Bill Rath Interview Before His Passing! Sex Pistols, Live At Max's & More!

Bill Rath was the bassist for the band "Johhny Thunders and The Heartbreakers". He is a legend in the rock n roll/punk world. I learned I had a few close ties to him, and emailed him and also spoken with him on the phone before his passing. His voice was like that of an old salty sailor, and he said his teeth were hurting him. We talked about home (massachusetts to us both), music, gear, life and among other things. I asked a few questions, most questions I didn't bother writing down as it was just conversation and I regret that now, I hadn't a clue he would of passed so soon. I also was going to audition for "The Street Pirates", he told me to bring down my guitar and amp but he passed before we set up a date. I felt it was time to finally just release this. It's only a few questions, but I feel it helps dig a little deeper in to the unknown of Billy. Rest In Peace, Billy.

 ERR: So Billy, you're a native to my parts (Massachusetts), most people only connect you with NY.

 Billy: That's right, I love it here in Mass, it's always been my home in my heart and I love the colors in the fall and the people. NY was a tough crowd for the most part and it's just not the same home feeling.

 ERR: I feel you and Glen Matlock were part of the very small group of bassists who could actually play, and play well and tight. How did you feel about some other bassists/musicians who lacked skill but somehow are remembered for that while those who could play are overlooked?

Billy: God bless Glen. The Sex Pistols were one of my favorite bands I got to witness. For my money, they were the best band and most exciting band of our era. Bless those guys, don't know how they managed to get through it all. I appreciate your compliment, that means a lot to me! I try not to be a jealous man, I love everybody, almost everybody (snickers). It did bother me at the time when I felt we were great, and it seems like everytime we were great it was never captured or written about y'know? I loved The Ramones, but at times I felt simplicity of our era was too forced upon the times. We were working musicians, we wanted to be better, anyone could play like Dee Dee or Sid Vicious but why go for that when you could push yourself and expand? I never got it.

ERR: You had Jerry, Terry Chimes, Ty Styx etc to name a few who stepped in to The Heartbreakers, who was your favorite to play with?

Billy: Jerry, may he rest in peace. He was a sweetheart. He was the greatest drummer I ever played with and will ever play with. I loved him. Even when there was tension, he was there in your corner. Ty Styx, I'm still embarrassed from that album. The band wasn't at our best. Ty, bless him, was no Jerry. He couldn't keep up or remember how songs went. The recording was poor too, like I said before we weren't captured at our best and shown to the public, that hurt us I feel. Terry was good, he fit right in, but no one had the feel of Jerry.

ERR: How about guitarist? I do seem to recall you played with a couple Waldo's and a New York Doll.

Billy: I loved playing with Johnny, rest in peace. When he on point and in control of himself he was brilliant. I loved playing with Walter because he was reliable. He never was lazy or sloppy and he did his job and he really was the heart and soul of The Heartbreakers. He kept it all together. I hope in the near future we do something special, just us two, to honor our band and bandmates legacies. Now on to the other crazy Waldo, Joey (Pinter of The Knots, The Waldos). God bless him and his lovely wife, Angie. The sweetest people you could meet. Joey and Johnny Witmer made me feel young, as if it was 1976 again. Joey is a legend and should be remembered as big as Johnny (Thunders) is and Johnny Witmer was a breath of fresh air. We had a drummer John, who did it all last minute, was a great guy a bright future ahead of him, very good drummer. Bless them. I liked working with Steve Dior, he's a solid british bloke (snickers). As for my own band, it's up in the air, very hard to get stable. Jack is a great guy and friend.

Well that was it, I did have a couple others that I believe I deleted off flashstick. Billy was a true legend and deserves to be honored. Countless people have been influenced by his playing and him as a person. Billy was a very religious man, he talked to me about 5 minutes straight on his beliefs, if you're a religious person, throw a prayer or thought or two up there for Billy. He's probably tuning up right now, Jerry is adjusting his throne and Johnny is going "Where the fuck is Waldo?".... Tate