Johnny Thunders - Too Much Junkie Business (Live 1982)

Johnny Thunders - Too Much Junkie Business
Saturday, March 13, 1982, Club 57 @ Irving Plaza, NYC

[@marquettegloves9907]

Johnny Thunders with the dead eyed, tongue protruding, barely intelligible 1,2,3,4. Iconic.

[@razorgarcia298]

I was here for that show with my first wife ! LoL . Half the audience was on the nod too. Miss ya Johnny

[@MrRamone_CBGB]

Wow man I wish I had that honor too

[@bryanbaumgartner5302]

Me too!!

[@sunsun9918]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF7NaYmnnsZraLM

[@tomtomdeamezola]

walter lure... so underrated

[@user-hv5uy7ct6g]

walter lure is fucking awesome

[@bloppysloppy4057]

RIP Walter Lure

[@warshipsatin8764]

if it werent for him and the drummer 80% of their shows would be unlistenable disasters

[@DominickChirchirillo]

Walter rules!

[@robertafierro5592]

RIP

[@felixfranzen7318]

I know Walter was the straight one (so to speak). But he's got the coke eyes here. I met him once. Walter was the friendlist legendary rock star I ever met. He even invited me (and my friend) to come and sing Chinese Rocks on stage with him and the band.

[@bloppysloppy4057]

I'm so glad Walter got to enjoy an abundant life from his work on Wall St. He certainly deserved it for the hours of musical enjoyment his music has given to me and others.

[@arvidalexatsinch1163]

The song speaks for itself. Very well put at that.

[@FergR]

Walter still doing his best to hold it all together.

[@brianrichter1516]

R.IP. Walter Lure 8 22 2020

[@FergR]

@@brianrichter1516 :-(

[@brianrichter1516]

@@FergR It'a O K man All destined! Positivity!!

[@onguad]

Waldo’s gone to heaven

[@sgilrein]

Walter went to heaven and still needs to be the one to speak with the promoter to get paid.

[@reubensane5539]

Best club band I ever seen !

[@eneyes8485]

Johnny thunders is a legend

[@johnnypools6971]

Cant explain it to anyone but we just know. We all understand

[@-xirx-]

Absolute fckin..

[@brightandsunny9]

@ClassicPunk1 Poor Johnny. damn, I miss him (too.) There are still many dreams I'm having with him in there. I don't know why, but he always comes out helping me! I don't want to loose that connection with him just because some ppl put him down. If they only knew!!! Thanks Johnny T. for everything. You will be remembered for much longer than you lived.

[@johnnypools6971]

I say the same thing. Was working at Cheap Jacks and he walked in. Nobody cared but I was awestruck. Manager said oh yea that junkie. Im one of lucky who got to see his shows. And we all know what its about. Were all connected because we just know. Im really glad. It took a long time to feel ok after he died. It hurt a lot and I didnt even know him. Whoever read this thanks Im rambling

[@csedan510]

I saw him at Max's in '78 when I was 14, nothing much compared.

[@marquettegloves9907]

@@johnnypools6971 yeah man. I sat about 3 tables away from him at a Ronnie Spector concert in NY many moons ago. He was at the very front and to be honest, he looked like the loneliest man in the world that night. He actually cried during different parts of her set. Though I do think it was more that he was touched by her voice and songs, than just total despair. Regret not speaking to him, but it felt invasive at the time. Plus I was anxious and starstruck. Glad there are others with stories like mine, he was a one off.

[@sunsun9918]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF7NaYmnnsZraLM

[@pogosmommy64]

A fucking legend! R.I.P. JOHNNY

[@sunsun9918]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF7NaYmnnsZraLM

[@summusincultus1641]

Damn, Johnny's on the dope hard. Looks like some good shit.

[@jonesy2111]

I can never get enough

[@kevinbrewis6014]

just beautiful., love from Newcastle-upon - tyne, 2022. xxx

[@sunsun9918]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF7NaYmnnsZraLM

[@Sid1Vicious84]

So stoned and all but I'd have loved to be in one of his shows, you know? Great guitar playing and sound, some hecklin', great tunes, etc. Even if the music isn't there, he would still put on a show.

[@comebackwimeapplepie]

I saw him in Leeds 1984 supporting Hanoi Rocks. It was a fucking rocking night.

[@sunsun9918]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF7NaYmnnsZraLM

[@SimonRobeyns]

if you call that great guitar playing then you're tone deaf :D

[@bigmaz4002]

@@comebackwimeapplepie that must have been a fucking ripper night.

