To Hell and Back, Walter Lure
To Hell and Back, Walter Lure
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
Club: $9.99

To Hell and Back
My Life in Johnny Thunders' Heartbreakers, in the Words of the Last Man Standing

Author: Walter Lure, Dave Thompson

Narrator: BJ Harrison

Unabridged: 8 hr 48 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 09/29/2020


Synopsis

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.

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.

About Walter Lure

Walter Lure continues to play live and record. His album, Wacka Lacka Boom Bop A Loom Bam Boo, received great reviews across the media spectrum. He is also heavily involved with Jungle Records' regular reexaminations of the Heartbreakers' recorded legacy, and maintains an active presence on social media.


Reviews

I have a real soft spot for Walter. I've only met him a few times, but my boyfriend was in The Daughters. The Daughters were on the bill and played with various combinations of Heartbreakers, when things had really gone South! I was kind of glad he didn't mention them, Simon's head is big enough! I......more

Once I picked this up earlier today I didn't sit it down until I had finished it. Reading about Johnny Thunders wanting to swap clothes with fans took me back to him trying to barter his hat for my friends shirt at a poorly attended gig in Glasgow. Who knew then it was to be his last time in the city......more

Goodreads review by Andrea

I love Johnny Thunders and I love The Heartbreakers so this one was a must-read for me. Though Lure’s judgements can come off a little harsh at times, overall I thought the book was very well done.......more