Ivan Julian Richard Hell

read Richard Hell's statement on Ivan Julian ahead of cancer benefit show

As you may know, Ivan Julian, who backed Richard Hell in the legendary NYC punk band the Voidoids, has been diagnosed with cancer. There’s a benefit concert coming up with Richard Hell and fellow NYC punk legends Debbie Harry, Lenny Kaye, The Dictators NYC, Bush Tetras and more; Ivan’s label is donating proceeds from record sales to his medical bills; and there’s a GoFundMe campaign set up. Richard Hell has also posted a statement on Ivan, via that GoFundMe:

I’ve known Ivan since he was 21, in spring 1976 (40 years ago), when Bob Quine and Marc Bell and I were auditioning people to become Quine’s Voidoid co-guitarist. Bob was so impressed by Ivan’s chops, he copped the slot on the spot. He’s only gotten better, year after year, as a player and all around monster of goodness, and that’s the truth. I love him. It’s horrible that he has to suffer some terribly painful, life-threatening illness, and have it ravage him financially as well. American barbarism. What’s left are his friends, admirers, and sympathizers. Please contribute to his fund if you possibly can.

That benefit show is now sold out, but you can join the waiting list in case tickets become available.

Ivan Julian has stayed active in recent years, releasing music as a solo artist and as a member of The Fauntleroys with Alejandro Escovedo. Watch a video of Ivan playing the Voidoids classic “Blank Generation” below…

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