Johnny Thunders: In Cold Blood (Nina Antonia PB £14.99 Cherry Red Records)

It’s funny what we find romantic. Former New York Doll and Heartbreaker, Thunders is one of the most romanticised figures in rock history. The reality is as In Cold Blood shows us, was way different – an endless round of shitty gigs, scrambling for cash and friendships left behind. The heartland of the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, it would seem,  is located somewhere close to Boredom Central.

Not that Thunders isn’t worth writing about, however, he produced some glorious music, most notably ‘You Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory’ and ‘Born To Lose’  In this time he was one of the prime movers on the New York punk scene. If he hadn’t been  more or less a lifelong smackhead, he could have achieved so much more.

Nina Antonia having previously written books on the Dolls and The Only Ones obviously has real insight into the scuzzier aspects of the rock lifestyle and is therefore well placed to tell his story. That she is well aware of his ability to transcend his dreadfulness is her book’s strongest point. Peppered with quotes from first-hand sources (various Dolls, Richard Hell, Stiv Bators et al) it’s a lovingly written book, by a woman that clearly knew Johnny well.

‘In Cold Blood’  comes complete with an exhaustive discography and a 10 track CD featuring 6 unreleased mixes of tracks from the ’LAMF’ album, which was probably one of Thunders most coherent statement.

So a bargain then and well worth reading, but please don’t regard this as a chance to grab some vicarious thrills from the sleazier side of Thunders lifestyle – treat it as a sad story on a guy that spent a great deal of time in the gutter, but who, just often enough, was gazing at the stars. 9/10
Martin Heron