April 13, 2004
New York Dolls Reuniting For One-Off
In a season of unlikely musical reunions, add another seemingly inexplicable entry to the list: Those punk pioneers the New York Dolls have made plans to reconvene.
Thanks to the persuasive power of Morrissey, the New York Dolls are reuniting for London's Meltdown festival, for which the ex-Smiths frontman serves as artistic director. Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Izzy Stradlin will fill the slot left vacant by Johnny Thunders, who died of a drug overdose in 1991, and Libertines drummer Gary Powell will do the same for the late Jerry Nolan.
Morrissey - who curates the event this year - has revealed some of the names set to appear at Meltdown.
Speaking exclusively to Teletext’s ‘Planet Sound’ at an invite-only South gig in the Camden Lock Tavern last night, Mozza said The New York Dolls will play their first gig since 1977 at the event, held between June 11-27th at London’s Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall on the south bank.
David Johansen manager said there was a possibility of future performances, but characterized that speculation as premature. "They have not been in the same room for years," though he added, "There has been absolutely no animosity in our discussions."
Tickets for MELTDOWN on sale soon: www.rfh.org.uk/meltdown