How Jimmy Webb's heroin addiction of 20 years would have killed him had it not been for Trash and Vaudeville

Jimmy Webb, the former manager and buyer for the iconic store Trash and Vaudeville passed away aged 62 on April 14, 2020. 

He became the face of the brand and revolutionized punk rock style and started a counter-culture when mainstream fashion was at its peak and served as an inspiration since its inception to date.

In 2017, he opened his own boutique 'I Need More' on Orchard St. and went on to style some of the biggest stars of the industry including Iggy Pop, Slash and Debbie Harry. Some of his regular clients included established brands such as MTV, Rolling Stone and Vogue.

Although he eventually became a fashion legend, his journey to success and fame wasn’t an easy road. He came to New York at the age of 16 with nothing but a pillowcase full of clothes in 1975 driven by big dreams.

He began working at the age of 14 and paved his way to success through sheer hard work. The man who worked throughout the week, without a break described his job as a “drug” of his choice, which “never betrayed” him.

However, his addiction wasn’t always limited to this and a healthy one. Before starting his career in fashion, Webb worked at a gay establishment on the Upper West Side and dropped out of school. He was also a regular at CBGB, New York City Music club, through which he fell into heroin addiction and suffered from it for nearly 20 years.

Recollecting one of the worst phases of his life he said, “It got worse before it got better. They thought I was going to die. After rebuilding my body and spirit, I wanted to go back to the city I loved.”

In order to pursue his dreams, Webb cleaned up his act and re-worked on his on-the-street lifestyle, which convinced Ray Goodman to offer him a job at his store in 1999. Within a year, Webb became Goodman’s top employee and went to re-define the Trash and Vaudeville by creating a new wave of punk fashion. 

It was after the horrific experience that he wrote to the owner of Trash and Vaudeville seeking for a job, which eventually changed his life for good.

“I would not be alive or the man I am without Ray Goodman. I have the best life ever. He took a chance on me,” Webb thanked the owner of Trash and Vaudeville at the time. 

Fashion has evolved over the years, but Webb’s store which hasn’t lost its essence continues to attract punk lovers, thanks to its eccentricity and the creator’s passion.

Asked what has helped his style statement survive through the years, Webb said “it’s here because of truth and spirit, just like Iggy Pop giving it his best every night and going all the way until everything in your body is broken except your soul and rock ’n’ roll. We can move it to Mars and still live.”