2008 Woodie Awards
Before Punk Was Ever Pop Music The New York Dolls Were Making History
Angela Gonzalez
Issue date: 11/4/05 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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In this day and age, the music scene is dominated with fresh-faced youngsters where nothing more than model looks can propel you to the top of the charts. But before the Good Charlottes and Green Days, the New York Dolls were there, giving punk music a name before it even had one.
Last night, they came to the House of Blues to prove that they can still do what they did so well back in the 70's: rock.
Back in 1971, the New York Dolls formed in the bowels of New York City. They played regularly at the cornerstone for American punk rock, down on Bleeker and Bowery, CBGB's, in the midst of such legends as Blondie, The Ramones, and The Patti Smith Group.
The Dolls original drummer Billy Murcia died in 1972, while they were on tour in England, and was replaced by Jerry Nolan. As a result of the common ailments of a music career: drugs, alcohol, and inflated egos, the band broke up in 1977 to pursue other things.
Lead singer David Johansen and guitarists Syl Sylvain and Johnny Thunders, along with Jerry Nolan, all went on to spawn solo careers. Thunders and Nolan formed the Heartbreakers and found success, but both died tragically in 1991.
With only two of the original members, the New York Dolls took the House of Blues by storm and provided classic punk rock to a motley crowd of young and old. All glammed up, Johansen pranced about the stage with a Mick Jagger-esque swagger.
They certainly resembled the Rolling Stones as they fired out such classics as "Jet Boy", "Trash", "Personality Crisis" and "Puss 'N' Boots." Current guitarist Steve Conte injected some screeching solos from two of the most beautiful guitars I've ever seen: both Gibson Les Paul Customs.
Considering the elderly status of the Dolls, I didn't quite expect such a high energy show. There were teenagers alongside adults who had dusted off their studded jean jackets and hip-hugger jeans, and all were pumping their fists in the air and dancing along to the music. The crowd even broke out into some mild moshing at one point during "Jet Boy." After the band exited, they came back out for an encore and played the crowd favorite "Human Being." Then the entire band took a bow before exiting for the last time.
Overall it was a glamorous affair. Although the days of the CBGB era are numbered, for one evening the New York Dolls kept the punk rock glam alive.
Last night, they came to the House of Blues to prove that they can still do what they did so well back in the 70's: rock.
Back in 1971, the New York Dolls formed in the bowels of New York City. They played regularly at the cornerstone for American punk rock, down on Bleeker and Bowery, CBGB's, in the midst of such legends as Blondie, The Ramones, and The Patti Smith Group.
The Dolls original drummer Billy Murcia died in 1972, while they were on tour in England, and was replaced by Jerry Nolan. As a result of the common ailments of a music career: drugs, alcohol, and inflated egos, the band broke up in 1977 to pursue other things.
Lead singer David Johansen and guitarists Syl Sylvain and Johnny Thunders, along with Jerry Nolan, all went on to spawn solo careers. Thunders and Nolan formed the Heartbreakers and found success, but both died tragically in 1991.
With only two of the original members, the New York Dolls took the House of Blues by storm and provided classic punk rock to a motley crowd of young and old. All glammed up, Johansen pranced about the stage with a Mick Jagger-esque swagger.
They certainly resembled the Rolling Stones as they fired out such classics as "Jet Boy", "Trash", "Personality Crisis" and "Puss 'N' Boots." Current guitarist Steve Conte injected some screeching solos from two of the most beautiful guitars I've ever seen: both Gibson Les Paul Customs.
Considering the elderly status of the Dolls, I didn't quite expect such a high energy show. There were teenagers alongside adults who had dusted off their studded jean jackets and hip-hugger jeans, and all were pumping their fists in the air and dancing along to the music. The crowd even broke out into some mild moshing at one point during "Jet Boy." After the band exited, they came back out for an encore and played the crowd favorite "Human Being." Then the entire band took a bow before exiting for the last time.
Overall it was a glamorous affair. Although the days of the CBGB era are numbered, for one evening the New York Dolls kept the punk rock glam alive.