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To Hell and Back

My Life in Johnny Thunders' Heartbreakers, in the Words of the Last Man Standing
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( 161 ratings, 23 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
To Hell and Back by Dave Thompson and Walter Lure is an engaging memoir that delves into Walter Lure's journey as the last surviving member of the iconic punk band, the Heartbreakers. It offers an insider's look at the explosive music scene of the 1970s and 80s, filled with raw accounts of the highs and lows of fame, addiction, and the resilience needed to overcome it all. This riveting narrative captures the essence of the punk rock era and Lure’s compelling personal story.
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Format: Hardback
$6718
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This gripping biography may captivate you if you are fascinated by the wild, untamed world of the punk rock scene and the turbulent life of a legendary musician. With vivid storytelling, it offers an insider's perspective on the highs and lows of fame, music, and survival against all odds, making it a compelling read for fans of music history and personal redemption stories.

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There have been many books written about Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, but only by people who weren t there. Walter Lure was from the band's chaotic beginnings on New York's Lower East Side, through a now-legendary UK tour with the Sex Pistols and the Clash, and on to a yearlong stay in London eyewitness and midwife to the birth of UK punk.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

There have been many books written about Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, but only by people who weren’t there. Walter Lure was present from the band's chaotic beginnings on New York's Lower East Side, through a now-legendary UK tour with the Sex Pistols and the Clash, and on to a yearlong stay in London, as both an eyewitness and midwife to the birth of UK punk.

Now, he tells his story in To Hell and Back, a thrilling ride through the clubs and dives of two continents, in the company of one of the most notorious junkies in rock 'n' roll history. Drawing from his own contemporary journals, Lure paints a vivid portrait of life in both cities during perhaps the most crucial musical uprising of the past forty years—the music, the characters, the clothes, the fights, the drugs, the orgies, the lot.

Lure lays bare his own battle with drugs and reflects upon his life after the band's split, rising to become a Wall Street fixture yet still finding time to make music.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781493051694

Publisher: Globe Pequot Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 01 April 2020

Country: United States

Imprint: Backbeat

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 264

About the Author

Walter Lure continues to play live and record. His latest album, Wacka Lacka Boom Bop A Loom Bam Boo, received great reviews across the media spectrum, and his most recent (spring 2019) tour sold out venues throughout the US. He is also heavily involved with Jungle Records regular reexaminations of the Heartbreakers recorded legacy, and maintains an active presence on social media. Dave Thompson is the author of over 150 books, including co-written memoirs with New York Doll Sylvain Sylvain, Motown legends Brian and Eddie Holland (forthcoming), Hawkwind s Nik Turner, the Yardbirds' Jim McCarty, Fairport Convention s Judy Dyble, and more. He is a columnist for Goldmine magazine, and his work has also appeared in Rolling Stone, Spin, Alternative Press, Mojo, Record Collector, and many other major publications. He has contributed to music documentaries produced by VH-1, A and E, the BBC, and others. Born in the UK, Thompson is now a US resident living in Delaware.

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    There have been many books written about Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, but only by people who weren’t there. Walter Lure was— from the band's chaotic beginnings on New York's Lower East Side, through a now-legendary UK tour with the Sex Pistols and the Clash, and on to a yearlong stay in London—eyewitness and midwife to the birth of UK...
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