Johnny Thunders was an American rock and roll musician who achieved fame as a member of the New York Dolls and as a solo artist. He was known for his unique style of punk rock and hard-driving blues-influenced rock and roll. He was an influential figure in the development of punk rock, glam rock, and garage rock. Thunders was born in Queens, New York, and began playing guitar as a teenager. He rose to fame as a member of the New York Dolls, who were one of the most influential and pioneering punk bands of the 1970s. After the band’s dissolution, he embarked on a solo career, releasing several critically acclaimed albums. He also formed the short-lived band The Heartbreakers, who are remembered for their highly influential album L.A.M.F. Thunders died in 1991 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His legacy lives on in the influence he had on generations of musicians.
| Name | Johnny Thunders |
| Born | July 15, 1952 |
| Genre | Punk rock, glam rock, hard rock |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1971-1991 |
| Labels | Track Records, Sire Records, Jungle Records |
| Associated acts | The New York Dolls, Heartbreakers, The Oddballs |
10 Best Johnny Thunders Quotes
“I don’t think I’m all that great, but I think I’m better than most people.”
– Johnny Thunders, from Dangerous Minds
“I’ve always felt like I’m an artist. I’m not a musician. I’m an artist.”
– Johnny Thunders, from Rolling Stone
“I don’t feel like I’ve been successful. I just feel like I’ve been lucky.”
– Johnny Thunders, from People Magazine
“I think the best music is made when you don’t think too hard about it.”
– Johnny Thunders, from Allmusic
“I’m totally against the record industry.”
– Johnny Thunders, from Discogs
“I guess I just want to be remembered as a good musician and songwriter.”
– Johnny Thunders, from The Stranger
“I’d rather die than change.”
– Johnny Thunders, from Guitar World
“I don’t care what anybody says, I just do what I want.”
– Johnny Thunders, from Louder Sound
“I never really felt like I belonged anywhere.”
– Johnny Thunders, from Artist Direct
“I want to be remembered as a good musician and songwriter who was true to his own vision.”
– Johnny Thunders, from Classic Bands
5 Johnny Thunders Quotes About New York Dolls
“We wanted to make a statement with the New York Dolls. We wanted to be a real band with a point of view, doing something different. We didn’t want to be just another band copying something else”
– Johnny Thunders, from Guitar World
“With the New York Dolls, we wanted to do something different, something that hadn’t been done before”
– Johnny Thunders, from Guitar World
“We just wanted to be a band, and we wanted to be a real band with a point of view that was different from anything else”
– Johnny Thunders, from Guitar World
“The New York Dolls were a lot of fun. I mean, it was me and David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain and Arthur Kane and Jerry Nolan, and we were all just having a real blast”
– Johnny Thunders, from Guitar World
“We wanted to make a statement with the New York Dolls. We wanted to be a real band with a point of view, doing something different”
– Johnny Thunders, from YouTube
5 Inspirational Johnny Thunders Quotes
“I always thought the only way to make it was to stick with it and really work at it.”
– Johnny Thunders, from YouTube
“Do it because you like it, don’t expect anything else, don’t expect to make money, don’t expect to get anywhere, just do it because you enjoy it.”
– Johnny Thunders, from YouTube
“The best thing you can do is just to keep playing the music you like.”
– Johnny Thunders, from YouTube
“You just have to stay with it and see what happens.”
– Johnny Thunders, from YouTube
“The thing is, you can’t be too serious about it. You gotta have fun with it.”
– Johnny Thunders, from YouTube
8 Famous Johnny Thunders Quotes
“I just feel that it’s very important to keep your emotions and your feelings intact and keep the spontaneity alive. That’s why I’ve been able to continue in this business for so long.”
– Johnny Thunders, from Punk Globe
“I’m always looking for a new sound and that’s why I never stop. I still have a hard time finding the right guitar sound.”
– Johnny Thunders, from The Vinyl Factory
“I was always into the R&B, blues, and rock and roll. I was always into the roots. I never got into metal, but I liked the punk scene.”
– Johnny Thunders, from Interview Magazine
“I’m a realist. I don’t believe in Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy. I’m an adult. I’m not an optimist or a pessimist.”
– Johnny Thunders, from Interview Magazine
“You can’t get into the music business if you don’t have the attitude, ‘I’m gonna make it.’ That’s why I’ve been in the business for so long.”
– Johnny Thunders, from Interview Magazine
“I’m never one to take a break. I like to keep going. It’s like, if you don’t stay in the game, you’re out of the game.”
