Johnny Thunder

Johnny Thunders

Once again on Tubi I saw another documentary worth watching, "Johnny Thunders". Born in 1952 in Queens, New York, John Genzali would grow to become one of the most influential guitarists in Rock, Punk Rock, New Wave and even acoustic guitar.

"Thunders" would front both the New York Dolls as well as The Heartbreakers. Particularly The New York Dolls would command the punk seen for two solid years with the production of two albums during 1973 and 1974. The band was fronted by David Johansen and would later take on Jerry Nolan after Billy Murcia's untimely death in London, England.

It would be the bands hard partying that would break up the band. Since the "Dolls" had trouble keeping a record label, it had no alternative but to break up. The same can be said for "The Heartbreakers". With the exception of Jerry Nolan, this new band had all new musicians. But they too would not be able to solidify any meaningful record label and the band had a little bit longer stint then the dolls would have.

The "Dolls" had the same manager as " The Sex Pistols" in Malcolm McLauren. McLauren tried to have the same sound, the same look as each other, and this led to part of "The Dolls" demise. The band began to have tension in it much like "The Pistols".

In the mid 70's, "The Dolls" had a lot of influences on bands at that time. For instance, Iggy Pop and "The Stooges" paid careful attention to the "Dolls", particularly Johnny. Many thought Thunder had a ton of talent. Both his lead guitar, his bass and particularly his vocals were electrifying. In the documentary many interviewed said that he poured all his energy into his songs. In fact, Bob Dylan once commented that he had wished he wrote one of his songs for himself.

Thunder would end up having a solo career at the end of his life. His terrible drug addiction would ruin most of his career. He had cancer at the end of his life. He would end up in New Orleans trying to rid his addiction by using morphine, however, he would succumb to illness in 1991. John Genzali of both Neapolitan and Sicilian ancestry was a die hard baseball fan and player as a boy. Listening to his sisters records would get him interested in music. From East Elmherst to Jackson Heights, he would hone his craft and go on to be one of the most respected guitarists in the New York seen. He would play clubs like Max's Kansas City as well as many underground clubs during the 70's.

It would be his addiction that prevented him from becoming as big, if not bigger than many of the great punk bands such as "The Clash". Even "The New York Dolls" and :The Heartbreakers" were able to gin up some great New Wave music. When Johnny played acoustic guitar, both the lyrics and his playing were fantastic. He was heavily followed in the downtown seen during the 70's and 80'. Like say a Jim Morrison, he was never reliable in concert. Many times he would stumble on stage, fall while playing, even fall into the crowd at times.

The only last musician who would stand by him was Jerry Nolan, but even he would part ways with Johnny. Between money issues and Thunders drug issues he just couldn't take it any longer.

Johnny Thunders, Bob Dylan, www.robertmmassimi.com, New York City, The New York Dolls, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, The Velvet Underground, New Orleans, London, England, Jerry Nolan, The Heartbreakers, Punk Rock.