Richard Hell (born Richard Lester Meyers; October 2, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, bass guitarist and writer. He is credited as a pioneer of punk music and fashion, and was an early member of the punk rock bands Television, the Heartbreakers and the Voidoids. Hell was one of the first punk musicians to integrate the new wave sound into his music, creating a unique blend of punk, rock and new wave that was influential in the development of alternative rock in the 1980s. Hell has also released several solo albums and written numerous books, both fiction and non-fiction. He is also a visual artist, and has had his work displayed in galleries and museums around the world.
| Name | Richard Hell |
| Date of birth | October 2, 1949 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Artist, Musician, Writer |
| Style | Punk Rock |
| Notable works | Blank Generation, Destiny Street, Time |
10 Best Richard Hell Quotes
“I always wanted to be a part of something, not just making something on my own that would fit in the world.”
– Richard Hell, from The Guardian
“When I was a kid I thought being an artist was like being a god.”
– Richard Hell, from Vice
“I haven’t been so interested in acting as a pose but in acting as a kind of communication, where you’re expressing something about yourself.”
– Richard Hell, from Interview Magazine
“I don’t think of the future, I think of the present. The future is a mystery. I don’t want to know what’s going to happen—I want to find out.”
– Richard Hell, from The Guardian
“I think it’s important to keep some kind of mystery about yourself, even if it’s a small one.”
– Richard Hell, from Vice
“My idea of punk was that it was a way to express a certain kind of freedom, to find a way to do something that had its own logic and integrity and didn’t fit into the usual patterns.”
– Richard Hell, from The Guardian
“The most important thing that I learned from the punk experience was that you don’t have to be a genius to do something creative.”
– Richard Hell, from Vice
“You can create something interesting and powerful without having the ability to execute it perfectly.”
– Richard Hell, from Interview Magazine
“I think it’s much more important to be inspired than to be talented.”
– Richard Hell, from The AV Club
“I wanted to make something that was more than just entertainment but that had some kind of philosophical or spiritual implications.”
– Richard Hell, from Interview Magazine
6 Richard Hell Quotes About Richard Hell & The Voidoids
“I was never interested in taking the role of singer-as-star. I was more interested in being a kind of madman.”
– Richard Hell, from The Guardian
“I was trying to make music that was very emotional and free.”
– Richard Hell, from The Guardian
“I think the Voidoids were a great band, I was really proud of it.”
– Richard Hell, from The New York Times
“We wanted to make a record that was just punk rock in its energy and feeling, but not limited by its style.”
– Richard Hell, from AllMusic
“The Voidoids had a sound that was quite unique and really did capture the spirit of the times.”
– Richard Hell, from Rolling Stone
“I wanted to make something that would be a bit of an inspiration in and of itself.”
– Richard Hell, from The Ransom Note
5 Inspirational Richard Hell Quotes
“I think it’s important to maintain a certain level of innocence and non-cynicism.”
– Richard Hell, from The Guardian
“I think it’s healthy to stay interested in new ideas and to stay open to them.”
– Richard Hell, from The Guardian
“I think it’s important to be true to yourself and not let the conventions of the world lead you away from what you believe in.”
– Richard Hell, from The Guardian
“The important thing is to take risks and have the courage to live life to the fullest.”
– Richard Hell, from Interview Magazine
“It’s important to recognize opportunities when they come your way and to be brave enough to take advantage of them.”
– Richard Hell, from Interview Magazine
7 Famous Richard Hell Quotes
“I always thought that if I was going to be in a band, I wanted it to be a band that nobody was going to think was just another one of those bands that are trying to get famous and make money.”
– Richard Hell, from Artsy
“I just thought of playing in a band as a way to be creative that I could do with my friends, that was the main thing.”
– Richard Hell, from Artsy
“I don’t think there’s any kind of competition between me and the other people in the band. I mean, I don’t take it seriously, because I don’t think they do. We’re just having a good time.”
– Richard Hell, from Interview Magazine
“I’ve been lucky to be involved in some really interesting projects over the years. I’ve been able to do a lot of things that I’ve wanted to do.”
– Richard Hell, from Interview Magazine
“I don’t think I ever felt like I was a real rock star. I was in the midst of it, and I enjoyed it, but I never felt like I was in a position of power.”
– Richard Hell, from Interview Magazine
“I don’t think of myself as a musician, and I don’t think of myself as a poet. I think of myself as a writer.”
– Richard Hell, from The Guardian
“I’m not a joiner–I don’t like being part of a pack. I always wanted to do things my own way.”
– Richard Hell, from Noisey
5 Richard Hell Quotes About Love
“Love is the only thing that makes life worth living. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
– Richard Hell, from The Guardian
“I’m not a spiritual person in any sense, but I believe in love and that’s probably the closest to a spiritual thing as I get.”
– Richard Hell, from The Guardian
“I have a conviction that love is the only real thing.”
– Richard Hell, from The Guardian
“I think that love is the only thing that really matters, it’s the only thing that is real.”
– Richard Hell, from The New York Times
“Love is the only kind of power that matters.”
– Richard Hell, from The New York Times
5 Richard Hell Quotes About Life
“I’ve never believed in the necessity of having a plan for life.”
– Richard Hell, from The Guardian
“I think that the only true obligation in life is to be true to yourself.”
– Richard Hell, from Interview Magazine
“I think the main thing I’ve learned in life is that there’s no real reason to take things too seriously.”
– Richard Hell, from The Guardian
“You can’t expect to stay the same person your whole life. Life is a series of changes.”
