On February 4, 2009, Lux Interior of the alternative punk band, the Cramps, passed away due to a heart condition. His loss will be a big blow to the rest of the band, (which includes his wife, "Poison Ivy") and all of his fans. He was only sixty years old.
Lux was born as Erick Purkhiser on October 21, 1946 in Ohio, where he spent most of his childhood. In 1972, while driving in Sacramento, California, Purkhiser (according to rumor) picked up a hitchhiker named Kristy Wallace who would eventually become his wife and change her name to Poison Ivy. While in California, they gathered some friends and formed the Cramps, which consists of three guitar players, a drummer, and a singer, Lux Interior.
By 1975, Lux and his band had traveled to New York. The band fit right in with the dominant punk culture there, and from there, the Cramps rose to fame.
According to Wikipedia, Lux chose his stage name because of an "old car commercial", while his wife simply "dreamt" of her's.
One of the more amazing things about the band is Lux's singing style. He has a deep, full voice and can waver between notes while still hitting them each time; it is all very purposeful, and fun to attempt to imitate while singing along to an album in the car. If you ever get a chance, pick up a Cramps album - my personal favorite is Bad Music For Bad People - and listen to the simple, likeable, rock genius.
Works Cited
"Lux Interior." Wikipedia. 15 February 2009. 20 February 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lux_Interior>.
"Lux Interior." Zimbio. 5 February 2009. 20 February 2009 <http://www.zimbio.com/Lux+Interior>.
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