There were rumors of a hoax of Lux Interior's death all day, but unfortunately, they were confirmed by Girlie Action, The Cramps’ media representatives:

Lux Interior, lead singer of The Cramps, passed away this morning due to an existing heart condition at Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, California at 4:30 AM PST today. Lux has been an inspiration and influence to millions of artists and fans around the world. He and wife Poison Ivy’s contributions with The Cramps have had an immeasurable impact on modern music.

The Cramps emerged from the original New York punk scene of CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, with a singular sound and iconography. Their distinct take on rockabilly and surf along with their midnight movie imagery reminded us all just how exciting, dangerous, vital and sexy rock and roll should be and has spawned entire subcultures. Lux was a fearless frontman who transformed every stage he stepped on into a place of passion, abandon, and true freedom. He is a rare icon who will be missed dearly.

My favorite memory of Lux was when I used to work in the mailroom of Epitaph Records, when Lux & Ivy would visit the office. Lux and Ivy never stopped being Lux & Ivy. They were always dressed to the hilt in white pancake make-up and black leather, even in the hottest days. They were the niceset people. Still, they managed to scare the girls I worked with with all that make-up. When they would walk into the mailroom, one of the women would say, "Ya vienen los zombies"  I would laugh cause the more freaked out the girls would be when they were in the mailroom, the nicer Lux & Ivy were to them.

Here is one of my favorite clips of the band, performing "Tear It Up" from the movie Urgh! A Music War. They were so ahead of their time by looking to the past.