Classic Track: the raucous New York Dolls are living fast, looking for a kiss

The New York Dolls were archetypal pieces of music history, even back when they exploded in 1971. They had a sound that was new, grungy, distorted, loud, raucous, and dangerous. Their influence has since inspired countless bands and music scenes. Credited with being one of the major authorities for the New York music scene in the 70s, they influenced the inception of the punk rock era and the standard model of what became '80s glam metal in all its glorified ugliness. Their sway spurred into creation bands such as The Ramones, Blondie, The Stooges, Guns N' Roses, Television, and The Talking Heads.

Last week marked the anniversary of the death of New York Dolls original drummer Billy Murcia, who died during a short tour of London when a drug overdose ultimately resulted in asphyxiation after the other members attempted to sober him up in the shower. We got a bit nostalgic over this and felt a need to remember one of the founding bands that made teased hair and spandex acceptable. So, for any high school girl rocking this look, you may want to build a small shrine to The Dolls and thank them for their contribution.

The Dolls embraced that classic live-fast motto that is so essential to the modern rock-and-roll persona. They were a hurricane of a band with staggering steps in platform heels, who fell off stage or were pushed back on from the wings with a needle still fixed in their arm. But above all they made killer music that is still as relevant and influential today as when they first played it.