Lux Interior and Poison Ivy Rorschach, the guitarist and singer of the Cramps, were a passionate couple who were bound together forever. They had their stage shtick, but unfortunately, Lux Interior passed away on February 4th, 2009, due to an aortic dissection. The story of the Cramps is a love story, born of commonalities and grown through a mutual love of music.
Lux took the vocal tics of rock ‘n’ roll and was the perfect foil to his equally striking partner in life and music, Poison Ivy Rorschach. They met in Sacramento in 1972, and they adopted the monikers of Lux Interior and Poison Ivy, moving to Ohio to form the punk rock power couple. The reason this band exists is because of a love for music, and Lux and Ivy were working on developing a perfect pop-art.
The Cramps were famous for their mutual pallor and interest in using drugs and deviance to create a unique sound. Their chemistry was evident in any Cramps video, and they were deeply in love and committed to their mutual passion for music. However, their love ended with an irreparably broken heart, highlighting the importance of understanding and respecting the unique relationships and experiences of individuals in the music industry.
📹 Lux & Ivy: The Cramps Love Story (Full Documentary)
Take a trip into the world of THE CRAMPS! This full length documentary details the HISTORY of THE CRAMPS, from the origins of …
How old is Lux Interior?
On Wednesday morning, Lux Interior, the 62-year-old lead singer of the Cramps, who is credited with introducing deviant rockabilly to the punk era, passed away in Glendale, California.
Who is Lux engaged to?
Gavin Lux, a former first-round draft pick, has been engaged to girlfriend Molly O’Boyle, less than a week after Shohei Ohtani revealed his marriage to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Lux, who was set to replace Ohtani as starting shortstop last season, suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee, causing him to miss all of 2023. The couple shared photos of the proposal on Instagram, with the first public picture shared being from the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Blue Diamond Gala in 2022.
How did Lux Interior pass away?
Lux Interior, also known as Erick Lee Purkhiser, was an American singer and founding member of the rock band the Cramps from 1976 to 2009. Born in Akron, Ohio, he grew up in Stow and graduated from Stow High School. He met his wife, Kristy Wallace, better known as Poison Ivy, in 1972 and they formed the band after moving from California to Ohio in 1973 and then to New York in 1975. Lux Interior passed away on February 4, 2009, at Glendale Memorial Hospital in California, from aortic dissection. He was survived by his wife Ivy, two brothers, Michael Purkhiser and Ronald “Skip” Purkhiser, and a son from a previous marriage named Mischa Shane Graef.
Where is Poison Ivy from the cramps?
Poison Ivy Rorschach, a legendary rock ‘n’ roll musician, has been laid to rest alongside her lifelong partner Lux Interior. She was a revolutionary and sonic architect who created a world where horror movie soundtracks collided with ’50s rock ‘n’ roll freakouts and burlesque shows. The Cramps were the antithesis of everything that was polished and palatable in the music scene, with a middle finger raised high with a sneer and snarl. Poison Ivy redefined rock ‘n’ roll guitar and left a scorch mark on music history.
As she finished her lovefest for Poison Ivy, word reached Napalm HQ that Arizona twangmeister Duane Eddy, one of her profound influences, died at age 86. Eddy’s “reverberant, staccato style of guitar playing that became known as twang” is as teenage and purely rock ‘n’ roll as the electric guitar gets. It’s as crucial as Link Wray’s power chords and Chuck Berry’s raunch.
The author of The Book and the new part-time gig, The Tim “Napalm” Stegall Substack, apologizes for the delay in the Rockabilly Week installments and extends the 19. 55 Rockabilly Week Subscription Discount Offer another week. Paying subscribers will have full access to the archives, read The Tim “Napalm” Stegall Interviews, his novel-in-progress Every Father Kills His Son (Chapter Two coming soon), and listen to the revival of his “Punk Boss Radio” podcast Radio Napalm.
This is an awful lot of goodness for $4 per month and $40 annually, and that will be your subscription rate for life. Take advantage of these savings now, while they last, as Elvis would want you to do.
What gender is Lux?
The name Lux is derived from the Latin word for “light” and can be a source of pride and love. The Latin root word “Lux” or “Luchs,” from which the name Lux is derived, can imbue the name with elements of poise and elegance. The name Lux has associations with both German and French, where it is understood to mean “lynx.” It is thought to be a possible variation of Luchs. Irrespective of its etymological provenance, the name Lux promises to illuminate one’s life.
Are The Cramps punk or goth?
