Richard Hell's final show in the band was May 14 1976. Replaced by Billy Rath
HEARTBREAKERS/MAX'S JULY 1976 - YouTube
From the wiki. The first gigs with the new lineup took place on July 23 and 24, 1976 at Max's Kansas City and earned rave reviews. The band continued to gig regularly in New York City throughout the summer and fall, and played several shows in Boston in September. Despite Childers' efforts and a reputation as a must-see live act, no recording contract was forthcoming, a situation that became increasingly frustrating. Lure wrote that "the kind of deals being offered were laughable, sleazy 50-50 splits that the bands could never, ever hope to profit from."[4] Although the band regularly drew packed crowds at Max's and other venues, by this point Thunders, Nolan, and Lure were heroin addicts (Rath preferred methamphetamine), so money was tight.
It was Billy Rath's first show. Nancy Spungen was in attendance and wrote a review of the show which appeared in The New York Rocker in August '76. You can read that review here... http://lovekillsblog.blogspot.com/201...
