Artist page · 04/07/2026

Johnny Thunders

East ElmhurstBorn in 1952Alternatif11 vinyl albums
Johnny Thunders, born July 15, 1952 in New York, was a US punk guitarist and singer active from the early 1970s until his death in 1991.
11Albums on Vinyles.com
450Discogs releases
228kLast.fm listeners

About

Johnny Thunders, Pioneering New York punk with raw guitar and emotional voice.

11 vinyl releases spanning punk, rock, and blues; collectible original pressings in France and UK.

Johnny Thunders was a guitarist and singer originating from East Elmhurst, New York, known for his role in pioneering punk rock and rock & roll from the 1970s. He was the lead guitarist for The New York Dolls from 1972 to 1975 before founding The Heartbreakers. His solo works blend punk, rockabilly, and blues with a distinctive guitar sound influenced by Chuck Berry and Link Wray.

His catalog includes 11 vinyl records with genres crossing punk, alternative, and rock indie, released on labels such as New Rose Records and Cleopatra Records. Notable pressings include French releases of "In Cold Blood" and "So Alone," with prices ranging from €11 to €49 for original editions. Thunders' emotional vocal style and raw guitar work remain influential in punk and rock circles.

Discography

Johnny Thunders — Discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

So AlonesomeRemarquable Records · 2018
2018
So Alonesome
Vinyl, LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Special Edition
Studio
Dawn Of The Dead: Live At Max's Kansas City (New York)Cleopatra · 2012
2012
Dawn Of The Dead: Live At Max's Kansas City (New York)
Vinyl, LP, Album, Picture Disc
Live
Sticks & Stones: The Lost AlbumCleopatra · 2009
2009
Sticks & Stones: The Lost Album
Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition
Studio
Thunderstorm In DetroitCaptain Trip Records · 2001
2001
Thunderstorm In Detroit
CD, Album, Remastered
Studio
Live And Wasted - Unplugged 1990Receiver Records Limited · 2000
2000
Live And Wasted - Unplugged 1990
CD, Album
Live
Belfast RocksAnagram Records · 1997
1997
Belfast Rocks
CD, Album
Studio
Chinese Rocks (The Ultimate Thunders Live Collection)Anagram Records · 1993
1993
Chinese Rocks (The Ultimate Thunders Live Collection)
CD, Album
Studio
Have FaithFan Club · 1992
1992
Have Faith
CD, Album
Studio
Saddest Vacation - Last Live In Japan Act. 1Meldac · 1991
1991
Saddest Vacation - Last Live In Japan Act. 1
CD, Album
Live
Saddest Vacation - Last Live In Japan Act. 2Meldac · 1991
1991
Saddest Vacation - Last Live In Japan Act. 2
CD, Album
Live
Hurt Me MoreMeldac · 1991
1991
Hurt Me More
CD, Album
Studio
Live In JapanJ.A.P. International · 1989
1989
Live In Japan
CD, Album
Live
Copy CatsJungle Records · 1988
1988
Copy Cats
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Stations Of The CrossROIR · 1987
1987
Stations Of The Cross
Cassette, Album, Stereo
Studio
Que Sera, SeraJungle Records · 1985
1985
Que Sera, Sera
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
In Cold BloodNew Rose Records · 1984
1984
In Cold Blood
Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Mini-Album
Studio
In Cold BloodNew Rose Records · 1983
1983
In Cold Blood
Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Album, LP, All Media, Stereo
Studio
The New Too Much Junkie BusinessROIR · 1983
1983
The New Too Much Junkie Business
Cassette, Album, Stereo
Studio
Hurt MeNew Rose Records · 1983
1983
Hurt Me
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
So AloneReal Records · 1978
1978
So Alone
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Johnny Thunders's career.

01
You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory
You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory
Sticks & Stones: The Lost Album · 2009
02
You Can't Put Your Arms Round a Memory
You Can't Put Your Arms Round a Memory
So Alone · 1978
03
Pipeline
Pipeline
So Alone · 1978
04
Chinese Rocks
·
05
Born to Lose
·
06
Great Big Kiss
Great Big Kiss
So Alone · 1978
07
Ask Me No Questions
Ask Me No Questions
So Alone · 1978
08
Leave Me Alone
Leave Me Alone
So Alone · 1978

The essentials

The 3 Johnny Thunders albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 1978
Vinyl, LP, Album
So Alone (45th Anniv)

Thunders' 1978 solo debut features ten tracks that blend raw punk energy with early rock and roll influences. The album has multiple original and reissue pressings, commanding collector interest.

10 tracksOriginal LP pressing1978Rock & Roll / Punk
#2 · 1983
12", 45 RPM, Mini-Album
In Cold Blood

This EP mixes studio and live recordings showcasing Thunders’ garage rock and punk styles. French original pressings from 1983 are sought after by collectors.

5 tracks1983Mini-AlbumNew Rose Records
#3 · 2009
Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition
Sticks & Stones: The Lost Album

A posthumous limited edition LP compiling studio and live tracks from New York City sessions and peaks into Thunders' later work.

30 tracksLimited Edition2009Rock & Roll

Go further

Artists similar to Johnny Thunders

Artists who share part of Johnny Thunders's musical DNA.

Collectors

For vinyl die-hards

The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.

Market values (source: Discogs)

For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.

