New York Dolls: Photographs [Hardcover]

Bob Gruen (Photographer), Legs McNeil (Commentary), Morrissey (Afterword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008

“The Dolls told me: We know you as you really are, and you’re OK by us.”--Morrissey, from his Afterword

 

Formed in New York City in 1971, the New York Dolls prefigured Punk, New Wave, and Glam Metal Rock with their over-the-top style and their ingenious sound, setting the tone for many rock bands that would later come on the scene. Comprised of singer David Johansen, guitarists Johnny Thunders and Sylvain Sylvain, drummer Jerry Nolan, and bassist Arthur “Killer” Kane, the Dolls are the acknowledged influence of bands as diverse as Blondie, the Ramones, Motley Crue, Guns N Roses, Morrissey, the Smiths, and the Sex Pistols.

 

Legendary photographer Bob Gruen has compiled the first photography collection devoted to the New York Dolls and their iconic and unprecedented style.  Featuring over two hundred unforgettable images New York Dolls: Photographs by Bob Gruen celebrates one of the most important bands in music history.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* In 1977, when New York City was still a place where young artists could survive on nothing but their wits, a group of disparate nihilist geeks and renegades coalesced in the vacuum of the postpunk era to test the boundaries of rock music. It was only later that their collective projects would be ascribed under the umbrella of the No Wave “movement.” If the punk rock of the Ramones and Blondie was a reaction against corporate stadium rock and disco that took rock back to its roots, the No Wave movement was a total break from traditions and conventions that blurred the lines between music, noise, and performance art. Foremost among the progenitors of the angry, acerbic sound was the unlikely pair of Lydia Lunch and James Chance, both featured prominently in photographs and interviews. Four of the bands (the Contortions, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, Mars, and DNA) were documented on Brian Eno’s seminal No New York album; others (Blinding Headache, the Gynecologists, and Theoretical Girls) just faded into obscurity. Author Moore (of Sonic Youth) has gifted a treasure trove of rare photographs and oral history of a fleeting moment of New York underground that continues to reverberate 30 years later. --David Siegfried --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Bob Gruen is one of the most well-known rock-and-roll photographers of all time. For almost forty years his images have appeared worldwide in every form of print from postcards to posters to T-shirts and postage stamps. He is the author of John Lennon: The New York Years. He lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Abrams Image; First Edition edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810972719
• ISBN-13: 978-0810972711
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 10.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #692,173 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! A photographic archive of the legendary N.Y. Dolls, October 14, 2008

By 

A. Steele - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: New York Dolls: Photographs (Hardcover)

Flash back to 1973-74: I was an impressionable 12 year old rock fan, when I first saw the NEW YORK DOLLS on Don Kirschner's Rock Concert on TV. Immediately I realized that THIS was what Rock & Roll, and particularly Glam Rock was all about. I had just gotten my first electric guitar & was learning how to play. The Dolls' songs were catchy, easy to replicate, and most of all, COOL! Soon I was on my way to replicating the Dolls in any way I could. This book would have helped a lot in those days. There weren't a lot of photos of the Dolls in the magazines back in the day. This book is a treasure trove of rare & amazing shots by legendary rock photog Bob Gruen. I'd recommend it to anyone who has an interest in this legendary band. Much like my well worn vinyl, and CD's, and the awesome DVD Bob release a year ago, this is a "must have" for any fan of David JoHansen, Syl Sylvain, Arthur "Killer" Kane, Jerry Nolan, and Johnny Thunders.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New York Dolls-Gruen BOOK, December 23, 2008

By 

Greg 'Stackhouse' Prevost (Upstate, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: New York Dolls: Photographs (Hardcover)

I love these guys. This book is KILLER (as in 'Killer' Kane!)-Bob's photos are amazing-only a few appeared in CREEM, CIRCUS, ROCK SCENE etc...lotsa color shots, BUY THIS!!! 10 out of 10 stars!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Makes you hungry for more, January 2, 2010

By 

Bette (East Coast USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: New York Dolls: Photographs (Hardcover)

In general, I do not get too excited over band photography books. But I am giving this 3 stars for the Dolls' historical significance in the entertainment world. The book makes it obvious to anyone who was not previously aware that the NYD physically influenced many bands that came after them. Also becoming clearer is the doll concept - they really were living dolls, each of them dressed up, with their own aesthetic of the moment, hair and makeup specific to that "doll" alone.

I really cannot judge how complete the book is, but considering that they were together for such a brief period of time, and considering the many looks that are presented here, I will assume that it is at least somewhat complete in its representation of the bands' visual history.

Overall enjoyable, and you kind of don't want it to end! The reader wishes to turn the page and find a new look, and have a new "aha" moment eternally.

There are interviews with the only surviving original members - David Johansen and Sylvain. Quotes by band members and others such as Malcolm McLaren, Stiv Bators, Iggy Pop and The Ramones are peppered throughout the book. Morrissey has the Afterword.