'We did everything wrong!' The tragedy of the hit-free band behind Blondie’s Hanging on the Telephone
They gigged wildly, helped other groups to fame and their songwriting brilliance gave Blondie a signature track. Could a deathbed wish now see the Nerves finally making it big?
TL;DR
- The Nerves formed in 1974 and consisted of Jack Lee, Peter Case, and Paul Collins.
- They were known for their melodic songs and dedication, rehearsing up to 16 hours a day.
- The band toured nationwide, sharing stages with bands like Devo and the Ramones.
- Their song 'Hanging on the Telephone' was famously covered by Blondie, becoming a hit but obscuring The Nerves' own recognition.
- Despite their efforts, The Nerves never achieved mainstream success.
- Fifty years later, an anthology of their unreleased music is being compiled by Jack Lee's daughter, Cynthia Cook, fulfilling a deathbed wish.
- Cook is working to release approximately three albums worth of material from various decades.
- The surviving members, Peter Case and Paul Collins, express a philosophical view on their career, acknowledging both their missteps and their enduring music.