Following the band's initial collapse in the late '70s, Lure made a radical career change. While still battling addiction—which he eventually overcame in 1988—he took an entry-level job on Wall Street in the early 1980s. He spent decades as a successful and bond trader , working for firms like Lehman Brothers until its 2008 bankruptcy. Despite his corporate success, he never left music behind:
Walter Lure, Guitarist for a 'Mythical' Punk Band, Dies at 71 pioneers heartbreakers dead walter lure punk rock
The story of is one of the most unique "second acts" in rock history, transitioning from a founding member of the seminal punk band The Heartbreakers to a successful Wall Street stockbroker . The Punk Pioneer Following the band's initial collapse in the late
Lure joined in 1975, playing rhythm guitar and writing or co-writing many of the tracks on their only studio album, the 1977 classic L.A.M.F. (Like a Mother F---er). The band was central to the exploding New York punk scene and famously joined the Sex Pistols , The Clash , and The Damned on the legendary Anarchy Tour in the UK in 1976. While bandmates like Johnny Thunders were known for their wild, heroin-fueled lifestyles, Lure was often considered the "linchpin" that kept the group together musically. The Wall Street Shift Despite his corporate success, he never left music