The Plasmatics

The Band Members

Vocals

Wendy Orlean Williams

1978 - 1987
Other Instruments: Sax, Chainsaw, Sledgehammer.
Wendy Orlean Williams was born in Rochester, New York in 1949. In her earliest years, she was already on the road to becoming a performer, taking ballroom and tap-dancing lessons. One of her first television appearances was as a tap-dancer at the age of six years. In her early years, she lived in Webster, New York, a suburb of Rochester, and attended R. L. Thomas High until she dropped out of school sometime around 10th or 11th grade. Her father was a former journalist from Alabama [she severaly disliked her father] and her mother a rather cultured lady from New York. She had two older sisters. After dropping out of school, she went to Europe for a spell around 1972, bumming around, until returning to the states and settling in NYC. In 1978, she was working for Rod Swenson (aka Captain Kink) doing live sex shows in New York City. Rod recruited her to be the lead singer for his concept punk band, the Plasmatics. Wendy, besides being a noted performer, is a prominent vegetarian and health advocate. In recent years, she has chosen to shun the spotlight, enjoying her job at a natural foods co-op in a New England town.

Lead Guitar

Richie Stotts

1978 - 1983
Richard Eugene Stotts, the 6' 7" guitarist of the Plasmatics, was best noted for his outrageous costumes and excellent guitarwork. He was one of the original members, and played on all albums, excluding the "Maggots" anniversary album. After the breakup of the band, he worked on a solo career with his band, King Flux. He is currently pursuing an advanced degree in Geology at a large midwestern university.

Rhythm Guitar

Wes Beech

1979 - 1987
Wes Beech joined the Plasmatics soon after their inception, playing rhythm guitar. He was with the band through all of it's incarnations, and continued with Wendy when she began her solo career. Wes currently lives in Dearborn, Michigan, where he works at a local guitar store. Apparently he is still in a band, name unknown, which has at least three CDs which have been released in Germany. He is also a die-hard Johnny Thunders fan!

Michael Ray

1987
Other Instruments: Rhythm Guitar; Lead Guitar on "Maggots"
Michael Ray played guitar on the "Maggots" reunion anniversary album. He continued playing with Wendy on her solo album.

Bass Guitar

O. Chosei Funahara

1978 - 1980
Chosei was the original bassist for the Plasmatics. One of his most famous and memorable contributions to the band consists of their Japanese language lead-in to many songs - "Ichi Ni San Shi!". Chosei is believed to still reside in Manhattan.

Jean Beauvoir

1980 - 1981
Jean Beauvoir joined as bassist after the departure of Chosei. One of the most striking members of the band--with his signature white mohawk, and white suit--Jean played on the "New Hope" and "Beyond the Valley of 1984" albums and their associated singles. He went on to have a successful solo career.

Chris "Junior" Romanelli

1981 - 1987
Other Instruments: Keyboards on 1982's "Coup D'Etat"
Chris Romanelli joined after the departure of Jean. He was with the band during the "Coup d'Etat" and "Maggots" albums, and appeared in many of their television appearances. He is currently working in the Financial Services industry and will be graduating from Fordham University (NY) School of Law in 1997.

Drums

Stu Deutsch

1978 - 1980
Stu Deutsch was the original drummer for the Plasmatics. He still lives in the NYC area, where he and his wife just recently had a baby boy.

Neal Smith

1981
Neal Smith was the "Guest" drummer on 1981's "Beyond The Valley of 1984".

Tony Petri

1981
Tony Petri from Twisted Sister played for the band in 1981, but wasn't on any albums.

Joey Reese

1981
Joey Reese was the drummer on 1981's "Metal Priestess". Joey unfortunately passed away in August of 1994.

T.C. Tolliver

1982
T.C. Tolliver played on 1982's "Coup D'Etat", and continued playing with Wendy's solo band. Story goest that drummer T.C. Tolliver was in a band called Murder Ink post Wendy. The vocalist of that band, Joyce Lacovara, was a tattooed wild woman who sounded & acted much like Wendy O. Williams did. They had a few tapes out, of which one is titled "Music That Won't Wash Off."