The Legend of the Lipstick Killers
Published March 23, 2003
The Dolls were forced back to the club circuit: a step down and a tough pill to swallow. The press backlash, personal excesses, management differences, coupled with two years in the "eye of the rock hurricane" had taken its toll. Contrary to popular belief Mercury wanted another album, but only if the Dolls would clean up, write new material and understand this was not just a rock 'n' roll party. It was business.
Enter Malcolm McLaren. He convinced what was left of the Dolls that he could resurrect them ... and almost did. The new Dolls were unveiled to rave reviews and looked again like they might happen as so many of us had believed they would. I was rooting for them as a believer, and because they were still under contract to me.
Then came the Florida incident (Johnny and Jerry couldn't score drugs in Florida and returned to NYC). Malcolm was forced to conclude, as I had before him, that the Dolls were unmanageable. The Dolls didn't survive but Malcom did, returning to London loaded with valuable information and insights to create the Sex Pistols: Dolls attitude, Ramones riff, Richard Hell's look. As it turned out, the world wasn't ready for the Sex Pistols either.
I broke up with my wife. David did a few solo albums, created alter ego Buster Poindexter, had a big hit with "Hot, Hot, Hot," married noted photographer Kate Simon, and acted in some major movies. These days, from what I hear, he spends much of his time painting in watercolor. He recently released a new solo album that has been well received. Sylvain lives with his teenage son live in Atlanta, where he produces new artists and records with his band. Arthur inherited family money, moved to California and no longer drinks. Johnny and Jerry formed the Heartbreakers and toured the world ... but continued drugging until it killed both of them within months of each other. Leber made millions with Aerosmith. I started Red Star Records and produced Suicide, the Fleshtones, Real Kids, and worked with Blondie and the Ramones. I'm still here.
I remember meeting Johnny in London years after the Dolls broke up. We talked into the wee hours of the morning about our unique adventure. He was a tremendously likable person, which comes as a surprise to people who couldn't see past his outrageous exterior. He was a real musician at heart in the end. Everyone blamed everyone else for the Dolls' demise. The New York Times wrote a touching obituary. Leber and I attacked each other for years and finally buried the hatchet. The general consensus was they were ahead of their time: too much, too soon.
I see it like this: the Dolls reflected their generation's frustrations and were a source of information and inspiration for many kids who were marginalized by society and felt locked out. Despite scornful criticism the Dolls still managed to laugh at themselves. In their wake came the Ramones, Blondie, Sex Pistols, the Clash, Motley Crue, Guns 'n' Roses and scores of others who were amused, informed and inspired by the Lipstick Killers, despite or because of their human frailties.
- The Legend of the Lipstick Killers
- Published: March 23, 2003
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Alternative Rock, Music: Classic Rock and Oldies, Music: Hard Rock, Music: News, Music: Rock
- Writer: Marty Thau
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Comments on this articleComments
Great first hand account. I'm a little bit peeved that this Millenial bargain disc has been released when we haven't gotten bells-and-whistles reissues of the two studio discs, but any Dolls is better than no Dolls. . .
David Jo has released two post-Buster discs of blues songs with The Harry Smiths. Both releases are worth checking out, though they're not all that easy to find.
I remember seeing Johnny Thunders in one of his last tours at a club in Chicago: the guy looked like a wreck, but, damn, he still could play . . .
BILL SHERMAN:
You hit it squarely on the head when you questioned why this mid-priced Dolls CD has been released instead of an all-out 'bells 'n whistles' reissue of the two studio discs, so I'll let you in on a little secret ... it's because Universal
Records (the new owners of the Dolls catalog) do not know enough about the band yet to go that far. Hopefully this Millenial disc will open their eyes and get them excited. Anyone who appreciates good rock 'n roll should know that the Dolls music will appeal to new generations for years to come. What can I say -- some things take a little longer than others. Be patient -- something blowing in the wind.
