Stiv Bators

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Steven John Bator, known as Stiv Bators (October 22, 1949 - June 2, 1990), was an American rock and roll and punk rock vocalist and guitarist from Youngstown, Ohio. He is best remembered for his bands, The Dead Boys and The Lords of the New Church.

[edit] Music and film career

In the course of his career, Bators was involved with a variety of bands, including Rocket From The Tombs, Frankenstein, The Wanderers and The Whores of Babylon (with Dee Dee Ramone and Johnny Thunders). He recorded as a solo artist with Bomp! Records.

It was as the lead singer and driving force of the Dead Boys, however, that Bators helped pioneer the punk rock sound, look and attitude. In 1977, Bators and the Dead Boys were featured in the independent punk rock film Crash 'n' Burn by Ross McLaren. Around the same time, the band became a popular staple at CBGB's, the now-legendary music club in New York City's East Village.

Later, the punk vocalist gained additional exposure through film. In 1981, Bators co-starred in the satirical John Waters film, Polyester. Seven years later, Bators made a memorable cameo appearance as "Dick Slammer", lead singer of "The Blender Children", in the offbeat comedy, Tapeheads, starring John Cusack and Tim Robbins.

[edit] Final years

In the 1980s Bators became romantically involved with model and singer Bebe Buell, mother of then infant Liv Tyler, and temporarily set up home with the pair in Bangor, Maine. He subsequently moved to England and established The Wanderers, whose core members were originally with the band Sham 69.

Bators remained an expatriate for the duration of his life. He married an English woman, divorced her, and relocated to Paris. There he remained until his untimely death. In 1990, a reportedly intoxicated Bators was struck by a laundry truck on a street in Paris. He was brought to a hospital but was reportedly sent home by the attending physician. Reports indicate that he died in his sleep as the result of a concussion. Unsubstantiated rumors suggest that Bators, a fan of rock legend Jim Morrison, had earlier requested that his ashes be spread over Morrison's Paris grave.