In 1976, Hell either was kicked out of the Heartbreakers or quit the group, depending on whom you believe, and was replaced by Billy Rath, who, according to legend, was a gigolo. Hell went on to form his own band, The Voidoids.
Arriving for a European tour just as the UK punk scene was building momentum, the Heartbreakers developed a following playing in and around London. The band's members and image were widely associated with drug use, specifically, heroin. The Sex Pistols invited them to open for them on the ill-fated Anarchy Tour. They shortly signed with Track Records. Their debut--and only--studio album, L.A.M.F., featured all the Heartbreakers' popular live songs. The release of the album put a huge strain on the band, because of anger among some band members over the poor quality of the mix. Several of the members of the band left at this point. The band reformed in 1979 for a few farewell shows at Max’s Kansas City with drummer Ty Stix sitting in for Nolan. The resulting live album Live at Max's Kansas City '79 is considered a punk classic. The Heartbreakers' song, London Boys, is a swipe at the Sex Pistols, in response to the Pistols' New York, a put-down of the New York Dolls.
The band re-formed occasionally to play at New York clubs until the death of Johnny Thunders in 1991. Jerry Nolan died a few months later, in 1992. Live shows often consisted of songs performed with the New York Dolls or taken from Johnny Thunders' solo career. Richard Hell rarely plays music live, concentrating instead on writing and spoken-word performances. Billy Rath's whereabouts are currently unknown, leading to various rumors such as that he died or became a priest. Walter Lure still performs about once a month with his band the Waldos, performing mostly Heartbreakers songs
Chinese Rocks
The Heartbreakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They said hey, is Dee Dee home
Do you wanna take a walk
Do you wanna go and cop
Do you wanna go and get some Chinese rocks?
I'm living on a Chinese rock
All my best things are in hock
Everything is in the pawnshop
The glass is falling off the wall
My girlfriends crying in the shower stall
Each time it's a bitch
I should have been rich
But I'm just digging a Chinese ditch
I'm living on a Chinese rock
All my best things are in hock
I'm living on a Chinese rock
Everything is in the pawnshop
The glass is falling off the wall
My girlfriends crying in the shower stall
Each time it's a bitch
I should have been rich
But I'm just digging a Chinese ditch
I'm living on a Chinese rock
All my best things are in hock
I'm living on a Chinese rock
Everything is in the pawnshop
I'm living on a Chinese rock ...
The Heartbreakers' song "Chinese Rocks" is a raw and gritty depiction of the drug addiction and desperation that plagued New York City's punk scene during the 1970s. The lyrics describe a phone call from someone asking if Dee Dee, presumably Dee Dee Ramone, is available to go on a drug run to buy "Chinese rocks," a street name for a particularly potent form of heroin. The song then delves into the harrowing consequences of addiction, with the singer admitting to living on a "Chinese rock," having pawned off all of his belongings to satisfy his addiction. The glass falling off the wall and his girlfriend crying in the shower stall suggest a particularly tumultuous and unstable environment, all while the singer laments his missed opportunities and the bleak future he has dug for himself.
The song was controversial upon its release, with some accusing it of glamorizing drug addiction, but others praised its unflinching honesty and authenticity. Despite the controversy, "Chinese Rocks" became a punk classic and a staple of live performances for The Heartbreakers and other bands.
Line by Line Meaning
Somebody called me on the phone
Someone contacted me via phone
They said hey, is Dee Dee home
They asked if Dee Dee was present
Do you wanna take a walk
Do you want to go for a walk
Do you wanna go and cop
Do you want to go and purchase drugs
Do you wanna go and get some Chinese rocks?
Do you want to obtain some heroin
I'm living on a Chinese rock
I'm addicted to heroin
All my best things are in hock
I've pawned all my valuable possessions
Everything is in the pawnshop
All my belongings are in the pawnshop
The glass is falling off the wall
The surroundings are in disrepair
My girlfriends crying in the shower stall
My significant other is upset and hiding in the bathroom
Each time it's a bitch
Every time it's difficult
I should have been rich
I could have been wealthy
But I'm just digging a Chinese ditch
But instead, I'm stuck in my addiction
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: DEE DEE RAMONE, DOUGLAS COLVIN, JEFFREY HYMAN, JOEY RAMONE, JOHN (RAMONE) CUMMINGS, JOHNNY RAMONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RBPAudio
I was a big Heartbreakers fan, and I was fortunate enough to see a live performance of the original lineup at MAX'S in 1976, the opening act was BLONDIE.
My band THE THE opened for J.T. & GANGWAR in 1979 at the UK CLUB, NYC.
Johnny had amp trouble during the soundcheck, so I lent him my 1964 Fender Concert amp & he blew that one up during their set too! https://youtu.be/dldNpUbs8zo
@waltzingpeter
Fuckkng awesome man, you’re a relic inn the truest sense of the word
@RBPAudio
@@waltzingpeter True! We are all relics from that era at this point.
It's a shame most of them are dead though.
@gilwood7530
NICE !!! I hope you still have it
@RBPAudio
@@gilwood7530 Do you mean the guitar amp?
@johnjones3714
I remember The The
Had a John Cale produced single?
Lived in NYC at the time
@blue2134
This song is everything, thank you dee dee. Johnny Thunders you rock my world looking all stylish and fancy , I love it!! Hope you are both at Peace
@richardduran5915
Dee dee was the real punk he wrote this song
@leahflower9924
@@richardduran5915 yup Dee Dee liked to get more and more punk with each decade
@KratomFlavoredAdidas
God bless death.