Johnny Thunders at Scorgies - Photo by J. Laben
I remember The Heartbreakers show at Scorgies.
Richard Hell and Walter Luhr had dropped out for that one.
I really wanted the Bowery Boys to open one of the 2 shows but we were’nt part of the clique that had started and were more or less getting squeezed out of the scene we helped create. Egomania was’nt my thing so I layed low. Most of the new people made me sick, they weren’t even musicians, but scenesters with instruments.
It’s funny though because the poster says “featuring Walter Luhr”. I don’t remember him being there.
I hung with them in the dressing room before the show and on the way to the stage, I asked Johnny to play “Can’t put your arms around a memory” in the set. He did and dedicated it to Walter.
I remember hearing Johnny saying “This ones for Walltah”
As I recall, it was Johnny, Luigi, Big Tony, and Jerry Nolan.
They arrived early evening and I helped Jerry and Johnny score some naughty stuff and we spent about 20 minutes at my bands practice place.
While waiting for the man we jammed on some blues, Afterwards, Jerry said Johnny wants to know if I want to join there band. It was wierd because Johnny was standing there looking at me like Jerry was his interpreter. I politely declined and explained I had a band already (and wasn’t into that naughty stuff that kills people). It was exciting hanging with them but the thought of joining a band of junkies was a real turnoff for me. I was battling depression and barely clinging on to life as it was. I was never into getting famous at all, but I sure like it when we made some bread playing rock and roll.
The landlord liked getting his rent as well.
Johnny gave me a, DON’T YOU KNOW WHO WE ARE, YOU STUPID ASS ? kind of look.
I didn’t care. I hung out with them again in the dressing room later that night but few words were exchanged. The contract had them going on about midnight and they rolled in at about 5 after One. Scorgie was really pissed but they played a very hot set. There is a tape floating around somewhere of that show. I think Big Tony (bass) came into the upstairs dressing room first, followed by Luigi (2nd guitar). I was freaked out by Luigi because he came in, sat down, put his feet on the coffe table, pulled out a switchblade and started cleaning his fingernails.
I thought to myself, maan, these New York dudes are pretty tough.
I recalled this to Luigi and he laughed, it is but a vague memory to him now but he remembers giving the knife to Angella Bowie as a gift.
(I remember my ex drummer Scott coming in the dressing room too and remarking on how he should have stayed on drums or something of that nature. He had jumped the Bowery ship to sing for the Prestones, and he was perfect for that band so it all worked out fine.)
So Jerry, Johnny, and Big Tony are dead now, and I have been playing a few shows with Luigi lately here in New York. We live near each other in Alphabet City.
My latest band (The Bowery Boys) has played a few shows with Walter Luhr’s band The Waldo’s. Walter is a very smooth rocker and a cool guy. He still plays songs by Johnny Blunders. (as he so endearingly refers to him)
I prefer to see musicians grow old gracefully rather than die too young, leaving so much left undone.
I hung with Johnny briefly about a month before he died, when he came to Rochester to play at Jazzberries and record with the Chesterfields. I gave him the mini statue of liberty pin off my leather jacket and he immediately put it on his leather jacket. He looked very empty in his eyes and I was sad for him when I left. He signed some albums for my girl (at the time) Diane. He spelled it DIE an. I still have the albums. Johnny died about 4 or 5 weeks later. I was shocked but not suprised.
The set he played at Jazzberries was stellar. A focused, mature, fairly sober Johnny Thunders and a great sax player (who also is passed on). There is a video circulating.
POP CULTURE IS A KILLER SOMETIMES. Children beware. Peace {:->
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