New York Dolls | Artist
The New York Dolls were an American glam punk-rock band formed 1971 in New York City by David Johansen (vocals), Johnny Thunders (guitar), Arthur Kane (bass), Sylvain Sylvain (Guitar) and Jerry Nolan (drums). Along with the Velvet Underground and the Stooges, the 'Dolls were one of the first proto-punk rock bands. The original line-up's first performance was on Christmas Eve 1971 at a homeless shelter, the Endicott Hotel. After getting a manager and attracting some music industry interest, the New York Dolls got a break when Rod Stewart invited them to open for him at a London concert. Once back in New York, the Dolls auditioned drummers, including Marc Bell (who was to go on to play with Richard Hell, then with the Ramones under the stage name "Marky Ramone"), Peter Criscuola (better known as Peter Criss, the original drummer of Kiss), and Jerry Nolan, a friend of the band. They selected Nolan, and after US Mercury Records signed them, they began sessions for their debut album. After recording their excellent first two studio albums, the first produced by Todd Rundgren and the second by Shadow Morton, they split up. Thunders and Nolan formed The Heartbreakers with bassist Richard Hell, and Johansen released an excellent solo album in 1978. Thunders died from a drugs overdose in 2001. The band got together for a reunion in 2004 thanks to the involvement of long time fan Morrisey. They then cut a third studio album and released several live albums. New York Dolls (1973) and Too Much Too Soon (1974) are classic albums. Also recommended are the live albums Live From the Royal Festival Hall (2004), and Live at the Fillmore East: December 28 & 29, 2007 (2008), plus the compilations Rock 'n Roll' (1994) and Private World (Original Studio Sessions) (2006). Throughout their career the 'Dolls polarised audiences with their in-you-face trashy image and campy stage personas. America's rock audience's reaction to the Dolls was mixed. In a Creem magazine poll, they were elected both best and worst new group of 1973. The Dolls also toured Europe, and, while appearing on UK television, host Bob Harris of the BBC's Old Grey Whistle Test derided the group as "mock rock", comparing them unfavorably to the Rolling Stones. However there were many more who appreciated their raw sound, such as John Peel, who wrote of them: "I can understand why the Dolls were originally accused of being nothing more than Rolling Stones' wannabes. You can hear the swagger and sway throughout. But, even if that's all this album was it would still be excellent – luckily it's so much more. This is glam decadence and punk belligerence. This is platform boots, lip gloss and androgynous posturing coupled with a revolutionary screw you attitude that scorches the eardrums – the debauched, sleazy, raunch fairly oozes from the speakers. But, more than anything, this is just great rock 'n' roll". Thank you John. The band's name came about when Sylvain took a job at A Different Drummer, a men's clothing boutique across the street from the New York Doll Hospital, a doll repair shop. Sylvain said that the shop inspired the name for their future band. Frontman David Johansen, who also worked under the pseudonym Buster Poindexter, passed away on the 28th of February 2025 at the age of 75.
Artist Website: wikipedia/New_York_Dolls
Featured Albums: New York Dolls
Related Artists: David Johansen, Johnny Thunders, The Heartbreakers, Sylvain Sylvain
