Lux Interior, founding member of and singer for legendary New York rock band The Cramps, passed away this morning in Glendale, California due to an existing heart condition. He was 60 years old.
“Lux has been an inspiration and influence to millions of artists and fans around the world,” an official statement from The Cramps’ representative reads. “He and wife Poison Ivy’s contributions with The Cramps have had an immeasurable impact on modern music.”
Interior, née Eric Lee Purkhiser, started The Cramps in 1976 with his wife, Kristy “Poison Ivy” Wallace. The pair, with a revolving cast of supporting musicians, was an integral part of the early punk movement in New York City, which included the likes of the Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, Misfits, and Patti Smith.
For Pitchfork’s more detailed obituary and videos of Lux Interior at work pushing rock music forward, click here.