The Dead Boys
“Sonic Reducer (Live)”
Young, Loud, and Snotty
I can’t believe it. It was 25 years ago that my friend and hero, Stiv Bators, was killed in a taxi accident in Paris. Bators was one of the inventors of punk, and he was born in my home town of Youngstown, Ohio. The Dead Boys were the house band for CBGB’s, and they (along with the Ramones and the Damned) set the standard for punk, and all other punk bands who have come along since owe EVERYTHING to the Dead Boys. Stiv was a wild man, and he was one of the nicest guys I have ever met. I remember my mom meeting Stiv’s mom at the store, and the two gossiped about how proud they were of their punk sons. I will remember him always. Rest in peace, Stiv. I miss you now, I missed you then, I’ll miss you forever.