Too Much, Too Soon: The Makeup & Breakup of the New York Dolls [Paperback]

Nina Antonia (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1998

First-ever biography of the massively influential band of the early Seventies, managed by Malcolm McLaren.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Omnibus Pr (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0711967776
• ISBN-13: 978-0711967779
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,365,831 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Superficially enjoyable..., January 20, 2001

By 

L. Alper (Englewood CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Too Much, Too Soon: The Makeup & Breakup of the New York Dolls (Paperback)

It is surprising that the only author who has devoted an entire book to the very influential New York Dolls is a rather obscure writer named Nina Antonia. While they were together, many of the more important rock journalists were fervent supporters of the band, & after their demise many others took up the banner.

Unfortunately, "Too Much Too Soon" is not enough too late, & leaves many questions unanswered. While I enjoyed the writing style, Ms. Antonia often simply states a fact or an opinion without any deeper investigation. The most glaring instance of this is her coverage of the original drummer's (Billy Murcia) death. There is quite a bit of mystery surrounding the circumstances of his reputed OD in London, yet the author of "Too Much Too Soon" makes no attempt to do any digging whatsoever. She simply states that there are many unanswered questions, & switches subjects. Other instances of these type of lapses include questions concerning the management contract the Dolls had with Leber/Krebs/Thau, the current whereabouts of the Dolls' valet "Frenchy", & her unsupported allegations of a record industry "conspiracy" to keep the New York Dolls from becoming a success.

In addition to factual lapses, there seemed to be gaping holes as to the survivors Ms. Antonia interviewed for her book. The families of the musicians are almost entirely unrepresented, the women who supported the band are voiceless (except for Sable Starr & Cyrindra Foxe who appear much less than their importance warrants) & although Marty Thau gives his version of events, the other managers Leber & Krebs are never directly quoted, which leads to a rather lopsided perspective. Typos & mis-spellings are rampant all thru the book, leading the reader to wonder if any proof-reading was done prior to publishing.

There are some excellent photos, altho here again there seem to be some missing in action. In the text, the author describes a number of photos that appear nowhere in the book. Since they were taken by photographers represented by other examples, a failure to obtain the rights to them does not seem to be the cause of their non-appearance.

If you are interested in the New York Dolls as well as their era & descendants, I recommend you read the uniformly excellent "Please Kill Me" which deals in much more detail with both this band as well as the later exploits of Johnny Thunders & Jerry Nolan. "Too Much Too Soon" is a fun read, but it is too superficial to satisfy the serious fan of the decade that produced punk rock.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exposes the tragedy of the endless party that was the Dolls, March 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Too Much, Too Soon: The Makeup & Breakup of the New York Dolls (Paperback)

This is a both an important rock&roll cultural document and a passionately written piece of adulating prose. Nina Antonia uncovers the blacklisting of the New York Dolls, captures the fireball intensity of their decadent ascent and equally tragic demise, and properly positions them in their rightful place as one of the most influential innovators of modern rock&roll.

Unfortunately "Too Much Too Soon" is a posthumous work as three of the band's most important members were devoured by its own tragic spectacle.The book is written in the same sensibility@of uncompromising passion and fun as the group's excessively rock'n'roll attitude. It is also as chock full of the hard facts, never before seen photos, as it is of the regret and loss the Doll's members had to deal with. It is high time that the history of rock by revised to included this essential band in its legend. And this is just the book to do it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Girl who Knows Her Dolls, November 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Too Much, Too Soon: The Makeup & Breakup of the New York Dolls (Paperback)

Nina Antonia knows her stuff. Carefully researched, written with a real feel for the music - and the clothes - this is the book for anyone who wants to know the truth behind the Dolls story. With 3 of the principals dead - 2 of them chaps that our authoress knew well - it's unlikely that anyone will write a better Dolls retrospective than this.

Nina gets close to the core of this strange, doomed band and examines what it was about them that so intimidated the straight musicbiz. Not that they needed any outside assistance in wrecking their career. This book pulls no punches when it comes to the dirt...

Ultimately, one concludes that if Johnny Thunders wasn't a great guitarist, he was certainly a Great Poster.