Lux and I

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The Masque

I tried to deny it all day; I could not believe it was true. There have been many hoax’s in the past and I assumed this was another. But I just left Glendale Memorial And Lux Interior has passed on.


Don’t worry I wont get religious here, Lux wouldn’t have approved, he cautioned me about my choice of Catholicism the last time we spoke.
Lux and me, at the Palamino



That was almost 8 years ago. I never had the chance to make amends for my behavior at the time. Now I just feel sick. I 1st saw the Cramps in 1978 at the Whiskey a go go, when Bryan Gregory was in the band. That’s when I stopped listening to Led Zeppelin and even Dylan and became a Cramps “Fanboy” I am not ashamed to say. I had seen Johnny Thunders, The Dead Boys and others but it was that summer night that…changed my head. Maybe it was Nick Knox’s Big Beat, or Ivy’s cool leads, or Bryan’s flippin’ cigs and wailin’ on Fuzz guitar.
Bryan at one of Tav’s fish Fry’s in Memphis! 1980



But it was Lux’s wild hicupin’ rockabilly vocals that blew me away. I was 16.


2 years later in 1980 I was 18and stationed in the Navy in Memphis, where The Cramps had just recorded their first full LP, Songs “The Lord Taught us” with Alex Chilton whom I became instant friends with, Tav Falco’s Panther Burns, Ross Johnson, William Eggelston.

Ivy, Lux, Chilton and Nick… 1980 Memphis



Alex and I Memphis 1981


Tav Falco and I 1984, Peabody Hotel Memphis






Memphis embraced me, I was never so happy in my life with the exception of my last trip there, 2 months ago where Ross Johnson Married Mitra and I! Our lives seemed so intertwined, Lux had also been in the Navy, believe it or not and was also stationed in Memphis years earlier, we were both AQ’s. Aviation weapons specialists! We were both also stationed in Lemoore, Ca. We became friends, Cheryl, my 1st wife and I and Lux and Ivy.

We went to San Diego, Vegas, Frisco, NYC, and even to London and Paris with The Cramps and Alex Chilton. After Lux and Ivy 1st met us, they asked Alex Chilton who I had known much better, about us, Alex told them, "They just Love you too much" I supose he was right....



Ivy playing in our bedroom one X-mass, on a guitar Alex Chilton picked out for Cheryl, once belonging to Cordell Jackson.


Christmas with the Cramps at our place! They always sent out cards!



We went to San Diego, Vegas, Frisco, NYC, and even to London and Paris with The Cramps and Alex Chilton.

Alex Chilton and I in Paris 86, Opening for the Cramps!



NYC 1983 backstage.



Photo by Ivy, of Joey and me.



Were in Cramps Video’s. My daughter would sleep over their place after late nights at the Jabber-Jaw seeing fireworks or something. My Mom just called to see how I was doing she saw the Cramps six or seven times and loved Lux! He was very kind to my whole family and when I was in Cri-Help they would visit and bring sweet cards an amazing cassette tapes for me to listen to in my “current Entombment” as he put it. When I was stationed in the Philippines I would send them Tiki Stuff, our favorite bar was The Tiki Ti on sunset. And I would send pics about how popular they were there.


They were always so kind, we were in their Ultra Twist Video and always kept us up to date. Keep your eyes pealed! Im wearing black and white checks shot from above!


In the front row for Tear it UP!




Though I lost track in the last few years, I will never forget their influence on my life, nor the kindness they showed me.



I took my daughters to see them at Sunset Junction a few years back! Lux sang a song right to Angelina, and Mystery Plane to Corrina, who used to sleep on their day bed.



You can see Corrina and I in right by his face.

I will miss Lux perhaps more then anyone since my Grandfather. He tried to give me good advice when he saw me slipping after my divorce, they both did. I love them both and am just so sad, like a part of me is gone.

Stay Sick Turn Blue,
Mike Murphy
Legion of The Cramped member since 1980!

Forever your Friend and Fan!


Miss you already; rest sweet prince!