See also: Johnny, Thunders

John Anthony Genzale Jr (July 15th 1952, Florida - April 23rd 1991, La Nouvelle-Orléans), more known under the name of Johnny Thunders was the guitarist soloist of the group The New York Dolls of 1972 to 1975.

Biography

In 1975, it left the New York Dolls in company of the beater Jerry Nolan to go to found the group The Heartbreakers with Richard Hell, former bass player of Television. Richard Hell did not form nevertheless any more part of the group at the end of little time (there did not even remain the time of an album there) due to mutual incompatibility with Johnny Thunders; it formed The Voidoids little time afterwards.

Johnny Thunders died on April 23rd, 1991 more or less officially of an overdose in a hotel of La Nouvelle-Orléans. This version is doubtful, insofar as johnny Thunders had followed a program to methadone for several years. Witnesses, in the hotel clearly saw traces of blows on its body.

Addiction or creation?

Although Johnny Thunders is known for its addiction with heroin, its contribution remains naturally musical. A particular sound of guitar, a technique derived from Chuck Berry, as well as from Link Wray, a repertory centered on a primitive Rock'n'roll but which sounds surprisingly new, of the homogeneous compositions supplied with the streets of New York - one as well finds harmonies common to Willie de Ville as in Bruce Springsteen, in one made sound obviously very different make of Johnny Thunders a character headlight in the Rock'n'roll, marking the beginning of a new stage. English Punks will be recognized there, initially through the New York Dolls, then Heartbreakers (not to confuse with Heartbreakers of Tom Petty). Lastly, one will retain the sometimes dubious voice, always émotionnellement charged which will point out the deep sensitivity of Johnny Thunders.

Its mysterious end (see higher) will feed the saga the battered notorious one, whereas it was detoxicated and followed a program methadone since 1987. Willie DeVille, which occupied a room of the same hotel of New-Orleans the night of its death, attests some and leans for the thesis of the assassination. The police force of Crescent City did not believe good to continue the investigation, considering that he was a notorious drug addict, died in the usual circumstances of this company.

Its reputation, for the amateurs of Rock'n'roll, will remain that of a creator, one of those which allows the kind of perdurer.

A portrait of Johnny Thunders appears in the collection Poussières of angels of the novelist Ann Scott under the title Retour to Pigalle .

He also played his own part in the film " Mona and me " , Patrick Grandperret, France, 1989.

Guns' Pink paid to him a homage through the song " so fine". Slash and Duff McKagan are indeed fans of this guitarist. Album " Use Your Illusion II (blue) - Title n°10 - So Fine".

Discography

New York Frauds

• New York Frauds (1973)
• Too Much Too Soon (1974)
• Lipstick Killers - The Mercer Street Sessions 1972 (1981)
• Obvious Red Leather (1984)

The Heartbreakers

• L.A.M.F (1977)
• Heartbreaker Live At Max' S (1979)
live
• DTK LAMF At the speakeasy (1977)
• Live At the Lyceum (1984)

Johnny Thunders

• So Alone (1978, Real)
• In Cold Blood (1983, New Pink)
• Hurt Me (1984, New Pink)
• Which Will be, Will be (1987, Jungle)
• Copy Cats (1988, Jungle) with Patti Palladin