[@bloppysloppy4057]

I saw him about six months after this with the same band at Club COD in Chicago 8/27/82. By that time they tightened up quite a bit. Best show I ever saw, amazing.

[@pixtog]

i love smack. understand.

[@lyramckenzie8550]

rip walter💔

[@Harold710]

I saw them live-very entertaining.

[@nanchanger]

I was at this show, on the floor about 20' back...Saw him there several times...

[@JaraArtist]

thats so dope. no pun intended

[@nanchanger]

Jara Official sad so many people can’t express admiration without mentioning drugs...

[@JaraArtist]

nanchanger unfortunately, I feel like for me anyway that was kinda part of his thing. I’ve had issues with addiction and looking to him doesn’t make me think it’s okay, but rather that it doesn’t mean you suck as a person and can still be cool for lack of a better word even if you have struggles. Cause I can get depressed and think of myself as a drunk loser or can kinda look to him to make something beautiful out an ugly thing and maybe even alittle humorous at times (like this song makes it more light hearted). But I am really young so I know that thought might change. But that’s kinda my take. I also get what you mean too

[@sunsun9918]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF7NaYmnnsZraLM

[@DubIsTheFoundation]

Art and life collided on this song 😬🤷🏾🤷🏾🤷🏾...Rest Well to a wailing guitarist..

[@sigspearthumb3249]

Johnny could've been a star. Don't do drugs, kids.

[@bloppysloppy4057]

Does anyone remember when this aired on USA's late night weekend show "Nightflight" around Memorial Day 1982? They replayed it several times on occasion after that.

[@bigmaz4002]

Even Johnny junked out to fuck rips his guitar apart. And never forget Walter, gluing the band back together at every turn. Most excellent rock n roll.

[@mr.zzyzzx6136]

His eyes are looking in two different directions

[@FreshestOfTheFour]

Too much junkie business indeed... Great song either way

[@Jhensy2012]

Holy crap he looks just like Charlie Callas in the beginning!

[@mickeyl01]

hahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa But should I really be laughing? The poor prick swapped out his talent for smack.....a tragedy really....

[@patrickguitar8676]

I can see the likeness...charlie callas played what character?

[@johnnypools6971]

What an odd thing to notice , but true lol

[@FergR]

RIP 25 years gone. :-(

[@fabiopunk1661]

sad, but great too

[@robertbelfiorr8672]

the best and shit ie st 8 years of my life but still the most interesting guy I ever did sound for and the hardest

[@anaparada7548]

Uh I'd love to have a beer with you and hear about it

[@JaraArtist]

you did sound for them???

[@hubertopunk3049]

idoloooooo

[@henripaultortosa7475]

Hey you as used to said John his name are GENZALE Italian name Tate are right man but Tate don't say that walter stop dope cos I used to cop dope at wall street from him and they are stoned like I said was too but that's our private life . Now im off I hope walt too and John was a great guitarist I can tell you for having playing long time with him . R I P John . Love you . Rock heaven for sure .

[@jcripp7974]

HENRI. !!!! My brother. Been a while. Love ya man. Yeah. Some of these youngsters dont even know what rock n roll is. You good?? Im living in Florida now.

[@sunsun9918]

@@jcripp7974 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnW2hYGaYp6UY68

[@shocbomb23]

Some dealer in the NYC area really needs to make a stamp bag called Junkie Business, Yo you got a bundle of that Junkie Business !

[@snipes1000]

+E VT +1 for this

[@chrisbotts8334]

E VT I'm sure he had a bag named after him at some point back in those days, down in the LES somewhere

[@-xirx-]

Never have too much of *that* junky business thou

[@sinceunati]

@@chrisbotts8334 "This is that Johnny Thunders shit!"

[@michaelmarifern9541]

I heard MF 's going out on that Thunder dope...where it at ?

[@enzosallu3444]

wow Johnny ,,,,quella si che era vera eroina !!!!! r i p,,,,,,,,,,,+,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@punkisinthedetails1470]

GOODBYE JOHNNY THUNDERS

[@johnsmith7345]

god I'm 64 but remember these days I enjoy going thru the comments Heatrbreakers seemed more polished when i saw them in 79'

[@IantheDrunk]

@tatethompson1234 Sorry, u'r right! His last name WAS Genzale. He was just a few months younger than me when we hung out in Elmhurst (Queens in NY) with the singer (Larry Roth) in my band the Kids (watch?v=Z-puKYjvlZk). However, we didn't spend much time on learning our last names. Larry and JT "shared" a girlfriend around 1980 and you can hear Larry singing about it towards the end of our song (I played keyboards on it.) Best of luck with your band and in your future!

