July 2, 1981. The Cramps played at the Pop Shop beneath the old Cleveland Agora on E. 24th St. In the center of this photo are (L-R): Patti Spraypaint (back to camera, facing me), Waldo (against the wall), and our friend Kelly Sidekick. We were all underage, not that anyone cared much. Patti didn’t appreciate being photographed and eventually snarled at the photographer. The photographer wisely slunk away. We only dated for a few months but remained friends. If at any time you so much as dared to give me a dirty look, Patti would launch herself at you - claws out, teeth bared. Patti died in 1984. It appears that she has two headstones, I don’t know the story behind that.
[Allegedly Patti was also briefly part of Prince’s entourage.]
“The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long.” - Blade Runner
I searched for this photo for several years, perhaps decades. Thanks to Scene Magazine and Cleveland Public Library for finally putting these archives online.