The New York Dolls were over by 1977. The band that had invented proto-punk, influenced the Sex Pistols and the Ramones, and scandalized America with lipstick and platform heels — gone. David Johansen could have faded with them.
Instead, he went into the studio with Sylvain Sylvain, his old Dolls bandmate, and recorded a solo debut that nobody saw coming. "Funky But Chic" — co-written by Johansen and Sylvain — was the standout single: glam rock swagger crossed with genuine R&B groove. Not a parody of soul. The real thing, filtered through a guy who'd spent years performing in the most theatrical band in New York.
The album was released on Blue Sky Records in 1978 and voted the 10th best record of the year in The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop poll. The critics who'd dismissed the Dolls as a novelty had to reckon with the fact that Johansen was a serious artist. He always had been.
This tank is for the people who knew that before the rest of the world caught up.
More New York rock royalty: Explore our Punk Rock collection or browse our Soul collection for the groove that pulled Johansen downtown.
For environmental and quality reasons, this tank is made specifically for you after you order. Please allow approximately one week for production. Tracking information will be sent as soon as it ships.
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