[@sunsun9918]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF7NaYmnnsZraLM

[@user-tq7om3hg5c]

まーじでかっこいい

[@user-ol9ii3ot5m]

トゥーマッチジャンキービジネス

[@IantheDrunk]

No, I wasn't just talking about JT's technique. I meant the whole "package." There was nothing average about that! When JT was "on," there weren't many songwriters, guitarists, performers and overall rock 'n rollers like him.

[@sunsun9918]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnW2hYGaYp6UY68

[@dougholland6209]

Wow! I was at this show..By the middle of the set..They just shut J.T.'s amp off and just let him walk around. He didn't know or care..That's all folks!!

[@josealmeida2780]

You played guitar with Cro Mags ?

[@SoftDrinksOfChoice]

Jesus.

[@tatethompson1234]

@IantheDrunk Your wrong...It's Genzale...look at his damn grave.... It's Italian, again Gonzale is spanish. Im a Thunders freak, collect LP's, 45, Bootlegs, Posters, anything and everything from The NYD and Heartbreakers also and he is one of the main reasons why I picked up a guitar and ended up forming bands ect. Have a good one...

[@sunsun9918]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnW2hYGaYp6UY68

[@666waughtron666]

Look at his eyes. Too much of that business, for sure.

[@chrisbotts8334]

Jesus Christ man, I had a dope habit in my 20s, amongst other things, and I can't begin to fathom how this dude was able to stand, let alone play, this blasted. Unless he did a shot of coke or something before he went out. unreal. sad to see

[@jefrey5578]

He had lots of practice. When I was shooting heroin I was still able to get on stage and sing, granted, most likely I was doing less than him and Im sure my source was crappier.

[@MrGothic78]

I too was a speedballer for fifteen years or so and as a guitarist, I have performed so many times and well, even though high as fk. It's a matter of practise

[@JaraArtist]

Yah he did speedball. Saw it in documentary. I think it was DD that said he felt like he came up with a genius formula to get twacked while still play

[@w0bbl3r]

Well he's not doing a very good job to be fair. Also, I have been on gear for 25 years. Mostly clean for the last 10 or so years, but still falling off the wagon here and there. Throughout my 20's I was at my worst, and we had a shitty little band going around pubs and clubs here in England. And I managed mostly fine. Only once or twice was I so wasted that people noticed. My girlfriend at the time especially not very happy with me, whilst the band members (for the most part) found it pretty funny. The crowd didn't seem to give a fuck either, wasted as they were, since we were playing stuff a lot like Thunders, Dolls, MC5 and so on.

[@JaraArtist]

w0bbl3r when you say wasted do you mean like wired out in blow or drunken slur kinda wastes? And also curious, was this around back then(80’s)? Don’t know your age. im in my 20’s. Not many people in my age range play music like heartbreakers let alone know, who he is. Smh..

[@lonelyrocker2963]

he's so high ....

[@nathannewman799]

RIP JT

[@johnfaitz8323]

Nathan Newman >

[@thiswasnotpunk]

Actually Walter was still getting high in '78 & '79. I know cause I was hanging out and copping with him until '81. He probably stopped in the 80's and it might have taken Ritchie's death to jar him. He worked at his father's bank before moving up to Wall St.

[@Foldisfitch]

@Anderson Cooper The singer (guy with hat and red striped tie) and writer of this song.

[@nanchanger]

what's your point?

[@sunsun9918]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF7NaYmnnsZraLM

[@mildred714]

Yup he was off and on a bit early 80s… he was lucky to leave it behind after he really started with Wallstreet stuff…

[@Deeznutseighthundredthirty]

haha, johnny and walter both stoned out of their minds. poor johnny. damn, i miss him.

[@sergez6172]

i wonder has there ever been a stamp bag called "thunders"

[@sky8895wave]

完璧　行っちゃってます　へろへろheroin

[@user-ol9ii3ot5m]

ヘロヘロ😵🌀

[@warshipsatin8764]

dude you can tell he's done a bunch of coke but he's still nodding out. he's at the point where you literally have to shoot more coke just to not die from a heroin OD its the place where every hardcore junkie dreams of being. you cant get there too often and anyone who tries always dies

[@TheMrmojo23]

Too much junky bizness

[@BenDover-hd7ip]

Legend has it that Johnnys dealer went out of business this night

[@prud741114]

Хорош,прям вот хорош герыч

[@fernandogomezgonzalez3090]

