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Billy Rath , former Bassist for the legendary Heartbreakers , one of New York's most influential Punk bands , it was just announced , only has a few months left to live. He was still performing with his latter day band , The Street Pirates , until recently , when his health toook a turn for the worse.
Rath effectively took over when original Heartbreakers ' Bassist , Richard Hell , was ousted from the group , after an unsuccesful attempt to overthrow Johnny Thunders' position as frontman. Naturally , his savage Bass parts fit right in with The Heartbreakers' Cochranized Guitar and Drum combinations. They quickly became favorites in Manhattan , challenged only by The Ramones , Dead Boys , and , later, The Dictators. They played select dates in The U.S. and Canada , and , just a few months into Rath's tenure with the group , found themselves on The Anarchy Tour with The Sex Pistols , The Clash , and The Damned. the Damned were bumped off the tour early , though , and the majority of dates were cancelled. Still , the band renmained in Britain for a year , partly because the local Punk crowd tood to them like a fish to water, but , also because addicts were treated far more humanely than in New York.
I could not tell you what has recently put his life in jeopardy , though Rath , like his fellow Heartbreakers (Barring Walter Lure , arguably.) had grappled with addiction for years. In fact , his actual whereabouts , it seems , were only known to a few , until he resurfaced in Boston , formed The Street Pirates , and became a fixture on The Beantown musiic scene. Rath was conspicuous in his absence at what would turn out to be The Heartbreakers' last reunion gig , shortly before Johnny Thunders was found dead in New Orleans. But , for the many "Rent Party" , and occasional tours The Heartbreakers did , after breaking up in the late '70s , Rath was sometimes replaced by Tony Coiro from Walter Lure's band , The Waldos (Coiro passed away recently , though Lure still plays out on occasion. ) . When asked why Coiro was standing in for Lure , Walter told Tim Stegall, "Oh , he joined The Hare Krishnas or something.....". But , as of 20 - some years ago , Billy's current status was a mystery to most.
Rath found himself musically active , and well - liked , in Boston. But , bandmate and best friend , Jack Christoforo (aka J.C.Ripp.), announced that Billy has gone home to be with his family , is now at peace , and is expected to go in peace. He is only expected to live for a few more months , but is asking that friends and fans do not mourn , but celebrate his life and teh music of The Heartbreakers , as he has , adding that he is in better spirits , now , than those who've thought about and prayed for him . He is ready , he is not afraid of what lies ahead.
