Poison Ivy (musician)
 |
Poison Ivy | |
|---|---|
 Poison Ivy performing in 2005 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kristy Marlana Wallace |
| Also known as | Poison Ivy, Poison Ivy Rorschach |
| Born | February 20, 1953 San Bernardino, California, United States |
| Genres | Punk, psychobilly, rock and roll |
| Instrument(s) | Electric guitar |
| Years active | 1976–2009 |
| Website | www.thecramps.com |
Kristy Marlana Wallace (born February 20, 1953), known as Poison Ivy or Poison Ivy Rorschach, is a guitarist, songwriter, arranger, producer, and occasional vocalist who co-founded the American rockabilly band The Cramps.
Career
In 1974, they moved to Lux Interior's hometown of Akron, Ohio, and then to New York City.[1] In 1976, as part of the emerging punk rock scene, they began performing as the Cramps.[2] They quickly gained a reputation for their unusual, rockabilly-inspired music and wild live performances. The Cramps, with Ivy, Lux, and various other guitarists, drummers, and bassists, continued to release records and perform live until the fall of 2006, enjoying some commercial success (mainly in Europe) and acquiring a strong cult following worldwide.[3]
Throughout The Cramps' career Ivy co-wrote with Lux Interior all of the group's original songs and provided the arrangements for songs they covered. She produced or co-produced several of their albums and singles, sang on the songs "Kizmiaz" and "Get Off the Road," and played theremin on later records.
Songs written by Poison Ivy/Lux Interior and performed by other artists include "Human Fly" (Crestfallen, The Dead Brothers, Nouvelle Vague, Supernaut, Hanni El Khatib); "New Kind of Kick" (The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Drones, Muse); and "Thee Most Exalted Potentate of Love" (Queens of the Stone Age).
Guitars
Early on, Ivy used a clear plexiglass Dan Armstrong guitar, then the unusual Canadian-made Bill Lewis guitar heard on the first few Cramps recordings. Since 1985 she has mostly used a 1958 Gretsch 6120 hollow-body. She uses Fender Pro Reverb amplifiers onstage, and smaller Valco and Allen amps in the studio.[4]
Personal life
Ivy was born as Kristy Wallace in San Bernardino, California, and raised near Sacramento. In 1972, while attending Sacramento State College, Wallace met future Cramps singer Lux Interior.[5]
The couple had been together for 37 years, until his death on February 4, 2009.[6] She lives in Glendale, California.
References
- ^ Jas Obrecht (August 1990). "Oooh! Poison Ivy". Guitar Player Magazine. Phnet.fi. Archived from the original (Article) on 25 December 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ J. H. Sasfy (1979). "The Cramps biography" (Extract from early biography). Liner notes of The Cramps 1979 release Gravest Hits. Thecramps.com. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- ^ Garry Mulholland (December 2006). "Aloha from hell! The grave tale of a dead serious rock'n'roll band" (Article). The Stool Pigeon. Thestoolpigeon.co.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- ^ [1] [dead link]
- ^ Pius (23 February 1992). "Poison Ivy 1992 Interview" (Interview). PENETRATING INSIGHTS. Nonozeroblog.blogspot.com. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- ^ Family
External links
- Official Site of The Cramps
Media related to Poison Ivy at Wikimedia Commons
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
 | This article on a United States rock guitarist is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This article about a United States rock singer is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |