The New York Dolls Posing at Gem Spa for the Back Cover of Their Debut Album, 1973

Outtakes of the New York Dolls photo shoot by Toshi Matsuo at Gem Spa, St. Mark’s and 2nd Ave., NYC, in 1973, for the back cover of their debut album, New York Dolls.

In this case, the leading star is, hands down, “Shoo Be Doo,” the tough little rascal photobombing the shots with his toy rifle. The same boy, dressed in matching tails to David Johansen, introduced the band on stage for their ‘73 Halloween gig at the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria, one of the Doll’s most memorable performances. Unfortunately he died soon after in a fire accident.

New York Dolls is the debut studio album by the New York Dolls, released on July 27, 1973. An influential precursor to the 1970s punk rock movement, the eponymous album has been acclaimed as one of the best debut records in rock music and one of the greatest rock albums ever.

New York Dolls received acclaim but sold poorly and polarized listeners. The band proved difficult to market outside their native New York and developed a reputation for rock-star excesses while touring the United States in support of the album. Despite its commercial failure, New York Dolls helped shape the 1970s punk rock movement; the group’s crude musicianship and youthful attitude challenged the prevailing trend of musical sophistication in popular music, particularly progressive rock.