Stiv Bators
b. Stivin Bator, 22 October 1949, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, d. June 1990. Bators formed his first bands Mother Goose and Frankenstein, who were transmuted into a seminal US ‘no wave’ band the Dead Boys. They moved to New York in 1976. Although they officially split in 1978 there would be frequent reunions, as Bators moved to Los Angeles where he recorded demos with friend Jeff Jones (ex-Blue Ash). He also gigged with Akron band Rubber City Rebels. The first release from the demos was a version of the Choir's (later the Raspberries) '60s single It's Cold Outside, which was released on Greg Shaw's Bomp label. A second guitarist and debut album (USA only) followed in 1980 on which the duo was augmented by guitarist Eddy Best and drummer David Quinton (formerly in Toronto's the Mods). After appearing in John Walter's cult movie Polyester, Bators formed a touring band with Rick Bremner replacing Quinton. By 1981, Bators had become a permanent member of the Wanderers. The Stiv Bators Band played a final American tour in February 1981 with Brian James of the Damned guesting on guitar, after which Bators would concentrate on the Wanderers until September 1981. After the impressive ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (1981), Bators took Dave Treganna (ex-Sham 69) with him to join James and Nicky Turner (ex-Barracudas) in Lords Of The New Church. Following the Lords' demise, Bators resurfaced in London in 1989 for a Return Of The Living Boys gig. This time his cohorts were drawn from a variety of local personnel, and it was not until he returned to Paris that he entered a recording studio once more. A new line-up included Dee Dee Ramone (Ramones), who had to be replaced by Neil X (Sigue Sigue Sputnik) before the sessions began, Kris Dollimore (ex-Godfathers) and guest appearances from Johnny Thunders. With six songs completed, Bators was hit by car in June 1990, and died the day after. There are hopes that his sessions will receive a posthumous release.