The Hard Stuff

Dope, Crime, the MC5, and My Life of Impossibilities

By: Wayne Kramer

Narrated by: Wayne Kramer

Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

The first memoir by Wayne Kramer, legendary guitarist and cofounder of quintessential Detroit proto-punk legends The MC5

"Voyeuristically dramatic." (The New York Times Book Review)

In January 1969, before the world heard a note of their music, the MC5 was on the cover of Rolling Stone. Led by legendary guitarist Wayne Kramer, the band was a reflection of the times: exciting, sexy, violent, chaotic, and even out of control. The missing link between free jazz and punk rock, the MC5 toured the country, played alongside music legends, and had a rabid following, their music acting as the soundtrack to the blossoming blue collar youth movement. Kramer wanted to redefine what a rock 'n' roll group was capable of, and though there was power in reaching for that, it was also a recipe for personal and professional disaster.

The band recorded three major label albums but, by 1972—it was all over. Kramer's story is (literally) a revolutionary one, but it's also the deeply personal struggle of an addict and an artist, a rebel with a great tale to tell. From the glory days of Detroit to the junk-sick streets of the East Village, from Key West to Nashville and sunny L.A., in and out of prison and on and off of drugs, Kramer's is the classic journeyman narrative, but with a twist: he's here to remind us that revolution is always an option.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Wayne Kramer (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"[This] book comes alive when bringing the reader into the heart of the late-'60s scene, where revolution seemed not just possible but plausible...The Hard Stuff is rarely poetic, but in its brutal honesty Mr. Kramer may succeed in deterring future musicians from contemplating serious drug abuse."—Wall Street Journal

"Kramer has written one of rock's most engaging and readable memoirs."—Rolling Stone

"By the time he turned 30, Kramer had been the lead guitarist in a legendary but star-crossed rock band, a playacting Detroit gangster, and a guest of the American carceral system. All this living is covered in his new memoir The Hard Stuff, along with Kramer's roundabout path to the life he leads today."—NPR Music

Get into the MC5. Do it now.

I missed the Wayne Kramer MC5 back in the day. Never hear them. Never knew the story. The Hard Stuff is a fantastic look at the band and Wayne and the evil that lurked waiting. I'll read this again at least once. It's that good. Thank you Wayne!

Brother Wayne Kramer

This book is a wonderful look into the life of a MAN who struggled, rocked (rocks), spent time in jail and changed my life. Bless the MC5, Jail Guitar Doors, Brother Wayne and FAMILY. Get this book…
JT-

What a fantastic book!

If you're a fan of rock + roll, recovery, or redemption (yup, this book as all three), then this book is for YOU!

Of course, MC 5 + punk rock followers will be thrilled with Wayne's tales of the storied, innovative band he co-founded.

But even more thrilling, and incredibly moving, is Wayne's personal tale of rise, fall, and rebirth.

And if that kind of thing is up your alley, I can't recommend this book enough!

Hard stuff is easy listening

I enjoyed hearing the 1st hand stories of Wayne & MC5. As someone from the Midwest and an employee at KLOS, a rock station in LA I've heard second and third hand versions of these stories. Now you have an opportunity to hear them 1st hand from a living legend and hard rock pioneer. Lemmy Kilmister used to say he wanted to create his version of the MC5 in Motorhead. Listening to Wayne Kramer's story you can see where that hard Detroit sound that inspired so many others came from. Also the passion he has to help those incarcerated better themselves with jail guitar doors USA.

Awesome! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Love this book! Very candid and open biography well told by Wayne Kramer! Very compelling and couldn't wait until I could listen again when I had to stop! 5 star Recommended!

Real stories from a real musician

Full of insight while constantly entertaining, great delivery by the author, as a politically-motivated touring musician myself, I would emphatically recommend this memoir as a highly accurate portrayal of the real world of both music and radical politics.

Hard stuff indeed

Great book, very honest and well told. Wayne has lived it all and here to tell his story. A lot of lessons learned along the way and I fell like I learned something as well. Highly recommended.

So honest and open.

Wayne Kramer holds nothing back in this brutally honest look into his unique journey through years of hard rocking and harder living. His story is inspiring, entertaining, tragic and triumphant.

Brother Wayne Kramer

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you a testimonial! Brother Wayne raps about the MC5, prison, and Jail Guitar Doors. Love that he reads this himself. Dig it!

Brutally Honest, Socially Astute

I loved the missive of the MC5. Punk before punk. I had a superficial respect. Understanding Kramer's commitment to social justice was an eye opener. Total respect.