The Cramps were an American punk rock band formed in 1976, active until 2009. They were part of the early CBGB punk rock movement in New York and were known for their pioneering work in psychobilly and gothic rock. The band split after the death of lead singer Lux Interior, who passed away in 2009. The Cramps were known for their influence on early gothic rock bands. Their members included Rick Purkhiser on vocals, Kristy Wallace on guitar, and Harry Drumdini on drums.
Who are Lux and Ivy?
Lux Interior and Poison Ivy formed the Cramps in 1972, forming the band due to their shared artistic interests and love for record collecting. They moved to Akron, Ohio, and New York in 1975, joining the early punk scene with other emerging acts like Suicide, the Ramones, Patti Smith, Television, Blondie, Talking Heads, Mink DeVille, and Dead Boys. In 1976, the Cramps featured Poison Ivy Rorschach, Lux Interior, Bryan Gregory, and his sister Pam “Balam” on drums.
The Cramps changed drummers twice, with Miriam Linna replacing Pam Balam and Nick Knox replacing Linna in 1977. They performed regularly in New York and released two independent singles produced by Alex Chilton in 1977. They were signed to the I. R. S. Records label in 1977 and embarked on their first tour of Great Britain as a supporting act to the Police.
In 1978, they gave a landmark free concert at the California State Mental Hospital in Napa, recorded on a Sony Portapak video camera by Target Video. They then played the revamped 1940s swing club “The Meadowbrook” in New Jersey and recorded two singles in New York City. They recorded their first full-length album, Songs the Lord Taught Us, at Phillips Recording in Memphis in 1979.
When did the cramps come out?
The Cramps, an American garage punk band, was active from 1976 to 2009. Their discography includes nine studio albums, two live albums, four compilations, two EPs, and 23 singles. The band also produced eight music videos. Notable songs include “Human Fly”, “Garbageman”, “Tear It Up” (live) from the movie Urgh! A Music War, “Bikini Girls with Machine Guns”, “Creature from the Black Leather Lagoon”, “Ultra Twist”, “Naked Girl Falling Down the Stairs”, and “Like a Bad Girl Should”.
Were Lux and Poison Ivy married?
Kristy Marlana Wallace, also known as Poison Ivy or Poison Ivy Rorschach, is an American musician, songwriter, arranger, producer, and occasional vocalist who co-founded the rock band The Cramps. Born in San Bernardino, California, she was raised near Sacramento and met future Cramps singer Lux Interior in 1972. They moved to Akron, Ohio, and New York City in 1974, and in 1976, they began performing as The Cramps.
They gained a reputation for their rockabilly-inspired music and wild live performances. The Cramps continued to release records and perform live until 2006, enjoying commercial success mainly in Europe and a strong cult following worldwide.
Who is Lux boyfriend?
Ezreal and Luxanna Crownguard are rumored to be dating and have feelings for each other in alternative universes like Star Guardian and Battle Academia. Luxanna, born into a powerful family in Demacia, is known for her magical abilities and fear of discovery and exile. She was forced to keep her power secret to preserve her family’s noble status. Despite her fear, Lux’s optimism and resilience have led her to embrace her unique talents and seek to bring greater tolerance and understanding to her homeland.
Luxanna was born into a wealthy and powerful family in Demacia, but was rebellious and wanted to explore the world outside the walls. One night, while riding home, a pack of wolves ambushed her and her horse. Lux unleashed a powerful blast of light, realizing she was a mage and the terror of the Demacians and her family. Since then, she has tried to hide her powers to avoid being locked up and murdered.
Who does poison ivy hook up with?
Harley Quinn and Ivy have reunited in a new digital series, Injustice: Ground Zero, a comic book retelling of the Injustice: Gods Among Us video game. The series follows Harley’s life during the game, including her relationship with Ivy after the Joker’s death. The book’s sequel, Injustice 2, further develops their romance, while its prequel, Injustice: Year Zero, breaks new ground. After years of teasing near-kisses and saucy entendres in their ongoing Harley Quinn comics since 2014, Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, and issue artist Chad Hardin finally had Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn kiss each other on panel for the first time in continuity.
📹 For the Love of Ivy | A Tribute to Poison Ivy and The Cramps (DOCUMENTARY)
In the history of rock n roll and independent music, there are few more influential figures than Poison Ivy from The Cramps. In case …
Ivy chose the right path in retiring and closing the door after Lux’s passing. She had the dignity and love in her heart for his memory and what they accomplished together to know that it was over, and anything without him as the front man would just fall miles short and be an embarrassment. Like past divas( I use that term with respect) such as Dietrich or Garbo, Ivy has gone silent and is living her life now in a way that is private. But we have all that the Cramps did on record to enjoy the hell out of, and that’s more than enough!!
