Edith Grove wrote on May 27
th, 2017 at 8:24am:
The Dolls were fantabulous, ahead of their time but just couldn't get enough attention to make it to the big leagues.
Along with other reasons, I get the impression Johansen himself prevented the Doll's ascent to stardom.
The guy was just a little too full of himself, at least that's how I see it.
Set aside a couple of hours and watch this film:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0436629/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Thanks for your input Edith Grove. I have watched my dvd that your link provided and have read 2 Doll's biographies..and several music critic's reviews of the early Dolls.
I submit that, if you are at all inclined to do so, you might want to take a second look at the David Johansen factor in the NY Doll's brief but glorious moment of fame/notoriety In The Beginning, early to mid 1970's.
There were several reasons for the non-commercial success of the New York Dolls. I'm not an expert and was not there but from the reading I've done I'd list them, in no particular order as:
First, a simple statement from me, tauk: Edith Grove, you state that its your impression that David "prevented their ascent to stardom." I am interested in what causes you to think that. I welcome any specifics you can give me.
I've yet to read or hear of anything David J did to undermine the success of the New York Dolls in the 1970's. If he did do something intentionally or unintentionally to undermine the Dolls that I am not aware of please let me know.
I want to understand what happened to cause the quick decline of what I consider to be one of the best rock bands of their genre. Best debut album to fail that I know of.
!) A Royal Screwing by Mercury Records, NYC office.They were under contract from 1973 to 1974.. They signed away all royalties from any sale of their 2 Mercury album recordings forever, and 100% completely. They also signed away all publishing rights.
This caused lack of morale and severe lack of money to live on. This was conducive to drinking & drugging (not that I'm stupid enough to not attribute personal responsibility for their own actions...but the fact remains, the Dolls were being productive, were not shooting themselves in the foot....yet.
2) Inept management and lack of money forced them into ridiculously touring. Brutal bus scheduling, criss-crossing illogically geographically stupid==bone weary tiredness resulted.
This was conducive for drinking and drug use to increase.
This was not conductive to their needing to compose new songs for their 2nd album. Which hurt their 2nd album.
3) Lack of radio airplay over most of the USA for their 1st album significantly contributed to the low album sales. This debut album, just like their local performances, was highly critically praised in their hometown of NYC. (Also, London always loved the Dolls ahead of the US).
HOWEVER, NYC and CA were just about the only radio stations that would risk playing the Doll's singles. This was due to the general Dolls' reputation for being "transvestites/cross-dressers".
The front of the album is a photo of them in various types of costumes, some of which might be taken as female clothing (but not all of it if you really take notice of the photo). DJ's were afraid their sponsors would balk at any Dolls radio airplay. Therefore, album sales never really stood much of a chance, outside of NYC/LA/SF.
4) Also Mercury Records never invested much money in publicity or studio rehearing/recording/producing time. Mercury Records never was really behind the Dolls. No one with money was ever really investing/supporting the Dolls. Again, fear or dislike of the "transvestite" street/drug users image prevailed.
5) The emotional & psychological characteristics of most, not perhaps all, but some of the Dolls members combined with the above mentioned stresses were conducive to self-destructive, career destructive behaviors including but not limited to substance abuse.
O.K. yes, I admit it, I am in I'm in "L-U-V" (that's a plagiarism from the Doll's & an early 60's DJ favorite girl group) but I swear I am being objective (Ya ya , I know...Ha!) But seriously, I really am being objective...
In my humble opinion I'd say David was the primary reason for what success they can claim from the early to mid 70's. Was David rather full of himself back then in his early 20's? Sure he was. David's stage demeanor, looks, and lyrics contributed to the charisma he projected which was often acknowledged as a huge factor of the Doll's fame.
As the band's primary lyrics writer=with lyrics that were unique and striking in their character-story driven depictions of teenager's angst and were emotionally expressive in a manner refreshingly distinctive from other bands at the time, and as lead singer with a talented voice and theatrical, demonstrative stage demeanor and frontman who handled the media's interviews, he shaped the band's message and appeal.
And then, of course there was His Looks Factor which certainly didn't hurt their popular image. But I want to impress you with my Objective Reasoning, not as a dumb empty headed whatever so I won't focus on that.
Yes, David, while sitting, did fall over drunk, face forward onto the conference table during his first big meeting with Mercury Records. But no one actually paid it any attention-Mercury Records wasn't listening to David or any Doll anyway.
Yes, David was drunk at a press conference I believe it was in Paris, at a hotel. But he was the only Doll to even show up & yes, he provided humorous retorts to the interviewers questions.
Unfortunately, the long term opiate addiction of Jerry Nolan (d. 1992) and Johnny Thunders (d. 1991) was a huge factor in David calling it quits as a band in 1975. Arthur was a very heavy drinker. Yes David drank heavily then and was not a total stranger to some narcotic use but he and the one other "Doll", Sylvian Sylvain, were much higher functioning persons in terms of professionalism & simply keeping the band afloat.
Common sense had to finally prevail in the face of Jerry, Johnny & Arthur's lack of ability to perform live. And Live performances were what they had to subsist on by 1975 . They had no record company contract at all by then coupled with the poor album sales of their 2 albums. By 1975 the Live performances were basically bar band level & was but their only source of income.
So came the inevitable night in a Tampa, FL trailer park, in the trailer kitchen of Jerry's mother, in near 100 degree heat and high, high humidity, with zero air conditioning (this being their only financial choice for accommodations since they were flat broke). Jerry & Johnny were so physically addicted to heroin (cheaper than pot in NYC then) that they would barely stay put in one spot long enough to show up for any of their pitiful but financially necessary, gigs. Jerry & Johnny were constantly wanting to go back to NYC to obtain their drug or would be otherwise out looking to score in whatever city/state they were in.
So David, imo, had no real choice but to finally acknowledge and pronounce the death of the band. Please don't shoot the Messenger.
Post Dolls from 1975-2004's reunion David & Syl did work together on & off. But yes, like the video on Arthur Kane points out, David did appear to turn down any requests for a Dolls reunion..that is until 2004.
From what others say about David's personality and character now...all I read/hear are positive things. He seems regarded highly by others and has matured a lot.
Selfish Diva-ness has given way to an emotionally generous grown up gentleman who still has boyish charm, humor, talent and charisma to spare. IMO of course.
I think Buster is going to perform fun, talent filled shows next week.
A Blast From the Past: Song "Looking For A Kiss" from 1973 debut album performed on the OGWT 1973
https://youtu.be/GvmvMFXWzc8From the 3rd of 3 2000's Dolls album (2011) "Dancing Backward In High Heels"== "Kids Like You"
https://youtu.be/aYl6TF3MESoFrom 2006 "album titled "Someday It Will Please Us To Remember Even This" song "I Aint Got Nothing"
https://youtu.be/_98WRw06f6I