Johnny Thunders

John Anthony Genzale (July 15, 1952 – April 23, 1991), known professionally as Johnny Thunders, was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He came to prominence in the early 1970s as a member of New York Dolls. He later formed the Heartbreakers and played as a solo artist.

Thunders was born John Anthony Genzale in Queens, New York, the second child of Josephine Genzale (née Nicoletti, 1923–1999) and Emil Genzale (1923–1982), both of Italian descent (Neapolitan/Sicilian). Thunders had an older sister, Mariann (1946–2009).

Thunders primarily grew up with his mother and sister. He lived in a one-and-a-half-bedroom apartment in East Elmhurst until he was 13. Eventually, Thunders and his family moved in with Thunder's grandmother in Jackson Heights after her husband died.

At age 14, Thunders dropped out of school and moved out the following year. Thunders would claim he hated school and was not the social type, preferring to spend time in parks.

His first musical performance was in the winter of 1967 with a band called the Reign. Shortly thereafter, he played with Johnny and the Jaywalkers, under the name Johnny Volume, at Quintano's School for Young Professionals, around the corner from Carnegie Hall, on 56th Street near 7th Avenue.

Biography summary from English Wikipedia, photograph via Wikimedia Commons.