The talented and troubled Johnny Thunders is profiled in filmmaker Danny Garcia's oral history-style documentary, which spends almost as much time on its subject's drug abuse as his music career (not that there was much of an option). Thunders began life in Queens in 1952 as Johnny Genzale, growing up to become a rabid music fan, playing guitar in high school bands, and—in 1971—joining the legendary glam rock group the New York Dolls. Richard Lloyd (Television) and Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Group) talk about the self-serious music scene in the early ‘70s, which benefited from the anything-goes fun that the Dolls provided. Although known for being late and sloppy, the band managed to find an enthusiastic audience, but never completely recovered from the drug-related death of 21-year-old drummer Billy Murcia. With replacement player Jerry Nolan, the Dolls secured a record deal, but bad luck and worse decisions bedeviled them. After their breakup, Thunders formed other bands, including the Heartbreakers and Gang War, but he worked best as a solo artist (band mates Richard Hell and Wayne Kramer are notable here by their absence). Although Thunders recorded classic songs, including “Chinese Rocks” and “You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory,” his personal life was a disheveled affair with short-lived moments of sobriety and stability; he even drove his children away, which only led to greater drug use, and an early death in 1991. Also featuring archival audio of Thunders and late manager Malcolm McLaren, DVD extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes, and bonus performances. A solid profile, this is recommended. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)
Looking for Johnny: The Legend of Johnny Thunders
(2014) 98 min. DVD: $16.95. Music Video Distributors (avail. from most distributors). Volume 30, Issue 1
Looking for Johnny: The Legend of Johnny Thunders
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