MC5’s Wayne Kramer to present The Zeros SDMA Lifetime Achievement Award

Wayne Kramer, legendary punk forefather of the Detroit-based MC5 and one of Rolling Stone‘s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, will present The Zeros with the Lifetime Achievement award at this year’s San Diego Music Awards. Along with Fred “Sonic” Smith, Kramer formed the Motor City 5 (MC5) in 1964 and were active until about 1972. Known for their mix of psychedelic, blues and garage rock, as well as their radical leftist politics, the band are widely credited with laying the groundwork for the punk movement in the late ’70s. Their most famous album, the live 1969 release Kick Out The Jams, is often considered one of the greatest albums of all time.  

Made up of Javier Escovedo, Robert Lopez, Hector Penalosa and Baba Chenelle, The Zeros were one of the first West Coast punk bands. Forming in 1976 in Chula Vista, they went on to play shows with The Clash, X, Patti Smith and The Germs. The original lineup reunited this year for a handful of tourdates, including two sold-out San Diego shows. 

The Zeros will also be performing live at the San Diego Music Awards, which will take place on Thursday, September 10 at Viejas Concerts in the Park. Tickets are available on the website.