Walter Lure, a co-founding member of the 1970s punk rock pioneers the Heartbreakers, died on August 22 at the age of 71, confirmed friends.
The New York-based guitarist appeared on the band’s only studio album, 1977s LAMF, alongside frontman Johnny Thunders, bassist Billy Rath and drummer Jerry Nolan. He left the following year, to return several times until 1991. He later became a shareholder, but continued to perform until earlier this year. A live version of LAMF featuring Lure alongside Replacements’ Tommy Stinson, MC5’s Wayne Kramer and Blondie’s Clem Burke was released in 2017.
Shortly after the New York City-based Heartbreakers played their first show in May 1975, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers hit the national stage. “We do not even know if we ourselves will be called the Heartbreakers [anymore], “Thunders scored wryly in a 1976 interview.” There’s a new band .. they’re called Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. We may change our name in the Headbreakers and go visit them. “To avoid confusion, the punk band was often called Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers.
“Walter Lure (April 22, 1949 – August 22, 2020) our dear friend has died,” read a Starwood Club social media post in Hollywood. “In July 2020, Walter was diagnosed with liver and lung cancer, which spread rapidly and he died of complications related to the cancer at the age of 71, peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by family. He was much loved by all and respected for everything he contributed to the world of music. He will be missed dearly. To his family, friends and fans our deepest condolences. May he RIP. ”
“I still play a lot LAMF songs and I still think they come across well, ”Lure said in a 2019 interview with Furios.com. ‘Maybe we had a little too many love songs about drugs, but we did that then, unfortunately. It was considered shocking at the time and we wanted that shocking image. “
He recalled that the disappointing sound of the original album had contributed to the death of the Heartbreakers, saying: ‘We remixed that thing 100 times in four or five different studios and remastered the final mixes several times … It was only when the masters were sent to the printing house to put on vinyl the sound came back as muted and lifeless. “Noting that their record company would have canceled their contract if they had not released the album,” he added: “Maybe they stayed together longer than they did in 1977. C’est la vie.”
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