The new Millennium collection is fairly insipid, given the existence of the "Rock and Roll" single-CD compilation of both studio albums (minus "Pills" and "Showdown") plus bonus tracks that you can often find in cut-out bins for $5 or less.
And Amazon has both of Johansen's albums with the Harry Smiths...a remarkable new direction that conclusively demonstrates why the Dolls were the greatest white-blues band America ever produced, not to mention punk, glam and hairspray (would 80s metal have existed without them?).
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000066RLO/qid=1048588555
Also, don't miss "From Paris with L-U-V," a bootleg-quality live document from 1974, and the "Hard Day's Night" collection of 1973 demos that showcases the Dolls without the wolf-whistle production frippery of Shadow Morton or Todd Rundgren's "get the glitter out of your asses and play!" malevolence.
Thanks for sharing, Marty. When can we expect the movie?
Rock 'n' Roll is a decent collection. But both studio albums are so set in my mind that the re-sequencing is distancing (as are the shifts in production sound). Plus I really miss the remake of Archie Bell's "Showdown." Still, the extra cuts ("Courageous Cat Theme," "Don't Mess With Cupid," "Lone Star Queen") guarantees that it'll stay in my collection.
In general, I've found these Millennium discs to be weak tea for fans: a good way for newcomers to test drive an unfamiliar group, though.
CHRIS CLARK:
A&R guys should not be older than 17. I like your website.
We have just opened the Official New York Dolls site at:
www.new-york-dolls.com
We hope that you will check it out and leave us your feedback.
I would be interested in getting in touch with Marty Thau. If anyone on this blogboard has an email address I would appreciate it if you could inform him of our official Dolls site
www.new-york-dolls.com
Or ask him to email me at:
admin@new-york-dolls.com
Kind Regards,
Will
MARTY THAU, you rock! What a great article -- sorry I only just got around to reading it two years after you wrote it.
I bought the first Dolls disc this weekend, saw your name on the credits, remembered you from this site, searched your past articles and came up with this thoroughly complete first hand account. Thanks so much for writing it. It's a valuable piece of rock history, and I can only hope you've got a book in the works.
Wow - that's a phenomenal article, must now sample the Dolls - legit - just for you:)
A book would be a great idea
thanks for checking it out Aaman - Marty rules!
Great Article!!!
Can you please confirm or deny Blackie Lawless' claim that he was once a member of the Dolls?
maybe the time is right for a book, Marty
Back in 1978 when puck was hitting Toronto there were whispers about these guys from New York. The Dolls, and Johnny Thunders were all they could talk about.
It was a wild ride back then, music felt alive for the first time in years. Like all those things it got co-opted fast, by 1983 it was new wave, and then it was just the same old crap.
Old joke " what's the difference between a punk and a new waver. A new waver wears a pin of their favourite band on their jacket. A Punk wears a pin through her cheek.
Oi, Oi, Oi!!!!
gypsyman
Marty, just came across your blog. Way back when I was part of the gang of teenagers who used to hand out all the fliers for the Dolls' gigs in exchange for getting on the guest list. Also tried to start the Dolls fan club without Mercury support, and was sitting in Leber Krebs office when Laura Kaufman told us the Dolls had broken up. I wound up adopting Johnny's two Labrador Retrievers prior to their first US tour. Spent many a night at the clubs watching the Dolls. Remember you well, standing in the back of the club, with your leather jacket. Looking like the Hall Monitor with a gang of juvenile delinquents. The best collection you put out, the one that really represented the Dolls' music, is "Hard Night's Day." Only sorry that "Endless Party" wasn't included on it. It was always my favorite tune. Would love to hear a digitally remastered & reproduced Dolls catalog of both studio albums. Anyway, you did a great job with the Dolls. You made Rock & Roll History! Thanks for the great times, Kathy
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The New York Dolls were truly seminal. This an important collection, and, on Marty Thau's part, an important recollection.