New York Dolls in London, 1973. Photo: Michael Putland / Getty Images)
New York Dolls made their live UK premiere at London’s Biba’s Rainbow Room on the 26th of November, 1973. Formed in 1971 in New York City, the band influenced the style of new-wave and 1980s glam-metal bands.
New York Dolls, were one of the first bands of the early punk rock scenes, alongside the Velvet Underground and the Stooges. Despite the band’s lack of commercial success and the fact that their initial lineup fell apart quickly, their first two albums, New York Dolls (1973) and Too Any Too Soon (1974), are among the most popular records in rock ‘n’ roll history.
The band’s lineup at the time included vocalist David Johansen, guitarist Johnny Thunders, bassist Arthur Kane, guitarist and keyboardist Sylvain Sylvain, and drummer Jerry Nolan; the latter two had replaced Rick Rivets and Billy Murcia in 1972, respectively. In 1974, Nolan referred to the group as “the Dead-End Kids of today.”
According to the Encyclopedia of Popular Music (1995), the New York Dolls were “one of the most influential rock bands of the last 20 years”. Two of the earliest groups that they inspired were Kiss and Aerosmith. Hanoi Rocks’ music and aesthetic were much inspired by the New York Dolls.
Studio Albums:
New York Dolls (1973)
Too Much Too Soon (1974)
One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This (2006)
Cause I Sez So (2009)
Dancing Backward in High Heels (2011)
“Personality Crisis” is the lead track from the New York Dolls’ self-titled debut album. It was written by Dolls lead singer David Johansen and guitarist Johnny Thunders. An early demo version of it appears on the 1981 collection Lipstick Killers – The Mercer Street Sessions 1972.
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