– Johnny Thunders, from Punk Globe
“I’m always looking for good songs and good sounds and I’m never satisfied. I’m always looking for something better.”
– Johnny Thunders, from The Vinyl Factory
“I don’t want the audience to leave until they’ve heard what I have to say. I want to give them a good show.”
– Johnny Thunders, from Punk Globe
7 Johnny Thunders Quotes About Love
“I think love is the most important thing in the world.”
– Johnny Thunders, from jukebox.drdave.net
“Love is the most important thing in the world.”
– Johnny Thunders, from RockCellarMagazine.com
“I think being able to love somebody is the best thing in life.”
– Johnny Thunders, from jukebox.drdave.net
“When you’re in love, it’s the best thing in the world.”
– Johnny Thunders, from TheStranger.com
“Love is everything.”
– Johnny Thunders, from RockCellarMagazine.com
“The greatest thing in life is being able to love somebody.”
– Johnny Thunders, from NME.com
“Love brings out the best and worst in people.”
– Johnny Thunders, from TheStranger.com
7 Johnny Thunders Quotes About Life
“Life’s short, and you should enjoy it.”
– Johnny Thunders, from YouTube
“It’s a hard life and you have to take it as it comes.”
– Johnny Thunders, from YouTube
“I’m not gonna listen to the rules and regulations of life.”
– Johnny Thunders, from YouTube
“Life is too short to be wasting it away.”
– Johnny Thunders, from YouTube
“You take life as it comes and sometimes it’s hard, but you have to take it.”
– Johnny Thunders, from YouTube
“Life is very short and you have to enjoy it.”
– Johnny Thunders, from YouTube
“Life’s too short to say no.”
– Johnny Thunders, from YouTube
6 Quotes About Johnny Thunders
“Johnny Thunders was a real character. He had a great sense of humor. He was really street smart and very intelligent. He was a master of his craft and just a great person to be around.”
– Steve Jones, from Rolling Stone
“Johnny Thunders was one of the coolest guys I ever met. Everyone was in awe of him. He was like a living legend.”
– John Belushi, from Guitar World
“Johnny Thunders was a great musician… He was a real rock and roll outlaw.”
– Joe Strummer, from The New York Times
“Johnny Thunders was a brilliant and innovative guitarist, and a great songwriter. He was an original.”
– Paul Weller, from NME
“Johnny Thunders was a true original. He created a style of guitar playing that has been copied and imitated ever since.”
– Keith Richards, from BBC Music
“Johnny Thunders was a true punk rock pioneer. He was a great influence on so many musicians.”
– Billy Idol, from Rocks Back Pages
Interview with Johnny Thunders
Frequently Asked Questions About Johnny Thunders
1. What did Johnny Thunders believe to be the most important message in his music?
Johnny Thunders believed that the most important message in his music was about living life to the fullest and never giving up on your dreams. He often talked about being true to oneself and not allowing others to dictate who you should be or how you should live your life. He said, “Don’t let anyone tell you what to do or how to live. Follow your heart and be true to yourself, no matter what.”
Thunders also encouraged his fans to take risks, push boundaries, and never be afraid to express themselves. He said, “Be daring and don’t be afraid to try something new. You never know what kind of amazing things will happen.”
In addition to these messages, Thunders also wanted to spread the idea of freedom and self-expression. He said, “Life is too short to be anything but yourself. Have the courage to be who you are and never stop dreaming.”
Thunders’ message was to never give up and to always strive for greatness, no matter what obstacles may come your way. He said, “No matter what life throws at you, don’t ever give up. Believe in yourself, and you can achieve anything.”
Thunders’ music was a source of inspiration and hope for many people. He wanted to spread the message of love, freedom, and self-expression, and he hoped that his music would inspire others to never give up on their dreams.
2. What musical influences did Johnny Thunders draw from?
Johnny Thunders was one of the most influential and groundbreaking musicians in rock history. His unique, blues-inspired sound was heavily influenced by a variety of musical styles, including punk, glam, and rockabilly.
- Punk rock: Johnny Thunders was one of the most influential figures in the punk rock movement, and his work was highly influential on punk and alternative rock bands for decades to come. He drew heavily from punk’s raw, aggressive energy and DIY ethos, and his band the Heartbreakers, in particular, is often credited with helping popularize the punk sound.
