The New York Dolls

The New York Dolls are an American rock band, formed in New York City in 1971. In 2004 the band reformed with three of their original members, two of whom, David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain, continue on today and have released two records of new material. The original bassist, Arthur Kane died shortly after their first reunion concert.

The band's protopunk sound prefigured much of what was to come in the punk rock era; their visual style influenced the look of many new wave and 1980s-era glam metal groups, and they began the local New York scene that later spawned the Ramones, Blondie, Television and Talking Heads.

Sylvain Sylvain and Billy Murcia, who went to junior high school and high school together, started playing in a band called “the Pox” in 1968. After the frontman quit, Murcia and Sylvain started a clothing business across the street from a doll repair shop called the New York Doll Hospital. Sylvain claimed that shop inspired the name for their future band. In 1970 they formed a band again and they recruited Thunders to join on bass, though Sylvain ended up teaching him to play guitar. They called themselves the "Dolls." When Sylvain left the band to spend a few months in London, Thunders and Murcia went their separate ways.

Thunders was eventually recruited by Kane and Rivets who had been playing together in the Bronx. At Thunders' suggestion, Murcia replaced the original drummer. Thunders played lead guitar and sang for the band known as Actress. An October 1971 rehearsal tape recorded by Rivets was released as Dawn of the Dolls. When Thunders decided he no longer wanted to be the front man, Johansen joined the band.

Initially, the group was composed of singer David Johansen, guitarists Johnny Thunders and Rick Rivets (who was replaced by Sylvain Sylvain after a few months), bass guitarist Arthur "Killer" Kane and drummer Billy Murcia. The original lineup's first performance was on Christmas Eve 1971 at a homeless shelter, the Endicott Hotel.

Discography

[edit] Studio albums

* 1973 - New York Dolls
* 1974 - Too Much Too Soon
* 2006 - One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This
* 2009 - Cause I Sez So

Demo albums

* 1981 - Lipstick Killers - The Mercer Street Sessions 1972
* 1992 - Seven Day Weekend

Live albums

* 1984 - Red Patent Leather
* 1993 - Paris Le Trash
* 1998 - Live In Concert, Paris 1974
* 2002 - From Paris With Love (L.U.V.)
* 2004 - Morrissey Presents: The Return Of New York Dolls Live From Royal Festival Hall
* 2008 - Live At the Filmore East

Singles

* 1973 - "Bad Girl" / "Subway Train"
* 1973 - "Jet Boy" / "Babylon" / "Who Are the Mystery Girls"
* 1973 - "Personality Crisis" / "Looking for a Kiss"
* 1973 - "Trash" / "Personality Crisis"
* 1974 - "Stranded in the Jungle" / "Don't Start Me Talkin"'
* 1974 - "(There's Gonna Be A) Showdown" / "Puss 'n' Boots"
* 2006 - "Gimme Luv and Turn On the Light"

Compilation albums

* 1977 - New York Dolls / Too Much Too Soon
* 1977 - Very Best of New York Dolls
* 1985 - Night of the Living Dolls
* 1985 - The Best of the New York Dolls
* 1987 - New York Dolls + Too Much Too Soon
* 1990 - Super Best Collection
* 1994 - Rock'n Roll
* 1998 - Hootchie Kootchie Dolls
* 1999 - The Glam Rock Hits
* 1999 - The Glamorous Life Live
* 2000 - Actress: Birth of The New York Dolls
* 2000 - Endless Party
* 2000 - New York Tapes 72/73
* 2002 - Great Big Kiss (reissue of Seven Day Weekend and Red Patent Leather)
* 2003 - Looking For A Kiss
* 2003 - Manhattan Mayhem
* 2003 - 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of New York Dolls
* 2004 - The Return of the New York Dolls - live from Royal Festival Hall 2004

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