The Heartbreakers

**The Heartbreakers** (sometimes referred to as **Johnny Thunders' 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.

## Early History and the UK

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.

## Recording

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.

## After breaking up and reunions

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 performed once in a while when not working at his regular job. Lure died August 21, 2020..

## Discography

- _L.A.M.F._ (1977, Track)
    - _L.A.M.F. Revisited_ (1984, Jungle)
    - _L.A.M.F. The Lost '77 Mixes_ (1994, Jungle)
- _Live at Max's Kansas City_ (1979, Max's Kansas City Records)
- _D.T.K. Live At The Speakeasy_ (1982, Jungle)
- _Live At The Lyceum Ballroom 1984_ (1985, Jungle)
- _Live At Mothers_ (1991, Fanclub)
- _What Goes Around_ (1991, Bomp!)
- _Vive La Révolution (Live In Paris - Le Bataclan - December 8, 1977)_ (1992, Skydog)
- _Thunderstorm In Detroit (Live At The Silverbird 21/12/80)_ (2002, Captain Trip Records)
- _Down To Kill_ (2005, Jungle)

## Other websites

- Chinese Rocks: YouTube Video

## Infobox (musical artist)

- **name**: The Heartbreakers
- **image**: NLN Johnny Thunders.jpg
- **background**: group_or_band
- **alias**: Johnny Thunders' Heartbreakers
- **origin**: New York (state), New York, United States
- **genre**: Punk rock, Rhythm and blues, R&B, rock and roll
- **years active**: 1975–1978, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1990
- **label**: Track Records, Track, Jungle Records, Jungle
- **associated acts**: New York Dolls
The Voidoids
- **past members**: Johnny Thunders
Jerry Nolan
Richard Hell
Walter Lure
Billy Rath
Ty Stix
Tony Coiro
Joey Pinter
Jeff West