It’s 50 years since punk rock first arose from the streets of London to mortify great swathes of polite British society. 50 years since The Damned released their debut single, “New Rose,” in October 1976. And 50 years since Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers stepped out of New York legend, and flew into London to tour with the Sex Pistols.
That tour largely fell apart in the aftermath of the Pistols’ profanity-laden live TV interview at the beginning of December, 1976 - up and down the country, outraged councils banned the band from ever setting foot in their local venues, and they meant it as well. Gigs were canceled, protestors protested… ah, happy days.
The Heartbreakers themselves were not heartbroken. Already they had seen and heard enough to know that the UK was the perfect base for operations. Long before the ill-fated Anarchy tour, the British music press had been documenting their development, even as the American media all but ignored them.
The band did return to New York occasionally, though, and one of the greatest live recordings in Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers’ catalog emerged from one such moment, a frantic guest-star packed appearance at the Village Gate in New York City, in August 1977 - right around the same time as Elvis Presley died, and just a couple of days after Johnny Thunders got married.
Fiery, frenzied, a non-stop shock of pure punk slash and burn, those Village Gate shows, guitarist Walter Lure recalled, “were truly the peak of the Heartbreakers—particularly the second and third nights. For some reason, none of us had scored before the first show, so we loaded up on Billy [Rath, bassist]’s speed beforehand. We also blew out the PA on the first night. We learned our lesson and doubled our efforts to pick up some junk the next day.
“Periodically, or so I’ve heard, different elements of the Village Gate audience would break into their own bellowed response to Presley’s passing, but I can’t say it affected us. We just enjoyed playing for a huge hometown crowd… they must have been educated during the six months we went away.
“They even danced to us there! Pogo dancing! We looked out and there they all were, jumping up and down, really up. There’s a live album out that was recorded at the Gate, and it’s really one of our better shows.”
Could there be a more trustworthy recommendation?
With special guests Robert Gordon and Thunders’ fellow New York Doll Sylvain Sylvain making appearances, LAMF - Live at the Village Gate 1977 is available on both CD in a deluxe mini LP gatefold sleeve, and on gorgeous opaque pink vinyl!
Meanwhile, punk’s 50 year celebration charges on, and Cleopatra Records joins the party with a catalog brimming with first wave punk rock giants.
From The Damned to the Dickies, and ex-Runaway Cherie Currie to the Dead Boys; from The Members and The Vibrators to 999, and The Skids, brilliant new releases and precious archive treasures alike have lit up the shelves, and every month through 2026, Cleopatra Records will be spotlighting a fresh classic from the catalog.
Last time around it was Eater’s tribute to the first months of UK punk. Next month… hmm. Wait and see. But this month, we raise a glass to Johnny Thunder’s and the Heartbreakers, not only for what they did back then, but also for the fact that their influence continues to twist minds and corrupt should, and kick out some of the most exciting rock’n’roll of this, or any other era.
And look out for some more very special Johnny Thunders/Dolls releases from Cleopatra soon!
Track listing
1. Chinese Rocks
2. Pirate Love
3. Get Off The Phone
4. All By Myself
5. Let Go
6. Can’t Keep My Eyes On You
7. Chatterbox
8. One Track Mind
9. Take A Chance With Me
10. Born Too Loose
11. Boppin’ The Blues
12. Do You Love Me
13. I Wanna Be Loved
