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{{Short description|American singer-songwriter}}
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{{Short description|American singer-songwriter}}
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{{Draft topics|biography|music}}
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{{AfC topic|blp}}


{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist

Revision as of 23:56, 28 June 2025

  • Comment: I simply do not see how this passes WP:NPERSON or WP:NMUSICBIO. It appears to be mainly sourced to material that's either from sources of dubious reliability (what are Vanyaland or StorageSanity, for example), interviews, or discusses him as part of The Thrills. I especially question the sourcing quality as I personally do not feel comfortable with accepting a draft on a living person that cites poor sources in any capacity. The opinions of the other editors here also doesn't help - the fact that five reviewers have already rejected it for notability concerns feels like a rough consensus. λ NegativeMP1 22:08, 28 June 2025 (UTC)
  • Comment: IMDb is not a reliable source. Theroadislong (talk) 21:47, 27 June 2025 (UTC)
  • Comment: No sources added since last decline, still not notable. ~/Bunnypranav:<ping> 14:35, 20 June 2025 (UTC)


Johnny Angel Wendell
Angel in Los Angeles in October 2012
Background information
BornJune 24 1956
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
GenresHardcore punk, Hard rock, Parody, Americana
Occupation(s)Writer, journalist, actor, radio host, and musician
Instrument(s)Vocalist, guitar
Years active1978–present
LabelsX & Z Records

Johnny Angel Wendell is an American writer, musician.

Early Life

Wendell was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1977, he received his Class 7 License as a stockbroker. Instead of continuing the family business, he chose to pursue a career in music, aligning with the emergence of punk rock in the late 1970s.

Music career

Thrills

In 1977, Johnny Angel Wendell co founded The Thrills, a punk influenced rock band that became Boston scene. The group was known for blending punk sensibility and for its dynamic live performances. The lead vocals were provided by Barb Kitson, whose theatrical, Broadway-style delivery stood out in the local scene. The group was known for blending rockabilly and country influences. In Boston, during the late 1970s through 1982, the band included members, Barb Kitson (died 2005) on vocals, Wendell on guitar and vocals, Merle Allin on bass and vocals, Michael Collins on drums and Sean McDonough on guitar was added in 1980. Thrills were part of a vibrant late-1970s Boston music landscape that included bands like Mission of Burma, Lyres, Classic Ruins, and Unnatural Axe. The band competed in the 1978 and 1979 editions of the WBCN Rock & Roll Rumble, though they did not win either year. [1] The Thrills were one of the many bands that came out of the Boston scene in the late-'70s.[2] Touring throughout New England with the likes of the Ramones, Johnny Thunders, The Cars and U2 . Thrills released their debut single on Decibel Records in 1979: "I'll Be the Heartbreaker" backed with "Hey (Not Another Face in the Crowd)" on the B-side. Their single "Don't Come Back" was off the compilation album, N.A.F.I.T.C. was recorded live at the Metro Theatre in 1981. They recorded the EP "City Thrills" in 1981 on Star Rhythm Records. In 1980, due to conflicts with a New York band of the same name, the Thrills changed their name to City Thrill.[3] As founder of Thrills, the Massachusetts native (played a major role in Boston's late-'70s scene focused on the legendary Rathskeller, better know as the Rat (and a k a "Boston's CBGB").[4] They’re remembered mainly for "Hey! (Not Another Face in the Crowd).”[5]

Blackjacks

After City Thrills broke up in 1983, Wendell returned to Boston and formed the Blackjacks with Whitey and drummer, Jeff Erna (original drummer, Dropkick Murphys).[6] The band then hired their roadie, Rafe Mabry, to play guitar.

The Blackjacks were more a rock band, with influences from 1950s rock and roll, 1960s pop and psych, 1970s punk, blues and garage rock. The band released "Basic Blackjacks" in June 1984, and "Dreaming of Saturday Again" was a local hit. "Dressed In Black" made #1 on WBCN's local countdown. This, with a video of "Dreaming of Saturday Again" got moderate play on local music video channel V-66. the Blackjacks attracted the fledgling Homestead Records into signing them as their first ever act. They also landed a gig in early 1984, opening for the Clash at the Worcester Centrum [7] In July 1989, the band played its last gig at The Rat. After the break up of The Blackjacks, Wendell became a standup comic with a guitar and formed "The Swinging Erudites". June 2004, the Blackjacks performed a reunion gig in Boston.[8] Over the years, Wendell and the Blackjacks have supported the Ramones, U2, the Clash, Jim Carroll, the Cars, J Geils, Echo and the Bunnymen, Stranglers, Stiff Little Fingers, Johnny Thunders, Run DMC and more. The Blackjacks also were contestants in The 1984 WBCN Rock and Roll Rumble.[9]

Swinging Erudites

Swinging Erudites was a side novelty project Johnny formed with Sonny Columbus (James Ryan of Boston's Rat's Hoodoo BBQ). The band was made up of Suzie Sasumi (Suzie Kerr-Wright Suzie Kerr Wright[10]) vocals, Meg A. Bux (Meg Lyons) vocals, Greg Yourbassist (Greg Urbaitis) on Bass, Pterry Dactyl (Garry Cook) on drums, Brother Cleve (Bob Toomey) on keyboards/accordion (1st ½), Sandy Beach (Sandy Grant) on keyboards (2nd ½). The band garnered attention with its risque parody of the hit "Walk Like an Egyptian" by The Bangles, retitled "Walk With an Erection". The song became a minor local sensation and exemplified the band’s offbeat, comedic approach to music. Though the Swinging Erudites were short-lived and more of a regional phenomenon, their cult following and local radio play helped maintain Wendell’s visibility in the Boston music scene between his stints in The Thrills and The Blackjacks. [11]

Solo career

In 2011, Wendell went back into the studio to record 12 songs for a new CD titled "IT!!".

