New York Dolls were an influential American rock band formed in New York City in 1971. Known for their flamboyant, androgynous style and energetic live shows, they helped lay the groundwork for punk rock alongside acts like the Velvet Underground and the Stooges. Although they never found major commercial success at the time, their early albums New York Dolls and Too Much Too Soon became cult classics, inspiring countless musicians. The classic lineup featured David Johansen, Johnny Thunders, Arthur Kane, Sylvain Sylvain, and Jerry Nolan. Despite lineup changes and a brief initial run, they reunited decades later to release three more albums before disbanding once again in 2011. David Johansen, the final original member, passed away in 2025, but the band’s legacy endures as one of the founding forces of punk and glam rock.