In Cold Blood
Master release · 12" · 1984
Market position i
10,65 €
Min price 9 €Max price 19 €
Average price 10,65 €
Only 34 copies for sale on Discogs
176 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
In Cold Blood
Master release · 12" · 1983
Market position i
16,50 €
Min price 15 €Max price 150 €
Average price 16,50 €
Only 53 copies for sale on Discogs
226 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
So Alone
Master release · LP · 1978
Market position i
41,90 €
Min price 35 €Max price 49 €
Average price 41,90 €
Only 44 copies for sale on Discogs
1 159 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
So Alonesome
Master release · LP · 2018
Market position i
70,00 €
Min price 70 €Max price 70 €
Average price 70,00 €
Only 6 copies for sale on Discogs
154 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Dawn Of The Dead: Live At Max's Kansas City (New York)
Master release · LP · 2012
Market position i
15,43 €
Min price 14 €Max price 17 €
Average price 15,43 €
Only 11 copies for sale on Discogs
38 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Sticks & Stones: The Lost Album
Master release · LP · 2009
Market position i
31,00 €
Min price 20 €Max price 40 €
Average price 31,00 €
Only 17 copies for sale on Discogs
97 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)

Notable pressings & editions

AlbumEdition Country · Year Matrix Market tension Value
So AlonesomeLP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Special Edition
Remarquable Records UK · 2018 RMQ2 🔥 Standard edition
154 want · 353 have · ratio 0,4
So AlonesomeLP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Special Edition
Remarquable Records UK · 2018 RMQ2 Original pressing
154 want · 353 have · ratio 0,4
70,00 €
In Cold Blood12", 45 RPM, Mini-Album
New Rose Records France · 1984 NEW 31 🔥 Standard edition
176 want · 440 have · ratio 0,4
11,30 €
In Cold Blood12", 45 RPM, Mini-Album, Repress
New Rose Records France · 1983 ROSE 18, ROSE 18 A 🔥 Standard edition
226 want · 1 168 have · ratio 0,2
15,00 €
In Cold Blood12", 45 RPM, Stereo
New Rose Records France · 1983 ROSE 18, NEW 18A Original pressing
226 want · 1 168 have · ratio 0,2
18,00 €
So AloneLP, Album
Warner Bros. Records Netherlands · 1978 WB 56 571, Ral 1 🔥 Standard edition
1 159 want · 2 466 have · ratio 0,5
So AloneLP, Album
Real Records (2) France · 1978 RAL 1, WB 56 571 Original pressing
1 159 want · 2 466 have · ratio 0,5
49,00 €
In Cold Blood12", 45 RPM, Mini-Album, Repress
New Rose Records France NEW 31 Original pressing
176 want · 440 have · ratio 0,4
30,00 €

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of Johnny Thunders

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

Johnny Thunders’ guitar technique drew from rock pioneers Chuck Berry and Link Wray, forming a distinct punk sound.
— Johnny Thunders profile
01Live Recording

Live From Zurich ’85 captures Thunders’ punk energy

This 2021 vinyl release documents a live performance from 1985 in Zurich, Switzerland, preserving the raw intensity of Johnny Thunders’ stage presence during his punk phase.

1985Zurich
02Pressing

French original pressings of In Cold Blood

French vinyl for "In Cold Blood" was released by New Rose Records in 1983 and 1984, with original copies priced between €11.30 and €30, making them key items for collectors of French punk vinyl.

1983-1984France
03Live Album

Dawn of the Dead: Live at Max's Kansas City

This 2012 picture disc LP captures a 1970s New York City live show, highlighting Thunders’ blending of rock & roll and punk styles in a historic venue.

2012New York City
04Vinyl Release

So Alone original LP pressing rare in France

The 1978 LP "So Alone" has French original pressings on Real Records that are collectible, with current prices approaching €49 due to limited stocks.

1978France

FAQ

FAQ: Johnny Thunders on physical formats

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

Who was Johnny Thunders?

Johnny Thunders was an American punk guitarist and singer, known as lead guitarist of The New York Dolls and founder of The Heartbreakers, active mainly in the 1970s and 1980s.

What genres did Johnny Thunders play?

He played punk rock, rock & roll, rock indie, alternative, and blues-influenced styles, combining raw guitar with emotional vocals.

What are some essential Johnny Thunders vinyl records?

Essential vinyl albums include "So Alone" (1978), "In Cold Blood" (1983), and "Sticks & Stones: The Lost Album" (2009).

Are there rare Johnny Thunders vinyl pressings in France?

Yes, French original pressings of "In Cold Blood" and "So Alone" from the early 1980s and late 1970s are rare and sought after.

Where was Johnny Thunders from?

He was born in East Elmhurst, New York, United States, in 1952.

Did Johnny Thunders perform live recordings available on vinyl?

Yes, vinyl releases include live recordings from Zurich (1985), Los Angeles (1987), Osaka (1991), and Detroit (1980).

What label released Johnny Thunders’ album "In Cold Blood"?

"In Cold Blood" was released on New Rose Records, with multiple editions and pressings on vinyl.

How popular is Johnny Thunders among vinyl collectors?

Johnny Thunders has over 11 vinyl releases with tracked prices and multiple collectible pressings, reflecting ongoing interest from punk and rock collectors.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 04/07/2026