After more than six decades behind the scenes in the music industry, Marty Kramer has decided it's time to share his stories. The 78-year-old Canadian veteran, who has worked with a who's who of rock and roll royalty, has co-authored a new book to ensure his tales live on.
A Life in Music Management
Kramer's career is a tapestry of iconic names and moments. He has served as a manager, tour manager, road manager, and production manager for legends including Ringo Starr, Roy Orbison, Tina Turner, and Neil Young. His journey even includes work with celebrity impersonators, a niche explored in the documentary Almost Almost Famous.
Among his longest professional relationships are those with fellow Winnipeggers Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings of The Guess Who. Kramer's connection to Cummings dates back to their teenage years. He still possesses a priceless piece of Canadiana: a business card for Cummings' first band, The Deverons, described as a "Distinctive Vocal and Instrumental Group."
In a move that perfectly captures his resourceful character, Kramer once modified that very card. "I didn't have any money for new cards," he explains. On the bottom left, he scratched out the name of the original guitarist/manager, Derek Bilyk, and penned "Martin Kramer." On the bottom right, he wrote Burton Cummings' name and home phone number.
Spinning Stories at Every Speed
Kramer describes his anecdotes with a vinyl collector's flair. He has "33-1/3 rpm stories"—the long, detailed versions like a full album—and "45 stories"—the quick, punchy tales akin to a single. His new book, Road Boss, co-written with David Wolinsky and published by Mosaic Press, is designed to read as fast as he talks.
The book launches readers directly into the action, beginning with a memorable incident from 1970. Kramer was tasked with handing guitars to Jimmy Page before a Led Zeppelin concert in Winnipeg. There was one small problem: he didn't know what the legendary guitarist looked like.
"I knew from bands that the drummer and the bassist go on at the right and the lead singer and the guitarist usually go on at the left," Kramer recounts. His solution was to ask the tour manager for the stage layout, confirming that Robert Plant would enter last. With that strategic information, he successfully identified and handed the instruments to Page.
Preserving a Legacy
Now at 78, Kramer's motivation for writing is clear: he wants to tell these stories "while I'm still above ground." His career is a living archive of music history, filled with personal mementos like the boots autographed by The Who's late bassist, John Entwistle, with lyrics from "Boris The Spider."
Road Boss serves as both a memoir and a historical record, capturing the essence of a life spent in the whirlwind of rock 'n' roll. From his Winnipeg roots with future Canadian icons to the global stages with international superstars, Marty Kramer's journey offers a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the music that defined generations.