– Richard Hell, from Interview Magazine
“I think that life is a great adventure.”
– Richard Hell, from Interview Magazine
6 Quotes About Richard Hell
“Richard Hell was a punk rock pioneer who fused music and fashion to create a truly original look.”
– David Hochman, from Rolling Stone
“Richard Hell’s work as a musician, writer, and artist was an essential part of the punk rock revolution.”
– The New York Times, from The New York Times
“ Richard Hell was a punk rocker who defined the look of the early NYC punk scene.”
– Billboard, from Billboard
“Richard Hell was an artist in the deepest sense of the word, and his influence has been felt in music, literature and fashion.”
– The Guardian, from The Guardian
“Richard Hell was a true innovator in the punk movement, and his influence on the genre has been lasting.”
– Pitchfork, from Pitchfork
“Richard Hell was a visionary who pushed the boundaries of music and art.”
– Rolling Stone, from Rolling Stone
Interview with Richard Hell
Frequently Asked Questions About Richard Hell
1. What is Richard Hell best known for?
Richard Hell is an American singer, songwriter, writer, and visual artist. He is best known as a pioneer of the punk rock movement in the 1970s and his influence on numerous other punk and alternative rock musicians. He is particularly well known for his work in the early punk rock bands Television and the Voidoids, and for his solo albums Blank Generation and Destiny Street.
He is also known for his fashion sense and style, which was adopted by many punk and new wave musicians of the late 1970s. His signature look was defined by his ripped and torn clothing, often held together with safety pins, and spiky hair. He is also credited with popularizing the “punk” look.
- Pioneer of the punk rock movement
- Work in the early punk rock bands Television and the Voidoids
- Solo albums Blank Generation and Destiny Street
- Fashion sense and style popularized by many punk and new wave musicians
- Signature look of ripped and torn clothing and spiky hair
2. What is the most famous Richard Hell quote?
Richard Hell is an American poet, musician, and writer who has created some of the most memorable and thought-provoking quotes of our time. He is particularly well-known for his music, having been a key member of the influential punk band Television in the 1970s, and later a solo artist in the 1980s.
Below is a list of some of Richard Hell’s most famous quotes:
- “Life is too short to do anything for money.”
- “If you can dream it, you can do it.”
- “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
- “The most important thing in life is to be yourself.”
- “You can’t be afraid to take risks in life.”
- “The only way to make something of yourself is to strive for excellence in everything you do.”
- “The only way to truly be happy is to find something you love and do it.”
The most famous Richard Hell quote is likely “Life is too short to do anything for money.” This quote speaks to the idea that life should be lived only for its own sake, not for material gain. It encourages people to take risks, follow their dreams, and do what they love. It is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we should make the most of every moment.
3. What genres of music did Richard Hell influence?
Richard Hell has been credited with influencing a variety of genres of music, both directly and indirectly. His influence can be seen in punk, post-punk, new wave, and alternative rock.
- Punk: Hell was a pioneer in the punk scene, and his lyrical style and aesthetic were heavily influential on the genre. He was also a key figure in the formation of the punk band Television, which became one of the most important and influential punk bands of all time.
- Post-punk: Hell’s influence was also felt in the post-punk scene. His influence can be heard in the work of bands such as Joy Division and The Fall, both of whom were heavily influenced by Hell’s work.
- New Wave: Hell’s influence can also be heard in the new wave movement of the 1980s. His work with Television was a major influence on the genre, and his solo work was also influential on the genre in a number of ways.
- Alternative Rock: Hell’s influence can also be seen in the alternative rock scene of the 1990s. His solo work was a major influence on the genre, and bands such as Nirvana and Sonic Youth were heavily influenced by his work.
Overall, Richard Hell was an incredibly influential musician and his work has had an impact on a number of genres of music. He is an important figure in the history of punk, post-punk, new wave, and alternative rock.
4. What was Richard Hell’s background prior to his music career?
Before becoming a musician, Richard Hell had a wide-ranging life experience. Born in Lexington, Kentucky, he grew up in a wealthy family and attended the prestigious Trinity School in New York City. He then spent time in the military, studying poetry at the University of Buffalo, and working as a journalist for the East Village Other. He was also an active participant in the punk rock scene in New York City, where he was involved in founding the influential band Television.
He began his solo career in 1977 with the release of the album Blank Generation, which was an immediate success. The album’s title track became an anthem for the punk rock movement and established Hell as a major figure in the genre.
- Grew up in a wealthy family in Lexington, Kentucky
- Attended the prestigious Trinity School in New York City
- Spent time in the military
- Studied poetry at the University of Buffalo
- Worked as a journalist for the East Village Other
- Active participant in the punk rock scene in New York City
- Founded the influential band Television
5. What other projects did Richard Hell work on besides music?
Richard Hell has dabbled in a number of other artistic mediums throughout his career. Some of his notable projects include:
- Acting – Hell had a role in the 1982 film, Downtown 81, and appeared in the television series Law & Order.
- Writing – Hell has authored several books, including his memoirs, I Dreamed I Was a Very Clean Tramp.
- Painting – Hell is an accomplished visual artist, having exhibited and sold his works around the world.
- Fashion – Hell has designed several lines of clothing, including his signature ‘Hell’ t-shirts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Richard Hell’s art has been celebrated for decades for its unique and creative vision. His art is a reflection of his own life and struggles, but it also speaks to a larger audience. His quotes show an understanding of life and the human condition that is both humorous and profound. No matter your personal opinion of Richard Hell’s work, it is clear that he has made an indelible mark on the art world.
