Billy Rath
| The Heartbreakers | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers |
| Origin | New York City, United States |
| Genres | Punk rock, rock and roll |
| Years active | 1975–1978, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1990 |
| Labels | Track, Jungle |
| Associated acts | New York Dolls, Ramones, Richard Hell and the Voidoids |
| Past members |
Johnny Thunders Jerry Nolan Richard Hell Walter Lure Billy Rath Ty Stix Tony Coiro Joey Pinter Jeff West |
The Heartbreakers, also known as Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers to distinguish them from Tom Petty's band, were an American punk rock band, formed in New York City in May, 1975. The band spearheaded the first wave of punk rock.
In May 1975, Johnny Thunders (vocals/guitar) and Jerry Nolan (drums) quit the New York Dolls, the same week that Richard Hell (vocals/bass) left Television. Their first gig was on May 31 of that year, at the Coventry, a rock club in Queens. The trio soon added Walter Lure (guitar/vocals) to the line-up. Lure had previously played with a glam-punk band called the Demons.
In early 1976 Thunders walked out on the line-up, due to Hell's attempts to impose his will on the band and on their performances, and Lure and Nolan followed, so in effect the band left Hell. Richard Hell was replaced by Billy Rath. Hell then went on to form his own band, with his name prominent in the band name: Richard Hell and the Voidoids.
Arriving for a European tour just as the UK punk scene was building momentum, the Heartbreakers developed a following in and around London. The band's members and image were widely associated with drug use, specifically heroin. The Sex Pistols invited the band to open for them on the ill-fated Anarchy Tour (the Sex Pistols at this time were managed by Malcolm McLaren, who had previously managed The New York Dolls). The Heartbreakers briefly signed with Track Records. Their debut, and only studio album, L.A.M.F. was poorly received (the titular initialisation represents a phrase from New York street-slang and graffiti, "Like A Mother-Fucker"). The release of the album created conflict within the band, due to the poor quality of the recording and difficulty in the mastering process, the blame for which rests with producer Speedy Keen. Jerry Nolan left the band at this point because he didn't like the mix of the album (Nolan had had a go at re-mixing the album himself, but wasn't satisifed with the results). The band reformed in 1979 for a few farewell shows at Max's Kansas City with drummer Ty Stix sitting in for Nolan. These shows recorded and released under the title Live at Max's Kansas City '79. The Heartbreakers' 1977 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.
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