| 57th | Top musicians in the first wave of punk rock |
| The Heartbreakers | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers |
| Origin | New York, USA |
| Genres | Punk rock, rock & roll[1] |
| Years active | 1975 – 1978, 1982, 1984, 1990 |
| Labels | Track, Jungle |
| Associated acts | New York
Dolls The Voidoids |
| Former members | |
| Johnny
Thunders Walter Lure Jerry Nolan Billy Rath Richard Hell |
|
The Heartbreakers, also known as Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers, were an American rock & roll band formed in New York in May 1975. The band was part of the first wave of punk rock.
Johnny Thunders (vocals/guitar) and Jerry Nolan (drums) had quit the New York Dolls, and that same week Richard Hell (vocals/bass) was forced out of Television. The trio joined forces, and after a few shows added Walter Lure (vocals/guitar), who had played with a group called the Demons.
In 1976, Hell was either pushed out of the Heartbreakers or quit the group, and was replaced by Billy Rath, who, according to legend, was a gigolo. Hell went on to form his own band, The Voidoids.
Arriving for a European tour just as the UK punk scene was building momentum, the Heartbreakers developed a following playing in and around London. The band's members and image were widely associated with drug use, specifically heroin. The Sex Pistols invited them to open for them on the ill-fated Anarchy Tour. They shortly signed with Track Records. Their debut—and only—studio album, L.A.M.F., featured all the Heartbreakers' popular live songs. The release of the album put a huge strain on the band, because of anger among some band members over the poor quality of the mix. Several of the members of the band left at this point. The band reformed in 1979 for a few farewell shows at Max's Kansas City with drummer Ty Stix sitting in for Nolan and resulting in the album Live at Max's Kansas City '79. The Heartbreakers' song, "London Boys", is a swipe at the Sex Pistols, in response to the Pistols' "New York", a put-down of the New York Dolls.
The band re-formed occasionally to play at New York clubs until the death of Johnny Thunders in 1991. Jerry Nolan died in 1992. Live shows often consisted of songs performed with the New York Dolls or taken from Johnny Thunders' solo career. Richard Hell rarely plays music live, concentrating instead on writing and spoken-word performances. Billy Rath's whereabouts are currently unknown, leading to various rumors such as that he died or became a priest. Walter Lure still performs sporadically when his day job allows the time for it. In 2007 he went on a short European tour.
| Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | The Heartbreakers |
| Origin | New York, United States |
| Genres | Punk rock, R&B, rock and roll |
| Years active | 1975–1978, 1982, 1984, 1990 |
| Labels | Track, Jungle |
| Associated acts | New York Dolls The Voidoids Television |
| Former members | |
| Johnny Thunders Walter Lure Jerry Nolan Billy Rath Richard Hell | |
Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, also known as The Heartbreakers, were an American rock band. They formed in New York in May 1975. They were one of the first punk rock bands. One of their most popular songs was called Chinese Rocks. Dee Dee Ramone and Richard Hell wrote this song about heroin in 1976.
Contents |
Johnny Thunders (vocals/guitar) and Jerry Nolan (drums) had quit the New York Dolls. That same week Richard Hell (vocals/bass) was kicked out of Television. The three musicians joined to make the new band. After a few shows, Walter Lure (vocals/guitar) from a group called The Demons joined the band also. In 1976, Hell left group. He was replaced by Billy Rath. Hell went on to form his own band, The Voidoids.
The Heartbreakers came to Europe to tour just as the UK punk scene was growing. The Heartbreakers got many fans by playing in and around London. The Sex Pistols invited them to play first on the Anarchy Tour. Many things went wrong on this tour.
They soon signed a contract with Track Records. Their debut—and only—studio album, L.A.M.F., had all the Heartbreakers' popular live songs. Making and selling this album caused problems for the band. Some band members were angry about the poor quality of the sound. Several members of the band left at this point. The Heartbreakers reformed in 1979 for a few goodbye shows at Max's Kansas City with drummer Ty Stix replacing Nolan. These shows were recorded and became the album Live at Max's Kansas City '79. The Heartbreakers' song, "London Boys", insulted the Sex Pistols. This was to answer the Sex Pistols' song "New York", that insulted the New York Dolls.
The band got back together sometimes to play at New York clubs until Johnny Thunders died in 1991. Jerry Nolan died in 1992. These live shows often had songs from the New York Dolls or from Thunders' solo career. Hell rarely plays music live, concentrating instead on writing and spoken-word performances. Lure became a stockbroker on Wall St. but still performs once in a while when he is not working at his regular job. In 2007 Lure went on a short European tour.
  | NME Artists - Heartbreakers - - news, pictures, reviews, biography, videos, best songs, discography, books, DVDs, concerts, gossip, pictures and tour dates |
| | The Heartbreakers: Information from Answers.com - The Heartbreakers: Information from Answers.com |
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