Is there still one alive?... Walter Lure dead in 2020

[@tatethompson1234]

@IantheDrunk Johnny Thunders is not a puerto rican, he is Italian, his last name is Genzale

[@patrickguitar8676]

Thanks tater

[@Stereotype5346]

"Johnny Thunders" Plays a "Gretsch Guitar with its Patented "Foil" Pick-Ups To Get The "Thunders" Tone thru "Fender" Twin Reverb Amps !! Loud & Clean !! The 'Distortion' is Natural & Loud, No Fuzz Box !! "Johnny Thunders" used New Strings for Every Show That's Why He Had "Tuning Problems" He is the "Real Deal" !! The Video Cameraman is Using Audio Captured "Off The Sound Board" which is why the Guitars are low (they're so loud in the room). It Also Explains Why The Drums & Vocals are Loud in the Video. "Bondy Sound Systems" - Live Mix by "Bobby Belfiore" &/or "Steve Bondy" (Irving Plaza, The Limelight, Max's & Gildersleeves) Featuring Johnny Thunders on Lead Vocal & Guitar, Walter Lure on Vocal & Guitar, Luigi Scorcia on Bass, Billy Roger on Drums.

[@RossM3838]

pretty normal performance as far as I can see.

[@jorgequiroga7746]

Como siempre hasta el culo

[@dsbrck]

I guess people don't understand :07 is JT's onstage comedy stuff... No doubt he could've been fucked up that night. But if he was that fucked up the show would've been bad.

[@luvittodeath7031]

@. ?? . not as useless as someone who has a question mark as a name

[@Johnnywhamo]

The show WAS fucking bad, what show did you just watch because it sure wasn't this one.

[@kilohertzstudio3429]

The show was horrible. It seemed to last a lifetime. There were times Johnny was standing with eyes open but it was obvious he was asleep.

[@decimated550]

Well said, about time someone did. A lot of people there went to see a guy blitzed out of his mind. A creative guy no doubt, but the inspiration for that punky, pissed off music was his own destruction. And it is fascinating, i admit to someone self-destructing. Was he trapped in the image and patterns of "junkie rock star?" Or was he fully in control of himself, doing what wanted on his own terms? I'd say the first., not the second.

[@denua26]

Mas loko que johnny!

[@nevasnitch]

smaaaaaaaaaack!

[@grindhasses2]

Hahahahaha yeah really to much junkie business lol 0:07

[@infoscholar5221]

Singing about poor johnny who was smacked out, right before him...a different time.

[@tatethompson1234]

I know, thats what I said. I don't know how anyone could his last name wrong lol

[@johnnyplunkett8532]

This guy makes Sid Vicious look like Jack Lalane. It's a good song though and the guitar work was sharp.

[@sinceunati]

HaHA!!!! Great reference.

[@LizinLouie]

A drug is a drug, is a drug. Too much is too much. Nuff said.

[@IantheDrunk]

This was way after Johnny Gonzalez had already "Jumped the shark." I agree he was a huge talent, but nor here. Take a look at some of his best performances and than the last best one back in in England: watch?v=Ct9aBySJkRQ watch?v=8k2O7WVDHMA watch?v=64Kz3D2OgAE

[@theedrstrangelove]

It's called too much.....uh, I don't know...something like that. Was this from the Broadcast on usa networks nightflight?

[@bloppysloppy4057]

Yes it was recorded in early March 1982 (John Belush had just died. He dedicated "In Cold Blood' to him) and aired around Memorial Day weekend 1982.

[@IngoBousa]

Tragic.

[@krudetube795]

I'm sure Johnny knew he had to play on stage for a certain amount of time to get paid

[@Houl23]

Salut Henri, est-ce toi à la basse ? Si ce n'est pas toi , le gars te ressemble. En ce qui concerne la dope , j'avais lu une interview de Walter où il disait que chaque groupe a son problème et la dope est celui des heartbreakers. Mais comme tu le dis (et je suis tout à fait d'accord) , c'est la vie privée; Je sais que Billy a arrêté et je pense que Walter aussi . A +

[@henri-pierrevaldeolivas9552]

helas, c'est bien ma pomme! J'ai pris un coup de vieux, il n'ya pas chier. Raconte moi un peut de ta vie, le mec!

[@gibsonnevincent9953]

ca me rappelle un peu "the Libertines"

[@basedsouljah]

Thats funny something about this performance reminded me of The Libertines too

[@nanchanger]

huh??

[@Steffen-gg4gp]

Smack is underrated!