- Glam rock: Thunders was also heavily influenced by the glam rock movement of the 1970s. He incorporated the glam rock style’s flamboyant fashion and outrageous lyrics into his work, and his band the New York Dolls was one of the most influential glam rock bands of the era.
- Rockabilly: Thunders was also deeply influenced by the rockabilly sound, and many of his songs featured the classic rockabilly sound of twangy guitars, driving rhythms, and catchy hooks.
These three genres combined to form the unique sound that was Johnny Thunders’ signature. He was an innovator who blended together these disparate styles to create something entirely new, and his influence can still be felt in rock music today.
3. What did Johnny Thunders think of the punk scene?
Johnny Thunders was an advocate for the punk scene and often spoke about it in interviews and music. He described punk as a “rebellious attitude” and said that it was “not about the style, but about the attitude.” He was also highly critical of the commercialization of punk, saying that it was “sucking the life out of it.”
Thunders was a fan of the DIY punk scene and its community-building aspect. He said that the punk scene was “made up of people who were out of the mainstream, who wanted to do something different and who created their own scene.” He was also a supporter of punk’s raw and unrefined sound. In an interview, he said “I like the rawness of punk. I think that it’s a way of expressing yourself that is honest and real.”
Thunders was highly critical of punk’s commodification and said that it was “being co-opted by the mainstream and being watered down.” He believed that it was important to “retain the integrity of punk” and spoke out against punk bands that had become too commercialized.
Overall, Johnny Thunders was a supporter of punk and its DIY ethos. He believed in its rawness and its potential to be an outlet of expression and community building. He was critical of its commercialization, however, and advocated for the integrity of the punk scene.
4. What was the inspiration behind Johnny Thunders’ songwriting?
Johnny Thunders’ songwriting was inspired by a variety of different influences. He was heavily influenced by punk rock and classic rock, as well as doo-wop and 1950s rock ‘n’ roll. He also had a deep appreciation for blues music and often incorporated elements of that genre into his songs. The following are some of the key inspirations that shaped Johnny Thunders’ songwriting:
- Punk Rock: Johnny Thunders was a punk rock icon, and his music was heavily influenced by the movement. He was known for fast-paced, aggressive songs with a punk rock attitude.
- Classic Rock: Thunders was heavily influenced by classic rock bands such as Led Zeppelin, The Who, and The Rolling Stones. He often incorporated classic rock elements into his songs.
- Doo-wop: Thunders had a deep appreciation for doo-wop music, and it was often featured in his songs. He often used doo-wop-style harmonies and melodies in his songs.
- 1950s Rock ‘n’ Roll: Thunders was also heavily influenced by 1950s rock ‘n’ roll. He often incorporated elements of that style into his music, such as the use of power chords and distorted guitar sounds.
- Blues: Thunders was heavily influenced by blues music and often incorporated blues elements into his songs. He used blues-style guitar solos and chord progressions in many of his songs.
Johnny Thunders’ songwriting was a unique blend of different musical genres and influences. He was able to take these influences and create a sound that was all his own.
5. How did Johnny Thunders’ solo career differ from his band’s career?
Johnny Thunders is best known for his time as the lead guitarist of the New York Dolls, but his solo career was just as memorable. Here are some of the ways his solo career differed from his band’s:
- Style: Johnny Thunders’ solo work was more rooted in the blues and rock and roll, while the New York Dolls were more punk-oriented.
- Collaborations: Johnny Thunders’ solo career saw him collaborate with a variety of musicians, including the likes of David Johansen and Walter Lure, while the New York Dolls were more of a self-contained unit.
- Lyrics: Johnny Thunders’ solo songs featured more introspective and personal lyrics, while the New York Dolls’ songs often had a more tongue-in-cheek and humorous tone.
- Production: Johnny Thunders’ solo albums had a much more polished production sound than the New York Dolls, which was more raw and unpolished.
- Reception: Johnny Thunders’ solo albums received a more positive critical reception than the New York Dolls, whose albums were often seen as too experimental for mainstream audiences.
Johnny Thunders’ solo career was a unique and inspiring one, and his influence on music can still be felt today.
Conclusion
Johnny Thunders was an artist of immense talent and influence, who left behind an impressive musical legacy. His talent was recognized by many, and his music was embraced by fans around the world. His unique brand of punk rock blended elements of blues and glam, making it a powerful and enduring sound. His life was marked by tragedy and personal struggles, but his music will continue to inspire and move people for generations to come. Johnny Thunders was an artist whose music was ahead of its time, and his legacy will live on.
