Live at Max's Kansas City (Johnny Thunders album)

Live at Max's Kansas City is a live album by Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers. Recorded at a series of Autumn 1978 "reunion"/"farewell" shows at the famous Max's Kansas City nightclub, the album's performance — loud, sloppy, and laden with bawdy introductions and/or lyric changes to many of the familiar songs from their only studio album, L.A.M.F. — further cemented the band's live reputation.

History

The album and "reunion" gigs came about after Thunders had returned from England, where he had completed recording his first solo album, So Alone, for Real Music. His fellow ex-Heartbreakers Walter Lure and Billy Rath had participated in some of the sessions for the album, and all three happened to find themselves in New York at the same time, and decided to play some gigs "for old time's sake" and some "chump change" (per the LP's liner notes). With drummer Jerry Nolan reluctant to backtrace his steps after quitting the band over L.A.M.F.<nowiki>'</nowiki>s poor sound, the Thunders/Lure/Rath triumvirate recruited one Ty Styx to take over the drum seat for the shows, all of which were recorded.

Originally released on Max's Kansas City Records and in England on Beggars Banquet Records through a logo deal with Max's Kansas City, the album was successful enough to warrant a second live recording done at the same venue. The band, now fully reunited with the return of Jerry Nolan to the drum...
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