Billy Rath Pirate Lover

By Cyndi Ford

Photo: Leee Childers

 

We were thrilled to bits to learn of the well-being of Former Heartbreakers Bassist, Billy Rath, when we saw photographs of him attending and playing at the Max's Kansas City Re-union shows in NYC last year...So, we thought we'd invite him along for a chat...Billy agreed, and here it is....his first ever interview!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Every story has a beginning, what is yours?

Well, I was born in New Hampshire Aug. 08-19--…. Moved to Mass, and grew up mostly in Belmont Mass. We did move around some, as my dad was a career officer in the Army. I was what people call an 'Army Brat'…My 1st band was when I was in 6th or 7th grade… I played the accordion, 1 guitar and drums…. We would play school dances and parties… yes it was a rock band playing the songs of the era.


Did you always play bass, or did you play guitar first?

No, I was never a Guitar Player, always a Bass player. In fact my sister gave me a guitar, and I took 2 strings of it… that was my 1st home made bass.
From then on I was a bass player who doubled on tenor sax for a while in one of my bands.


So what are some of the bands that you were in before the Heartbreakers?

All the bands I was in were local bands playing thru out New England, the college circuit and beach circuit. All were R&R bands.

What led you into joining the Heartbreakers, was Richard Hell kicked out or did he leave voluntarily?

My understanding was that Richard Hell left voluntarily. He was on a different track. In my opinion Richard was more artsy, a poet not a Rock n Roller.

Were you nervous filling his shoes?

Was I nervous about filling Hell’s shoes or joining the Heartbreakers?. NO!!! I knew I was the bassist they needed, before I met the boys for the 1st time… the fit was perfect, like a hand and glove. The heartbreakers were now the R&R band they set out to be. They asked me to join the band the very 1st time we played together.


What was it like playing in New York at Max’s Kansas City and did you know that you guys were breaking new ground?

Playing Max’s was great! Max’s became our home. As far as breaking new ground musically, was the farthest thing from our mind, we were just a New York street R&R band having fun doing what we loved.



What was it like playing with Johnny Thunders, was it all debauchery and angst?

Playing with Johnny was fun it was not all debauchery and angst, yeah, we had our days.... but everyone knows that musicians are temperamental and crazy.


The Anarchy tour in the UK, how did that go, and tell us the story of having a gun pulled on you at a hotel in Leeds?

The Anarchy Tour ended up being a bust, we played 4 gigs out of the 24 that were booked. This really hurt us as we were depending on the money from the gigs, to live and the were no hotels as there were no gigs… Hard times make the good times even better. The gun was just some crazy kid… I don’t even know if the gun was loaded but it was scary at the time… all part of R&R…

We all know that Johnny had a major drug problem, did this effect the band, and ultimately lead to the disbanding?

Yeah, Johnny had a problem and of course it affected some of the gigs but not most of them. The main reason for the band disbanding was Johnny was moving on as a solo artist. You must remember that the whole band was involved in drugs, Johnny just played it up more that the rest of us. He was not always as high as he pretended to be, Johnny played/acted out his image well.


The sax is not the first instrument that one thinks of when they think punk, who’s idea was it to add this, and who played it?

 

Photo : Shari Saffioti

The sax is a R&R instrument and the Heartbreakers were a R&R band NOT a punk band… that’s why the sax was used. PLEASE get this right/straight! It just happened that the punks loved us, but so did the rockers and the skinheads, etc. We were a New York street Rock ‘n Roll Band. We were/are lovers, not anarchists’/politicians‘!


What was the one song that the Heartbreakers did that really got the crowd going?

The crowed seemed to really get going with Chinese Rocks. As far as my favorite song was “It’s Not Enough”, Walter’s guitar work is great. [Ed, Agree!!]

Of all the albums done by the Heartbreakers, which one is your favorite and why?

I don’t have a favorite album... I love all the songs that the Heartbreakers and Johnny did, Don’t You!?

What is one night that stands out in your memory, as one of those classic nights out with the band, that you think should be included in the history of punk?

The one night that stands out the most is when we returned to New York and played 2 sold out nights at the Village Gate… New York was waiting for us, and we gave them the shows that they deserved. Another time was when we sold out 5 nights at the Marquee in London. This was R&R History… In my opinion, the press did not treat the band fairly, they were more interested in talking about the drugs, or not talking about us at all… we were not Londoners’, we were New Yorkers/Americans, four Rock n Rollers from the USA.


How did you guys feel about people throwing beers and such at the stage, did you consider it a bad thing, or just something that the punks did?

Yeah, it was a gross thing the throwing of beer and spitting at the band, but to the crowd it was a sign of affection and acceptance. It was still gross, but...what will be will be.


How did you survive the scene that took so many people down?

I don’t know how I survived, maybe because I got out just in time to get my health back. BUT, Now I’m Back To Let You Know I Can Really Shake M Down!!!

Friend of SoundCheck, and lifelong devotee to The Heartbreakers, Tom Crossley, would like to ask the following Billy, Is that Ok?

Whats the scoop on your foot injury?

I was in a car accident and developed an infection in my ankle so they had to remove my foot.... I now have a prosthesis, a 'peg leg' so to speak...
 

How did 'The Muggers' come about?

The Muggers was speedy keens idea, in order to keep me busy and away
from drugs... Phil from Motorhead was on drums, Fast Eddie and Speedy
Keen on guitar and vocal, I was on bass... we only did live recordings... and I
don't know where they are.

 

Are there any other 'Rath' recordings we should know about?

Well, I played bass on a Ronnie Spector album, produced by Genya Ravan...

 

Finally, any truth in the rumour you're coming over here with Walter to do some Heartbreakers shows..


It is just a rumour about me and Walter. But I am coming to the UK
and Europe with "Billy Rath's Street Pirates" this summer...

 

Billy, It has been an enormous pleasure talking with you, and we look forward to hanging out in London/Manchester...Wherever you play!!! Thank You so much!

Cyndi