[@gogoyubari366]

Disgusting comment!

[@punkisinthedetails1470]

WHERE'S WALDO

[@retromusic7190]

Lamentable su estado de salud

[@sammasamsara]

oh my god.. johnnys so high he can barely sing the song. RIP JT my all time favorite guitarist

[@sunsun9918]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnW2hYGaYp6UY68

[@sxdxsxrecordings615]

Speedball heroine and coke,TO MuCH jUnk

[@TheSonicmule]

Who is playing bass?

[@ondra8638]

If you still don't know the answer after 4 years, it's Billy Rath.

[@richardleeuwenburg9093]

@@ondra8638 You don't even know it yourself😂That's not Billy Rath,it's Luigi Scorgia

[@psychalgiac]

@@richardleeuwenburg9093 you 100% sure on that? i know everything about this band their revolving members, and i've always thought this was billy. if not then this dude looks scary like him. don't mean to sound condescending, i'm genuinely wondering.

[@thequeenisalizard6976]

@@psychalgiac that’s not Billy’s face

[@bloppysloppy4057]

Luigi Scorcia

[@wullieg7269]

You can't put your arms........

[@pauloroberto8429]

They was more Stones than original Stones

[@TeenageHeadcase]

Is there even a video where he is not high as fuck?

[@jonyscrewzo]

yes

[@johnnypools6971]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqDXdoKEYtx5bqc

[@johnnypools6971]

Saw him clean and sober. He was even better. Amazing show. He really couldve hit the heights. But I think this is the way it was meant to be.

[@concatinate]

This is a good one from 1990, he acts totally straight, looks healthy. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZ2mdqeqiMx8q6M

[@gregb4461]

This was hard to watch

[@flinchey6962]

John Belushi died 8 days prior

[@bobpelley5093]

Jt died 1991. Belushi died 1982.

[@bloppysloppy4057]

@@bobpelley5093 Prior to this show from 1982.

[@nanchanger]

There's WAY Too Many "Doucholas" On Y/T!! He Was Sicilian My Dude...

[@dotrattray]

Hey buddy, can you spare a dime?

[@IantheDrunk]

@tatethompson1234 Agreed. But, his last name is Gonzale (not Genzale!)

[@mikeohagan2206]

there was so much strong H back then a quarter gram would last you a week, that cheap strong china white, now we got chinese fentanyl and its garbage that has you dodging coffins. johnny was too weak to quit too bad, he was good entertainment, but left you feeling sorry for him.

[@RenatodeSouza2012]

SAD, COVER OF PILLS.

[@skaface32]

i think he's on drugs

[@3Bernie]

Not At All 🙂

[@nobbynoris]

He wasn't wrong there, was he? You know, however hard you try to dress it, up you just can't make a trainwreck look ironic.

[@fuzinskezgodbe3683]

Is this for real ? Ha ha !

[@kilohertzstudio3429]

Attended this show. The only reason half the people were there was because of the rumor on the street “Johnny is gonna die tonight.”

[@IantheDrunk]

You are on an absolutely right track when it comes to Johnny T. However, let me warn you of the downfalls. Johnny T. was extremely lucky to be with New York Dolls. The band that even through their musical misgivings, managed to get rid of effing Disco. That doesn't mean JT was some kind of a guitar guru! He wasn't. He was just an average quitar player who happened to end up in a band that changed the music world for the better.

[@nanchanger]

IantheDrunk absolutely NOTHING average about him...

[@marquettegloves9907]

@@nanchanger exactly. But his name is Ianthedrunk so we can guess why he said something so ridiculous...

[@nanchanger]

@@marquettegloves9907 hmm...

[@smkxodnwbwkdns8369]

Have you ever heard of the heartbreakers? They were even better than the dolls. Johnny was a great guitar player. Music is about expression, taste, songwriting, and creativity. I’m guessing you think it’s about playing something physically difficult. That’s not what music is about first of all, but even on that variable you’re wrong. Thousands of players try to emulate johnnys style and they can’t. Only he sounds like himself. If you can’t play his music then it is physically advance despite not sounding so. Do you also prefer poetry that endlessly relies on big words no one knows? Or do you like Shakespeare and Poe, who have taste and other qualities than just being convoluted.

[@bloppysloppy4057]

It was unmistakable Rock & Roll tone he had not his technical abilities.

[@stupididiot6116]

Wasted !

[@vincenzosallusto1648]

Junk rock 🎸🎤💉💊,,,,,,,the best years 80,,,,,80,,,,,💉✝️