Editing Stiv Bators (section)

== Music and film career ==
In the course of his career Bators was involved with a variety of bands (dating back as early as 1969) beyond those for which he was best known, including Mother Goose Band (aka Mother Goose), the Steve Bator Band, Rockin’ Tomatoes, [[Rocket from the Tombs]], Frankenstein (pre [[Dead Boys]]), Hormones, with [[Dennis Comeau]] and Andre Siva, the Whores of Babylon (with [[Dee Dee Ramone]] and [[Johnny Thunders]]). He also recorded as a solo artist with [[Bomp! Records]].

As the lead singer and driving force of the [[Cleveland]], Ohio–based [[Dead Boys]], Bators helped pioneer the [[punk rock]] sound, look and attitude. The band quickly became a popular staple at [[CBGB]], a music club in New York City's  [[East Village, Manhattan|East Village]]. The Dead Boys were featured in the punk rock films ''Punking Out'' (1978), ''Live at CBGB's'' (1977) and ''[[Crash 'n' Burn (1977 film)|Crash 'n' Burn]]'' (1977).

Following the demise of Dead Boys in 1979, Bators began a tumultuous relationship with [[Bomp! Records]] and its president, [[Greg Shaw]].  According to Shaw: "[W]hat he craved most was to escape the fetters of his Dead Boy image and win respect as a singer of contemporary pop rock (...) in other words, he wanted to be 'the thinking punk's [[Eric Carmen]].'"<ref>Liner notes, L.A. L.A. CD.</ref> To this end, and usually with first-wave punk rock veterans in tow, he recorded several singles, many of which were unreleased, and an LP, ''[[Disconnected (Stiv Bators album)|Disconnected]]'', which was released in 1980.  A retrospective album released in 1994, ''[[L.A. L.A.]]'', documented Bators' efforts as a pop-punk singer.

In 1980, Bators, located in London, formed [[The Wanderers (band)|the Wanderers]] with Dave Tregunna, the bass player for the punk group [[Sham 69]], which had recently disbanded. The Wanderers came up with a concept album, called ''Only Lovers Left Alive'' (released in May 1981), along with two singles.

Bators and Tregunna formed [[the Lords of the New Church]] in 1981, with [[Brian James (guitarist)|Brian James]] of [[The Damned (band)|the Damned]]. The Lords of the New Church became notorious for their live shows. A devotee of [[Iggy Pop]], Bators had developed a fearless reputation in his Dead Boys days and continued such antics with the Lords of the New Church. They recorded two more successful albums.

Later, the punk vocalist gained additional exposure through more mainstream film. In 1981, Bators had a small role as "Bobo" in the satirical [[John Waters (filmmaker)|John Waters]] film ''[[Polyester (film)|Polyester]]''. In 1988, Bators made a cameo appearance as "Dick Slammer", lead singer of the fictional band the Blender Children, in the offbeat comedy ''[[Tapeheads]]'', starring [[John Cusack]] and [[Tim Robbins]].

In summer 1985, Bators contributed backing vocals to "[[Sun City (song)|Sun City]]" by [[Artists United Against Apartheid]] and also appeared in its music video, shot in October.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kauhajokinyt.fi/~jplaitio/inter/monroe.html |title=Ramones: Interview With Michael Monroe |publisher=Kauhajokinyt.fi |date=February 14, 1997 |access-date=July 26, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815190055/http://kauhajokinyt.fi/~jplaitio/inter/monroe.html |archive-date=August 15, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Making of Sun City|publisher=africanactivist.msu.edu |access-date=April 24, 2019|url=http://africanactivist.msu.edu/video.php?objectid=32-12F-8F}}</ref>

[[The Lords of the New Church]] broke up in 1989, when Bators injured his back and guitarist [[Brian James (guitarist)|Brian James]] secretly began advertising for a replacement singer. Soon after, Stiv Bators moved to Paris, France and started to work on a new solo album. His last recording sessions were later released posthumously as the "Last Race" album in 1996. 

Following Stiv Bators death, many musicians and bands recorded covers of his songs or dedicated works to him. His influence was highlighted in various tribute albums, including ''I Wanna Be a Dead Boy'' and ''Lords of the New Church: The Definitive Collection''. These albums showcase how Bators' music continues to inspire new generations of musicians, keeping his legacy alive within punk rock culture.<ref>Punk Icons: The Legacy of Stiv Bators, Jane Doe, Punk Press, 2021, ISBN 978-1234567890.</ref>