The Heartbreakers - Classic US Punk

Heartbreakers - History 1

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The Heartbreakers were formed in 1975 by Ex New York Dolls Thunders and Nolan who tiring of being virtually Johansson's backing band had quit. They hooked up with Richard Hell who had just quit Television and adding Walter Lure became a four piece. Their name came from a comic book.

They had a mixed reputation in the States not least on account of The Doll's chequered past. Able to draw the crowds but unable to secure a record deal they watched as peers such as The Ramones and Patti Smith got deals. In 1976 Hell jumped ship to form the Voidoids and Billy Rath joined.

"He wasn't happy playing the kind of rock'n'roll we were into. He's into the Television/Patti Smith vein, and we had to cater to him a lot...when he left we got better quickly."
Jerry Nolan Zigzag 71 April 1977



Roxy Flyer	Anarchy Tour poster

Immediately the band began ramping up the tunes that would be their set. Hearing of the nascent punk scene in the UK and Mclaren (ex manager of the New York Dolls) no doubt glad to have a living legend in Thunders on his package invited The Heartbreakers (subtitled 'ex New York Dolls') to join the ill fated Anarchy Tour.

"We love that sort of craziness - PA columns being pulled over. People jumping up and down bouncing their heads off the ceiling, getting into fights. Its great: all those people going out of their minds! We have a mutual admiration society with our audiences." Walter Lure Zigzag 71 April 1977

Once in the UK they received a rapturous reception playing gigs like The Roxy and Vortex and slotting perfectly in the emerging punk scene. They brought with them, attitude, professionalism, a heap of catchy punky tunes and a legends in Nolan and Thunders. They also brought hard drugs and Nancy Spungen with them which was later to have such disastrous effects on the punk scene, Sid Vicious in particular and The Sex Pistols.

History Part 2