Lead guitarist and songwriter of the ’60s garage rock band “We the People,” Wayne Proctor, unexpectedly passed away on Feb. 15. He was 78 years old.
According to WORJ radio station, the musician’s wife, Valerie Proctor, found her husband in their yard after he collapsed while landscaping due to a “coronary event.”
Wayne Proctor’s Wife Valerie Shares Emotional Statement
“On a beautiful Friday afternoon, after an enjoyable lunch and shopping, Wayne suffered a coronary event that happened quickly, and without notice,” Valerie wrote on Facebook. “Looking for him while he was doing yardwork, I discovered him collapsed, not breathing, no pulse. That moment my world ended. Destroyed, shattered into a million tiny razor sharp shards. It wasn’t supposed to end this way, not today, not this soon.”
Valerie went on to express how admired Wayne was by everyone — especially her. “Those that knew Wayne, loved Wayne. It was just his gentle, soft-spoken character that put people at ease,” she wrote. “And he cared for me like no one else ever had, it was always Valerie first. And most of all, he truly cared deeply for others.”
“Please pray for the family who are equally devastated, that we will find our way in a world that no longer holds a truly unique and wonderful man,” Wayne’s beloved wife added.
Wayne’s presence in We the People had a lasting impression after he left the group in 1967. Before his exit, Wayne wrote one of the band’s hit songs titled “In the Past,” according to AllMusic.
We the People was active between 1966 and 1970 after forming their group in Orlando, Florida. Popular songs of theirs included “You Burn Me Up and Down” and “My Brother the Man,” with “Mirror of Your Mind,” one of their most popular tracks, topping regional charts throughout the U.S.
Wayne Proctor Remained Active in Music His Entire Life
Wayne’s departure from the band was widely known as a pivotal setback in their success, as his lyrical talent was unparalleled to the band’s sound. Rate Your Music reported that the guitarist left We the People to return to college in an effort to dodge the Vietnam War draft.
Despite disbanding from We the People, Wayne remained active in music, having penned The Lemonade Charade hit “Follow the Yellow Brick Road,” according to his obituary. He continued to play in various bands throughout South Carolina, where he spent his life up until his death.
In the days leading up to his devastating passing, Wayne was still active in the music scene. Two days before he died, the guitarist shared a post to his Facebook, explaining how as a teenager, he looked up to The Beatles, whereas now, he found a new appreciation for Frank Sinatra, who he said he overlooked at a young age.
In a Facebook statement made by Wayne’s daughter, Alyson Jo, she expressed her regret for not making it home last Christmas to be with her dad and their family, as she had no indication that it would be their final holiday together. “I am not in the greatest of places, Dad,” Wayne’s daughter wrote. “Wish you would have waited just a little longer… But I think maybe you are in one the greatest places now, and maybe you just needed to go ahead and get there.”
