Chris Ridpath: Thanks for taking the time to answer all my questions about the new version of In Cold Blood.
Nina Antonia: My pleasure.
CR: It's been almost 10 years since Johnny passed away. Why are you putting out the book now?
NA: It's not so much a matter of deciding on a time, as certain elements coming together to enable it to happen. I'd wanted ' In Cold Blood' to be reissued for quite a while, plus I'm always getting asked for copies, which I don't have ! Although looking at some of the auctions on Ebay, it would seem that some people have got a stockade of them. When Cherry Red approached Jungle regarding a licencing deal for the book, a year ago, that was the green light to move. There was always this strange little clause in my original contract with Jungle, that said something along the lines of ' If circumstances change, author must update the work.' Optimistically, I always hoped that Johnny would have a hit record, and that would prompt an update.
CR: This book contains new material covering the period 1987-1991 but did you rework any of the material from the old book?
NA: Aside from the 4 additional chapters, I did go back and rework portions of the original text. I originally wrote the book over a decade and half ago, and its seems a lifetime away. It is a life time away. I made the changes either because I wasn't happy with the way things read, or because I'd found out new information. For instance, in the summer before Jerry Nolan died, he came over to London and I did a long interview with him. So I was able to incorporate what he said, into the text. Likewise, over the years, I ended up getting the chance to talk to Wayne Kramer and the producer Jimmy Miller, so getting those insights helped as well. Looking back, it seems like it's been an on-going project, 'cos the budget just wasn't there for me to talk to everyone I wanted to, when the biography first came out.
CR: Can you tell me about some of the new photographs, interviews or material in the book?
NA: I wanted to stick with Johnny's premise that a decent biography is one with lots of photographs in it. Unfortunately financial restraints always come into the picture, but Alison Gordy was kind enough to donate some great photo's that she took, and Chris Musto also handed over a couple, as did some of Johnny and Jerry's friends. It's been a pretty communal effort, photo-wise. I like having a mixture of professional pictures with more candid shots, and that's what we've achieved, while keeping the best from the original book, plus a few surprise extras.
CR: You knew Johnny pretty well so it must have been hard writing this book after he died?
NA: It wasn't so much hard updating the book, as very, very sad. It was like a long, painful goodbye, but it had to be done, I wanted to do it....
CR: What do you think of all the new interest in The Dolls and JT during the last couple of years?
NA: Johnny is a safe commodity now that he's dead. He's become a short hand reference for rebellion, an instant symbol if you want to add some street credibility. It's a double edged sword because I don't want Johnny Thunders and his music to fade into obscurity, and I got a real kick when I went to see ' Bringing Out The Dead' and ' Memory' featured in it, but it would have been nice to see him get a little more glory and mainstream recognition when he was still alive. Ain't it always the way.
CR: What's your favourite JT period? Dolls, JT as Chuck Berry, JT as Bob Dylan?
NA: That's a hard one, talk about splitting hair styles, My fave JT period was JT as JT !
From The Johnny
Thunders Cyber Lounge
Last modified: December 6, 2000
Created by: Chris Ridpath