Wendell played all the stringed instruments except steel (Boo Burns). All the horns and most of the keys were by Scott Gilman. Brock Avery played drums, JG from The Mighty Mighty Bosstones played keyboards, Mary Powers and Julie Christiansen sang.[12] These tunes are reminiscent of the tough but tender writing of Fred Koller and more obviously of Warren Zevon's bittersweet sensibilities.[13] IT!! is filled with touching moments, gritty growls, tight harmonies, clean musicianship, great production quality, goofiness, catchy hooks, great riffs, and a Celtic stomp..[14]

Media

Film

Wendell has made appearances in several independent films.

  • The Great Intervention (2011) - a Steve Moramarco film, in which Wendell played a frustrated club booker who delivers a tirade against Moramarco's character following a performance with no audience.
  • Get All You Can (2020) a comedy directed by Peter Gilbert, Wendell appears in a supporting roll set in a basement that becomes the target of an accidental break-in by millennial bank robbers. film

Writings

in addition to his music career, Wendell became known as a political commentator and writer. He was a columnist for the LA Weekly where he covered political and cultural topics with progressive slant and left leaning political analysis. Wendell had also been a columnist for the Boston Phoenix, Bay Guardian February 2015, Wendell released "Looking For Lady Dee", a punk rock mystery novel which tells his story juxtaposed against the disappearance of his band's fan, Lady Dee.[15] Then later released In This Darkness, I Disappear.

Radio

SFBG Online, launched a show on April 29, 2010, with Wendell appearing twice a week. He had also been a show host on KFI 640.[16] in Los Angeles, KIFR-FM and Green960 in the Bay Area. He was a regular on Fox News Radio as fill in for the late Alan Colmes and for the recently retired John Gibson. He was a regular weekend host on the Air America affiliate KTLK in Los Angeles from 2004 to 2013. KTLK became KEIB where Wendell hosted "Southern California Live With Johnny Wendell from 2013 to April, 2019.[17]

Solo recording

Wendell released his first solo single, "My Lesbian Friend" was released on January 20, 2013. It featured Brock Avery on drums. The B-side had "Vamanos A Panama" (with Dicky Barrett, JG and Scott Gilman)and "No Fun in the Modern World",with contributions from Keith Morris and Ross "The Boss". In June 2013 Wendell released a second single released June 2013 "SHE" described as themes of ecstasy, heartache and despair.

Discography

  • 1981 "N.A.F.I.T.C. Original Boston Punk, 1977-1981" Bacchus Archives
  • 1981 "City Thrills" Star Rhythm Records
  • 1984 "Basic Blackjacks" EP Homestead Records
  • 1984 "Dress in Black" LP Throbbing Lobster
  • 2011 "IT!!" CD and download X & Z Records
  • 2013 "SHE" vinyl record and download X & Z Records

References

  1. ^ Marotta, Michael O'Connor (March 2, 2016). "Vintage Video: Watch La Peste and the Neighborhoods duke it out around the 1979 Rumble". Vanyaland.
  2. ^ "The Thrills NAFITC".
  3. ^ "The Thrills Biography". AllMusic.
  4. ^ "Johnny Angel, Boston's Rat, and 5 bands you should know about". 14 October 2016.
  5. ^ "Off The Record". Providence Phoenix.
  6. ^ "Johnny Angel Talks about The Blackjacks Reunion". Bostongroupienews.com. Retrieved 2012-11-30.
  7. ^ "The Blackjacks". 10 June 2009.
  8. ^ "Blackjacks Reunion 6/2004".
  9. ^ "New England Music Scrapbook".
  10. ^ "Suzie Kerr Wright - Astrologer, Psychic Medium & Tarot reader". Suzie Kerr Wright. Archived from the original on 2019-03-08. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  11. ^ "Uproar over Spoof of Bangles' Song". Los Angeles Times. 19 April 1987.
  12. ^ "Boston Groupie News". Archived from the original on May 24, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  13. ^ "Johnny "Angel" Wendell: IT!! » PopMatters". 10 April 2012.
  14. ^ "IT!! - Johnny Angel Wendell".
  15. ^ "Punk Rock's Johnny Angel Turns to the Written Word, and Takes His Past with Him". 15 April 2015.
  16. ^ "More Stimulating Talk Radio". KFI AM 640. Retrieved 2012-11-30.
  17. ^ "Johnny Angel Wendell—Double Local Legend". 12 October 2023.



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