I had the privilege of meeting Ivy and Lux on two occasions in Glendale CA. Once at my old record store Music Exchange and another at Ralphs. They were so cool and kind. I caught their show at the Sunset Junction, amazing. I told Ivy how I got kicked out of Tower records and her words always stayed with me. “I’ve been kicked out of classier places that that.”
That just made me cry a little. I love The Cramps so much. In 1987 my mom said “Why can’t any bands do the 1950’s sound again?” She loved The Ramones but their sound was their sound only. Then I put on The Cramps, wow was she upset. She said things that only fueled my love for this wonderful band. I have been listening with my ear as close to the speaker as I can since then.
Ever since Lux died in 2009, there’s been a constant stream of releases, all on vinyl, of live shows as well as reissues of their studio albums. These are well produced, good quality recordings, not crappy bootlegs. There was also the release of their concert at Napa State Mental Hospital on DVD. I think Ivy is behind all of these releases, I think these recordings come from her own archives. So she is not inactive. She’s quite busy in fact. The Cramps live on, thanks to her. (I’ve been a fan of the Cramps since 1981.)
For such a long time SHE has been routinely and flagrantly ignored. Even by those crappy “Women in Rock” lists you see in magazines and tv shows (you know the kind). They would never fail to mention ohhhhhhhhh Joan Jett, Chrissy Hynd, Bonnie Raitt, Sharon Cufman, Kitty (speaking of which, does anybody even remember THEM anymore) but would consistently snub Poison. So then, it’s nice to see HER finally, and at such long last, receiving some props! Thank you!
I’ve seen most of the great industrial, punk, post-punk and indie bands of the ’80s live repeatedly over the last 40 years (and I was a touring musician myself for a few decades). The Cramps were, hands-down, the purest live rock ‘n roll band I’ve ever seen. Lux and Ivy have always been criminally underrated as musicians, songwriters, performers and flat-out forces of nature. I’m so glad that they’ve had a resurgence, but to see them live was to be in the presence of royalty.
I saw them once in OKC, and it wasn’t a packed show so I got to hang out with them afterward. I got to hear the story of the mental hospital show from their own mouths, and got a couple of posters signed–AFTER Ivy had taken them into their tour bus to drizzle candle wax over them first. She said it was their “sex wax.” They’re framed and still hanging where I can see them right now.
I have been a guitarist for over 40 years and have heard and enjoyed them all. Ivy is still in the upper tier of my top 5. When I hear her play, it’s the pure sound of rock’n’roll, not adulterated or obscured with production or technique. You’re back to a kid with an electric and an amp, realizing you can play rock for the first time. And Ivy never lost that.
Thanks for producing this article. In the past I have always thought how The Cramps must be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, then I stop myself. I am certain that even longevity and reverence are antithetical to what The Cramps stands for. What a glorious band this was, Ivy is a massive talent.
In a Old interview (which I love), Ivy said in olden times the church used to use astrology to predict which couples to keep from being together, in fear that the potent combination of two specific people could start a revolution and turn the world upside down, and Ivy said that her and Luxe were exactly the type of couple the church would have done everything to try and stop… and I agree.
Back in ’81 I was un-hip to what was going on in “alternative” music. I had grown sick with the crap on LA radio. Journey, Foreigner… They all sounded the same to me and I wasn’t having it!. One night some friends took me to see Urrgh: A Music War. It was a lot to take in. I was both shocked and awed at what I was seeing and hearing. Two bands stood out to me. The Cramps and X. I went home and scuttled my music collection (mostly jazz and ’60s to early ’70s rock. While I still like early Rock I had to make room for bands like The Cramps, X, Wall of Voodoo and more. perusal The Cramps was something. While most of the focus was on Lux I was taken in by Ivy’s guitar work and the sneer in her face as she played. She was a Rock Goddess to me at first sight. Yes, The Cramps was her band. I understand why she pulled away from the music world after Lux met his untimely death. After all, they were married for 37 years. They supported each other for nearly four decades and then he was gone. I don’t blame her for leaving the industry as abruptly as she did. If I were in her shoes I’d probably do the same. I’m glad to hear the kids are gaining a new interest in the band. There’s a lot to like there. Hell, I am an old man now and I still enjoy the band.
