Richard Hell and the Voidoids
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | Richard Hell |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums, singles, EPs |
Richard Hell and the Voidoids were a pioneering American punk rock group that originated in New York City in 1976, led by frontman Richard Hell, who had previously been a member of the Neon Boys, Television, and the Heartbreakers.
History
Born in Kentucky, Richard Meyers relocated to New York City after leaving high school in 1966, with ambitions of becoming a poet. Alongside his high school companion Tom Miller, he established the Neon Boys, which evolved into Television by 1973. Both adopted stage names: Miller took on Verlaine, inspired by the French poet, while Meyers became Richard Hell to embody his artistic identity.
Television holds the distinction of being the first rock band to perform at CBGB, a venue that became central to New York’s burgeoning punk movement. Hell’s dynamic stage presence, combined with his ripped attire adorned with safety pins, played a significant role in shaping punk fashion. In 1975, Malcolm McLaren claimed credit for introducing these stylistic elements to England and influencing the Sex Pistols, though lead singer John Lydon has challenged this assertion.
Following creative disagreements with Verlaine, Hell departed Television in April 1975 and shortly thereafter co-created the Heartbreakers alongside Johnny Thunders from the New York Dolls. His stint there was short-lived; by early 1976, Hell assembled a new lineup featuring guitarist Robert Quine—whom he knew from working together in a bookstore—Ivan Julian, who answered an advertisement placed in the Village Voice, and drummer Marc Bell (later known as Marky Ramone), formerly of Wayne County & the Electric Chairs. The ensemble was christened "the Voidoids," a name derived from a novel Hell was authoring at the time.
Hell’s musical influences included icons such as Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, and the Beatles, as well as protopunk acts like the Stooges and the Velvet Underground, noted for their poetic lyricism and raw rock sound often linked with heroin culture. Quine’s fascination with the Velvet Underground led him to record numerous bootleg performances during the late 1960s. The Voidoids also paid homage to garage rock groups like the Seeds and the Count Five, both featured on the seminal Nuggets compilation. Their style is frequently categorized within the art punk genre.
Hell composed "Blank Generation" while still with Television and had been performing it regularly since 1975. In 1976, the Voidoids issued a Blank Generation EP through Ork Records, including tracks such as "Blank Generation," "Another World," and "You Gotta Lose." The cover image, captured by Hell’s ex-girlfriend Roberta Bayley, depicted him shirtless with his jeans unzipped. This EP garnered underground acclaim and secured them a deal with Sire Records for their first full-length album.
Legacy
The Voidoids are credited with establishing the foundational "punk look" characterized by studded accessories that heavily influenced punk fashion in the United Kingdom, particularly impacting bands like the Sex Pistols. Nevertheless, John Lydon has publicly questioned their role in shaping British punk style.
Members
- Richard Hell – vocals, bass
- Robert Quine – guitar (deceased 2004)
- Ivan Julian – guitar
- Marc Bell (Marky Ramone) – drums
- Naux (Juan Maciel) – guitar (deceased 2009)
- Frank Mauro – drums
- Michael Allison – guitar
- Jody Harris – guitar
- Fred Maher – drums
- Jerry Antonius – bass
- Jahn Xavier Bonfiglio – bass
- Ted Horowitz – bass
- James Morrison – drums
- Anton Fier – drums (deceased 2022)
- Geoff Freeman – guitar
- Charles Wood – drums
- Michael Paumgarten – guitar
- Sue Williams – bass
Studio Albums
- Blank Generation (1977, released by Sire Records)
- Destiny Street (1982, issued through Red Star Records)
Singles and EPs
- "Another World" EP (1976, Ork Records)
- "Blank Generation" 7" single (1977, Sire Records)
- The Blank Generation 12" EP (1977, Sire Records)
- "The Kid with the Replaceable Head" 7" single (1978, Radar Records)
Live Albums
- Funhunt: Live at CBGB's & Max's 1978 and 1979 (1989, ROIR)
- Gone to Hell (2008, Vinyl Japan)
Compilation Albums
- Destiny Street Repaired (2009, Insound)
Filmography
- Blank Generation (1980 film)
Further Reading
- Hell, Richard. I Dreamed I Was a Very Clean Tramp. Ecco, published February 18, 2014. ISBN 978-0062190840