, 2009 11:03 PM

This guy was something else.What a fucking artist!RIP man and THANK YOU!

Posted by Mad Toy | February 4, 2009 11:08 PM

He was an amazing guy who lived an amazing life.
RIP LUX!
Condolences to Poison Ivy.

Posted by Anonymous | February 4, 2009 11:56 PM

During that period of time when proto-hipsters were declaring the "genius" of Jon Spencer, I automatically steered them to Lux and the Cramps.

I'm not taking anything away from Jon--he's a force unto himself. But without Lux there is no Jon Spencer.

RIP Lux, you were a TRUE original.

Posted by Rajah of Rehab | February 5, 2009 12:26 AM

Ugh, so sad...

Posted by Lizzie | February 5, 2009 12:39 AM

This is terrible news. Lux was a great front man for a legendary band. Thank you for over thirty years of great music. RIP Lux

Posted by tbone | February 5, 2009 12:39 AM

This is terrible. I wish I knew what a lux interior was.

Too soon?

Ok, yeah. That was too soon. A lot of sympathy.

Posted by Philip Brightmore | February 5, 2009 1:58 AM

halloween will never be the same again.
if you never saw lux climbing up the PA
in the classic 20 min anchor you never
saw a live show in your life.

VAYA CON DIOS, MAD MAN !!

Posted by danny boy | February 5, 2009 4:58 AM

RIP :(

Posted by Lori | February 5, 2009 9:32 AM

THIS FUCKING SUCKS.
The man put on shows half his age.
His songs came from the Lord, through his record collection, to the people.
The Grand Custodian of American garage rock.
I LOVE YOU LUX.

Posted by Jimi | February 5, 2009 9:34 AM

That's pretty sad. Cramps were the first 'punk' band I saw in 1987. Knew this was something I wanted to be a part of..RIP Lux

Posted by Anonymous | February 5, 2009 10:14 AM

I was fortunate enough to be in a band that had the great pleasure of supporting The Cramps. That was only about four years ago and he was fantastic. Very, very sorry to hear of this. Far too early. Best wishes to Poison Ivy.

Posted by Crispin Gray | February 5, 2009 11:48 AM

Sad, sad. Does anyone know when he played his last show?

Posted by Anonymous | February 5, 2009 1:48 PM

awful news. lux was a true original. rockin bones is too poignant now.

Posted by Anonymous | February 5, 2009 2:26 PM

RIP
great great musician

Posted by Anonymous | February 5, 2009 3:04 PM

But without Lux there is no Jon Spencer.

-- and without Jeff Evans, there ain't no Jon Spencer

Posted by Memphisto | February 5, 2009 3:31 PM

fuck this sucks. fuck!!!!!!

Posted by Anonymous | February 5, 2009 5:51 PM

Best frontman ever. Great guy, a huge inspiration to a lot of people. A true original.

The Cramps put on the best show I've ever seen. Lux will be greatly missed. Rock music just keeps get boring and boring...

Posted by Andre | February 6, 2009 5:56 AM

BAD NEWS for bad people

the greatest rock vocalist!

from friday's NYT:
In 1979 the Cramps were guest DJ’s on WPIX-FM in New York, spinning records by Wanda Jackson, the Electric Prunes, Herbie Duncan and other vintage rockabilly and garage acts. Lux Interior was asked by one of the station personalities about the music. Taken aback by the question, he replied: “Rock ’n’ roll has absolutely nothing to do with music. It’s much more than music. Rock ’n’ roll is who you are. You can’t call the Cramps music. It’s noise, rockin’ noise.”

www.nytimes.com/2009/02/06/arts/music/06interior.htm

Posted by rn | February 6, 2009 1:07 PM

sorry just found out 3 years late one of my heros passed away,BEST MUSIC ,BEST ARTIST,BEST BAND ,AND SORRY VERY SAD AND TEARFULL BEEN A LOVER SINCE 1983 TAKE CARE POISON IVY LOVE YOU TO robert from SCOTLAND

Posted by robert mclatchie | December 7, 2011 7:01 PM

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