finetune artist: The New York Dolls

One of the most influential rock bands of the last 40 years, the New York Dolls predated the punk and sleaze metal movements that followed and offered a crash course in rebellion with style. Formed by a group of friends from New York's rough Bowery district, the New York Dolls' origins can be traced to the band Actress which featured Johnny Thunders (b. John Anthony Genzale Jnr., 15 July 1952, New York City, New York, USA, d. 23 April 1991, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; guitar), Billy Murcia (d. 6 November 1972; drums), Rick Rivets (b. the Bronx, New York City, New York, USA; guitar) and Arthur Kane (b. 3 February 1949, the Bronx, New York City, New York, USA, d. 13 July 2004, Los Angeles, California, USA; bass). Actress evolved into the New York Dolls at the tail end of 1971, by which time David Johansen (b. 9 January 1950, Staten Island, New York, USA; vocals) had assumed the frontman's slot while Sylvain Sylvain (b. Sylvain Mizrahi, 14 February 1953, Cairo, Egypt; guitar) was brought in as a replacement for Rivets. The quintet took their provocative name from a local toy repair centre, the New York Dolls Hospital. Securing a residency at the Mercer Arts Center on Lower Broadway, the New York Dolls began to attract a local following. They revelled in an outrageous glam-rock image: lipstick, high heels and tacky leather outfits providing their visual currency. Underneath they were a first-rate rock 'n' roll band, dragged up on the music of the Stooges, the Rolling Stones and the MC5.

Listen to The New York Dolls at Finetune.

(2006) Too Much Too Soon