THE NEW YORK DOLLS IN 2012 - THE ARGUMENT

Last year, after the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, I posted a list of artists who I thought should be inducted in 2011.  I'm glad that two of them - Alice Cooper and Tom Waits were both inducted this year. My number one choice for the Rock Hall in 2012 is KISS.


Another band I think should be inducted is a band who surely influenced KISS: The New York Dolls. 


I was a latecomer to this band for sure. One reason: they broke up in 1975, didn't really have any radio hits, and frontman David Johansen got more popular than the Dolls were as a solo artist, first under his own name, and then as Buster Poindexter. Plus, their look reminded me of a lot of hair metal bands, which has never been my thing. 


When did I change my mind?  I can give you a date. August 14, 2004.  That's when a reunited version of the Dolls (albeit, only featuring two original members, Johansen and guitarist Sylvain Sylvain, the rest of the members had passed away by then) performed at Little Steven's Underground Garage Rock Festival at Randall's Island in New York City.  It was the Dolls' first New York performance in a few decades. I was lucky enough to be on the stage (I was covering the event for VH1), and watching Johansen strut onto the stage... it was just cool. The band kicked ass.  I got their self-titled debut from 1973 (really, the only one that you need to have, it's a classic) and became a fan. 


The Dolls' influence is really widespread.  Former NY Dolls fan club president Morrissey was the guy behind their reunion. He curated the UK festival Meltdown, and convinced Johansen, Sylvain and Arthur "Killer" Kane to reunite (Kane passed away soon after, sadly). But the band for the tour was, at one point, supposed to include Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue and former Guns N Roses guitarist Izzy Stradlin'. That kind of tells the story: what other band has influenced The Smiths and The Crue? Other bands influenced by The Dolls include The Clash, The Ramones and R.E.M.


It would have been nice if The Dolls got in this year, their new album (their third since reuniting) Dancing Backward In High Heels, came out today (the day after the induction ceremony). Later this year, they will be opening a tour for the Crue and Poison. On one hand, it's annoying that they have to open for anyone, much less those guys, on the other hand, the Crue and Poison don't need an opening act, so it's cool to give The Dolls the gigs.  I hope some of the fans care. And here's hoping that the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer voters wise up to this very influential band. 

MORRISSEY RETURNS TO THE STAGE

After collapsing one song into a concert earlier this week, last night Morrissey performed a full show last night at the Royal Albert Hall, according to the BBC. Glad to hear he's feeling better. He's scheduled to be on the road for the rest of the year, including dates here in the U.S.

GET WELL SOON, MORRISSEY

How do you wish a guy like Morrissey well? I don't know, but I'd heard that he collapsed on stage after playing just one song ("This Charming Man") on Saturday night at a concert in England. Morrissey ain't the guy who is gonna be tweeting about this stuff (he would probably shoot anyone that suggested he even look at a "tweet"), but at least his website reports that he is under doctor's orders to rest, and that ticketholders for the show, and another show afterwards hold on to their tickets, as no decisions have been made about the concerts. Anyway, get well soon, Morrissey!

MORRISSEY - METAL ICON?

The Quietus has an interesting article about Morrissey's influence on loud guitar rock (in part, inspired by his current album, Years of Refusal, produced by the late Jerry Finn who worked on albums by Green Day and blink-182). It's really about how, in the '80s, the hard rock camp and Morrissey's camp were totally seperate. The article mentions how Moz is a huge influence on My Chemical Romance and other emo bands. It actually doesn't mention that former Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo is a huge fan and that Anthrax covered The Smiths' "London." Morrissey was behind the reunion of The New York Dolls a few years ago - before he joined The Smiths, he actually ran a Dolls fan club! Anyway, at one point, Dolls frontman David Johansen was talking to former Guns N Roses guitarist Izzy Stradlin' and Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue about playing with the reactivated Dolls. I wonder how that would have sat with Mozzer? But it is interesting how people are influenced by what are considered to be opposing sources. I know that Ryan Adams is a huge metal fan and a huge Smiths fan.

TOMORROW ON OUTQ: I'M BRINGIN' THE PARTY

I'm tired from the Ben Harper show I just got home from, so, I'll keep this short. Tomorrow I'll be talking about this interesting DJ combo called N.A.S.A. -- their album has an insane guest list that includes David Byrne, Chuck D, KRS-One, Metold Man, Tom Waits, M.I.A. , Kanye West, George Clinton and John Frusciante, among others. N.A.S.A.'s album, The Spirit of Apollo, reminds me of Mark Ronson's 2007 album, Version, so I'll be talking about that also. And finally, even mopey Morrissey is in a upbeat (for him) mood on his new album, Years of Refusal, so I'll be talking about that. I also have Ben Harper's new single "Shimmer and Shine." And hopefully I'll have a minute to talk about the tour of the summer: Nine Inch Nails with Jane's Addiction.