OMG!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IVY!!! Rock and Roll is so powerful, and Ivy and Lux were scary powerful and so beautifully in love. I just realized how much I really miss Ivy and Lux. Im 66 and live for Rock and Roll. Saw a lot of my heroes pass ( Country Dick Montana, to Pete Shelley, Brad Nowell, Phil Lynott and Gram Parsons, and the tragedy of the Ramones) and so many artists I personally admired as my heroes. But Lux…Toe cleavage was the best thing to ever come from Rock and Roll. I Saw my 1st Cramps gig in 1981 in Santa Cruz. My last Cramps show also in Santa Cruz in 2006 with my son. We dosed and had so much fun.We will forever share that experience.Thanks Ivy and Lux.. God Bless😉
I never bother to comment on anything. Seriously it has been at least 6 months. This was A GREAT tribute to the band and Ivy. I am 55 and the Cramps have been with me since I was 17. I am so thankful that someone out there gets them. I certainly did not know them…but the vibe was there. The love that never gets mentioned. THANKS TO YOU AND ROCK AND ROLL!
I was lucky enough to see The Cramps in Lawrence Kansas in around mid 1982 and had only seen photos of them before the show well lets say I was completely blown away by not only how out of control all four band members were but moreso their STYLE as a college freshman they looked liked they came from another planet as well as a high fashion magazine thank you Cramps for opening my eyes to a big, wild, rock and roll universe
Thank you so much for that perfect summation on the awesomeness of Poison Ivy and the Cramps. I’ve been a Cramps fan since the 80s, when I heard their music, first in Return of the Living Dead and then in Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. Personally, I don’t resent the new fans brought in by Netflix’s Wednesday at all. As far as I’m concerned The Cramps did at least as much for Jenna Ortega as she did for them. In fact, I’m glad the world is now finally starting to catch up with The Cramps just a little bit. God knows we could use the freedom of their wild energy today more than ever. Perhaps out of the latest generation of listeners, maybe… just maybe, we will someday get a new band worthy to carry the torch. But make no mistake, there will never be another guitar player like Poison Ivy Rorschach and there will never be another band like The Cramps.
In my top 10 gigs ever was The Cramps and the original lineup with Bryan Gregory on guitar at the Whisky A Go Go in 1980. Just thinking of that show still raises the hairs on my back neck, it was not only electrifying and loud A/F it was pure rock and roll. They were beyond punk, they were from another world and I couldn’t get enough. R.I.P. Lux Interior, Bryan Gregory, and Nick Knox
The Cramps came to Australia and played @ Selina’s, Coogee bay, Sydney. 198something. The band had the most unique escort. Dozens of old cars and motorbikes, their fan’s, rocker billy’s, me being one, we’re most excited that the Cramps had traveled all the way to Oz to play for us. Delux, dressed in a gold shiny jacket and pants, “Lux means buck’s” on the back of his jacket, the corner of many hundred dollar notes poking out of the pocket’s. Ivy looking like a Goddess, as usual, Fur Bible on bass, Nick Knocks on drums. A night never forgotten by us, the fans that lived primative.
Just wish I’d been around to see them live in their prime. So much respect for Lux and Ivy, I feel music like this that is so unapologetic just doesn’t exist in rock anymore. The Cramps fuelled the underground and managed to exist in the era of punk, with no compromise. Forever shall the music live on
I am sooo lucky to witness their Stage Terror in Germany with Nick Knox on Drums. They performed next to my Hometown in a Disco turned Circus Tent. Lux Interior hit the Stage in full Latex Outfit, Sweat pouring out of his Pants and he stumbles around the Stage in his black High Heels, screaming and howling as there will be no tomorrow. Ivy was ripping through every Song with perfection. As the Gig was over, me and my friends agree, that we just saw a Concert, that we will never see again. It was sooooo damn good! Rest in Rock, Lux Interior and thank you for all the good times and music. It’s over now….but who knows….❤ Poison Ivy will keep the heritage of her band in the right way. P.S.: The Cramps weren’t either a Punk- nor a New Wave Band. They where a pure,modern Rock’n’Roll Band. Not less, not more!
I am a 59 year old hard rock/heavy metal guy for most of my life. I only discovered The Cramps a few months ago and instantly loved their music. I think Ivy is a great guitarist and sexy as hell to boot. How I never heard of them before all this time is a mystery but better late than never I suppose. 🤘🏻