23 April 2023

John Anthony Genzale was born 70 years ago today in Queens, New York. His mother was of Italian descent, and his father was of Italian, Russian-Jewish, and German-Jewish ancestry.
After years of drug abuse, the rock guitar hero collapsed and died in 1991. R.I.P.

Before he joined (1971) the New York Dolls, the coolest glam and glitter gang in rock ‘n roll history, he had a couple bands of his own. He was a fanatic fan of Keith Richards. He copied his guitar style and his poses, while his sister styled his hair like Keef.

After 2 albums Johnny left to jump on the punk train and
formed The Heartbreakers with Richard Hell, who left soon.

Eventually, he started a solo career. He assembled a cast of ’70s punk and rock stars – Chrissie Hynde, Phil Lynott, Peter Perrett, Steve Marriott, and Pistols Paul Cook, and Steve Jones, among others – for his debut solo LP So Alone, released in 1978.

His masterstroke single You Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory
was/is certainly his most memorable achievement.

Studio version

Live

JOHNNY THUNDERS: Bio – Discography