SEE & DO: Wayne Kramer plays 529 Fri., Aug. 4

Wayne Kramer has lived a storied life, steeped in the highs and lows of life as a professional musicians. As the guitarist driving Detroit, Michigan’s explosive proto-punk outfit the MC5, Kramer ushered in an era of high-energy, high-volume and politically disaffected rock ‘n’ roll in the mid-to-late ’60s and early ’70s. It was a time of great turmoil in American history. The country was still reeling from President Kennedy’s assassination, the Viet Nam war was reaching a fever pitch, and the social, political and racial tension leading to the Detroit riot of ‘67 was simmering. Kramer channeled all of that into a wild balance of cain-raising guitar fireworks blending motorik rhythms and free-jazz openness (see songs such as “Kick Out the Jams,” “Rocket Reducer No. 62 (Rama Lama Fa Fa Fa)” and “Teenage Lust.”)

Over the years Kramer has fought and won battles with drug addiction and depression, and ultimately carved a solid career as a solo artist, producer, composer for film and television, and a philanthropist of the highest order. With Jail Guitar Doors, USA, Kramer, along with his wife Margaret Saadi Kramer and folk hero Billy Bragg, provides guitars for prison inmates across the country.

Kramer is a bona fide guitar hero, and tonight (Fri., Aug. 4), he takes the stage at 529, backed by a crew of Atlanta musicians including Shannon Mulvaney on bass, Adam Renshaw of the Forty-Fives on drums and Adam McIntyre of the Pinx on guitar. It’s an early show; doors open at 6 p.m. and proceeds from the door will be donated to the Veterans Relief Fund.

[http://529atlanta.com/calendar/3949/|With Peter Holsapple of the dB’s. $15. 6 p.m. (EARLY SHOW). 529, 529 Flat Shoals Ave. 404-228-6769. www.529atlanta.com.]