In the early 1970s, a band was born in New York that would forever change the face of rock music. New York Dolls wasn’t just another rock band; they ignited a musical revolution, creating a unique sound that laid the foundation for future movements like punk rock and glam metal. Along with bands like The Velvet Underground and The Stooges, they were true pioneers. Despite their short existence, their first two albums became legendary, and rock fans still revere their work. Find out more about their story on newyorkski.info.
The Beginning of New York Dolls
In 1967, high school friends Billy Murcia and Sylvain Mizrahi (who later became Sylvain Sylvain) joined a band called The Pox. The group didn’t last long, and the two friends initially gave up on their musical dreams. Instead, they started a clothing line called “Truth and Soul.” Sylvain also worked at a men’s boutique next to a doll repair shop called “New York Doll Hospital.” This name would later come in handy when they formed a new band in 1970.
Sylvain and Murcia decided to give music another shot. They invited Johnny Thunders to join the band. Surprisingly, Thunders had no musical experience but quickly mastered the guitar. The musicians chose the name “Dolls” and started rehearsing.
Shortly after, Sylvain went to London for a business trip and was temporarily replaced by guitarist Rick Rivets. They were also joined by Arthur Kane and David Johansen. The first official lineup was:
- David Johansen (vocals)
- Johnny Thunders (vocals and guitar)
- Rick Rivets (guitar)
- Arthur Kane (bass)
- Billy Murcia (drums)
The band started playing at clubs around New York. Their first show as New York Dolls was in late 1971. They adopted a glam rock image with heavy makeup, leather jumpsuits, and platform boots. Their sound, however, was pure rock, inspired by bands like the Rolling Stones and MC5. The music industry took notice, and the band soon got an invitation to open for Rod Stewart in London.
During that trip, a reporter for the London weekly Melody Maker became fascinated by them. His rave review led to the band signing their first record deal with Mercury Records. Tragically, it was on this same trip that the band suffered their first loss. The drummer, 21-year-old Billy Murcia, died from a drug overdose.
The Rise of New York Dolls: Songs, Style, and Albums
After returning to the US, the band began looking for a new drummer. They auditioned many candidates before settling on Jerry Nolan. Around this time, Sylvain also rejoined the group.
The band continued to play local venues. They fearlessly experimented with their look, choosing flashy clothes, high heels, and dramatic makeup. Combined with their audacious lyrics, this created their unique style and fueled their growing popularity. The press covered the band regularly, and their photos appeared in music magazines.
After recording a few early singles, New York Dolls released their first album in 1973. It was a dynamic, vibrant record that defied the norms of the time. Critics were impressed, but the album failed to achieve commercial success. Much later, the album was recognized as a classic and even included in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Later that year, Peter Jordan replaced Arthur Kane on bass. In 1974, they released their second album, Too Much Too Soon. The album was filled with glam rock anthems performed in their signature style. This time, however, critics were not as kind, and the album was another commercial flop. Drug use further exacerbated problems within the band, and the lack of profits only intensified their conflicts.
Breakup and Reunion
In 1975, New York Dolls’ touring schedule was drastically reduced. The internal problems between the members became more severe. The drug addiction of some musicians made it difficult to work. They brought in Malcolm McLaren as their new manager. He tried to keep them on top, working on their image and brand, but nothing helped. Soon after, Johnny Thunders and Jerry Nolan, who had been constantly clashing with David Johansen, left the group. They went on to form a new band called The Heartbreakers with Richard Hell. Both musicians passed away in the early 1990s—Thunders from a drug overdose and Nolan from meningitis.
After their departure, the band’s lineup was Sylvain Sylvain, Peter Jordan, Chris Robinson, and Tony Machin. They toured Japan, but still struggled to reach the next level of success. The concert in Kansas City on December 30, 1976, was their last.
However, the story of New York Dolls didn’t end there. A fan, Steven Morrissey, became the driving force behind a reunion. It happened at the Meltdown festival in London, with David Johansen, Arthur Kane, and Sylvain Sylvain getting back together. They were joined by guitarist Steven Conte and drummer Gary Powell. Sadly, just one month after the reunion, Arthur Kane passed away from cancer. Since then, Sami Yaffa has served as the band’s bassist and songwriter.
With this new lineup, the band began touring the US and internationally. They released new albums, and according to Steven Conte, this period of the band’s career saw them doing what they did best. Beyond rock, all the members loved many different musical genres. So their songs incorporated elements of dub reggae, soul, flamenco, blues, jazz, Latin, Gypsy, and African music, and even opera. Whatever sounds were in their heads, they turned into music. The reunited New York Dolls were not trying to repeat their original work, and fans loved it. The band successfully stayed on the global music scene for a few more decades.
The Final Curtain
New York Dolls officially announced their breakup in 2011. After that, the musicians never played together or recorded new songs again. In 2019, Sylvain Sylvain was diagnosed with cancer, and fundraising efforts were organized to help with his treatment. The famous guitarist passed away in 2021. In February 2025, David Johansen died from a brain tumor at the age of 75. Now, none of the original members of the New York Dolls are still alive, but their music lives on.
The band, which reminded older listeners of The Rolling Stones, had a short but powerful career that left an indelible mark on punk rock and the development of the genre. Malcolm McLaren, who briefly managed New York Dolls, would later go on to manage the famous band Sex Pistols, ensuring that the legacy started by the Dolls was continued and never forgotten.