Dead Boys

(b. Stivin Bator, 22 October 1949, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, d. 4 June 1990, Paris, France)

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).  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.  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.  With six songs completed, Bators was hit by car in June 1990, and died the day after.    “In June 1990, while standing on a sidewalk in Paris, Stiv was hit by a car. He walked away from  the accident, because he was immune by then to suffering pain, but later died in his sleep at home.” ~ from Stiv Bators page.