Like Cherry Vanilla and The Heartbreakers Wayne County straddled the US/UK punk scenes. A player at legendary haunts Maxes and CBGB's and peer of bands like Patti Smith, Blondie, New York Dolls and The Dictators and Ramones this exhibitionist transvestite with a penchant for large Dusty Springfield wig was already a veteran of the US scene this had already done the rounds for some 10 years to little success with his controversial graphic scatological act with an array of props and costumes.
Born in Alice, Georgia in the deep south his name was a state in Michigan - Wayne County as a tribute to the MC5. From women's impersonations he went into Dj'ing, then acting in some very alternative plays like Birth Of A Nation and Pork. While playing at The Roundhouse in London he met Bowie and like Cherry was signed to Bowie's company Mainman. Allegedly an album was to be made that never happened and $240k they spent filming Wayne Wayne At The Trucks which was a parody of New York's S&M clubs.
"My early sets were more or less a freak show with rock music behind it."
Wayne County - Ripped & Torn 6 1977
Having played to rednecks as a cross dresser, worked smaller clubs for years and hospitalised ex wrestler Dick Manitoba from the Dictators with a mike stand after being heckled, the London punk scene held no qualms for Wayne. But then again he needn't have worried. His outrageous, stage act and lyrics coincided perfectly with the nascent punk scene and swapping Max's and CBGB's for The Roxy Club and Vortex was no big deal. Along with the Heartbreakers and to a lesser extent Cherry Vanilla Wayne County & The Electric Chairs were the Americans in residence bringing fun, energetic stage shows and history with them.
Wayne County lands a serious post on the Rock & Roll Map and Pioneers Page!
