From what I’ve heard about the punk and New Wave scene of New York in the ‘70s, Richard Hell was a key figure—almost the key figure—of the proceedings. Which is strange, in a way, because outside the scene itself he is a relative unknown.
And that’s probably just fine. As good as Richard Hell and the Voidoids’ were—and they were often very good—they never quite reached the same heights as many of their peers. And it wouldn’t be the first time that an artistic trailblazer received less credit than those he or she inspired, educated, and nurtured. It may even be the norm.
But anyone looking for a deeper dive into the music of this time and place should check out a little Richard Hell. Hell was a founding member of both Television and the Heartbreakers (the New York proto-punk band fronted by ex-New York Doll Johnny Thunders, not the band that later backed up Tom Petty), but left both bands amid conflicts over creative control. Hell then started his own band, Richard Hell & The Voidoids, releasing two albums, Blank Generation (1977) and Destiny Street (1982). His wild stage presence, spiked hair, and torn clothing was an early prototype for the punk look that later caught fire in England. The song “Blank Generation” is rightfully considered an iconic song of the punk era.
Hell eventually left the music business to rid himself of a crippling drug habit and distance himself from the drug culture that so often accompanies a musician’s lifestyle. In the decades since, he has focused on writing novels, memoirs, poetry, and music criticism.
Here’s an LP-length taste of Richard Hell & The Voidoids. Good stuff.
Cover Art:
- Blank Generation: Source, Discogs.com, Fair use.
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