Thunders, Johnny

Band members               Related acts

- Walter Lure - guitar (1983)
- Tony St. Helene - (1985)
- Jerry Nolan - drums (1987)
- Talarico - guitar (1987)
- Johnny Thunders (aka John Genzale) (RIP 1991) - vocals, guitar
- Keith Yon - (1985)

 

 

- Gang War 
- The Heartbreakers
- The New York Dolls

 

 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  So Alone

Company: Real Records

Catalog: RAL 1

Year: 1978

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: UK import

Available: 1

Price: $45.00

 We've always been fascinated by the media's willingness to sanctify the lives of marginally talented burn outs ... Under the name Johnny Volume (as in Johnny & the Jaywalkers), John Genzale started playing guitar in high school. With the band breaking up, he reappeared as a member of Actress. Actress quickly metamorphosed into The New York Dolls; Volume opting for a new professional name - Johnny Thunders.  Following the collapse of The Dolls and a brief stint with The Heartbreakers (see separate entries), guitarist Thunders embarked on what amounted to a low keyed solo career. Between 1978 and his death in 1991 he recorded eight solo albums (most limited to printings of a few thousand copies). He continued to tour, particularly Europe and Japan where his New York Dolls fame continued to attract a die-hard cult following.

Released in 1978 by the Warner Brothers affiliated Real Record label, "So Alone" was notable for it's odd cast of players. Co-produced with Steve Lillywhite, given his punk roots, cameos from the likes of Sex Pistols alumnus's Paul Cook and Steve Jones weren't a major surprise. On the other hand, appearances from Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott and Steve Mariott were unexpected ("Daddy Rollin' Stone"). Asides from the all-star supporting cast the album was pretty ghastly. Never known as a great singer; Thunders didn't disappoint, his limited range and lame deliveries were at best irritating. As a guitarist Thunders wasn't much better, though it was kinda' neat to see he still enjoyed '50s rock ("Great Big Kiss") and surf music (check out the opening cover of the Ventures' "Pipeline"). (The collection still hasn't seen an American release.)

"So Alone" track listing:
1.) Pipeline (instrumental) (Spickard - Carman) - 
2.) You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory (Johnny Thunders) - 
3.) Great Big Kiss (Catside - Parsons) - 
4.) Ask Me No Questions (Johnny Thunders) - 
5.) Leave Me Alone (Johnny Thunders) - 
6.) Daddy Rollin' Stone (Blackwell) - 
7.) London Boys (Rath - Walter Lure - Johnny Thunders) - 
8.) (She's So) Untouchable (Johnny Thunders) - 
9.) Subway Train (Johnny Thunders - David Johanssen) - 
10.) Downtown (Johnny Thunders - David Johanssen) - 

 

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