“Looking For Johnny - The Legend Of Johnny Thunders” DVD (director: Danny Garcia)

Superb documentary on legendary rocker

For some, Johnny Thunders was a rock legend — never quite making a dent in the mainstream, but inspiring countless garage and punk guitarists through the years. His work with the seminal glam/punk band the New York Dolls, as well as his later work with the Heartbreakers and beyond influenced everyone from the Sex Pistols to Guns ’N Roses. Found dead of mysterious causes in New Orleans in 1991, at a young 38 years of age, Thunders’ legacy exists with the numerous recordings he left behind. Speculation of possible foul play are persistent, but with Thunders’ serious drug addictions (and his vaguely hidden advanced leukemia), the police in New Orleans are seemingly content to let the case cool.

Garcia’s documentary took him 18 months to assemble, and his efforts don’t go unrewarded. Most of Thunders’ former bandmates, family members, friends, and associates are all featured here, as well as tons of live and behind the scenes footage. It’s probably about as complete and comprehensive a documentary as can be done on the subject, and will easily stand as the hallmark of Thunders biographies. Not being all that familiar with Thunders’ work, this proved to be a great intro and a completely respectable look at the man who was plagued by several (likely fatal) vices, yet stood tall as a rock icon. A wonderful rock bio, and a fine film detailing a tragic rock star’s rise and fall.

MVD Visual

Johnny Thunders unofficial site

New York Dolls - "Lookin' Fine On Television" DVD

Hailing from New York (of course) in the early 70's, the NY Dolls were progenitors of the yet-to-break punk movement. The band, centered around frontman David Johansen and guitarist Johnny Thunders, rocked with as much swagger and androgyny as the early Stones, only with less blues and more of a raw, garage vibe, inspiring bands from the Sex Pistols to Guns 'N Roses in their wake.

This DVD collects a number of rare and long-lost TV appearances from the bands' heyday, and it's obvious that these VHS tapes were on the verge of decay. Fortunately, the poor, grainy, and often black-and-white footage is collaged and seamlessly mixed with quality audio and interspersed interview and backstage bits. So this turns into a cohesive 70-minute set of prime Dolls. Well-done, especially with the limited footage and resources. Maybe this one isn't a must-see for most punk fans, but completists will find "Lookin' Fine" more than essential. (MVD Visual)

New York Dolls site

"History On My Arms with Dee Dee Ramone" (director: Lech Kowalski) DVD+CD

Actually a set of 3 films (and a CD), this release centers around "Hey Is Dee Dee Home", a candid interview session with the storied and streetwise Ramones bassist. In this, he recounts (in his "been there, done that" Brooklyn accent) some personal history and reflections on the whole New York downtown 70's punk rock scene, complete with friends and accomplices like Johnny Thunders, Richard Hell, Debbie Harry & Chris Stein, and the whole drug/music scene that he was a prime player in. Dee Dee, despite his perennial troubles with drugs and the law, proved to be quite articulate and personable in these interviews, and they serve as a sort of memorial to the charismatic rock outlaw. The bonuses include "Vom In Paris", an interview with Die Toten Hosen drummer Vom Ritchie, who was invited to Paris to play with Ramone, Thunders, and Stiv Bators in a short-lived band that never got off the ground, and "History On My Arms", which is basically recycled and out-take footage of Dee Dee from the "Hey Is Dee Dee Home" film. These extras are pretty expendable pieces, though they should prove interesting for die-hard Ramones/Johnny Thunders fans and those seeking insight into those golden days of NYC proto-punk. The CD is a lo-fi collection of Dee Dee solo guitar pieces. R.I.P. Douglas Colvin (aka Dee Dee Ramone). (MVD Visual)