Must See: New York Doll

Max · #1 07-26-2006, 11:33 PM

I just finished watching the documentary about New York Doll's bass player Arthur Killer Kane and highly recommend this film. It's out on DVD now and chronicles his life from the New York Dolls, his unlikely conversion to the Mormon Church and then the reunion of the band at the Morrisey Meltdown in 2004.

This movie was absolutely wonderful with its knowledge of rock history and the influence of the Dolls. Great interviews from Chrissie Hynde, Bob Geldof, Mick Jones and many others.

But where it is the most amazing is telling Kane's story of 30 years of poverty and bitterness because he never profited from the Dolls and his ultimate reconcilation with lead singer David Johansen. It's not a propaganda piece for the church. The juxtaposition of interview segments between Kane's Mormon leaders and rock associates is really pretty funny. Really touching story that you guys will relate to on multiple levels.

Highest recommendation.

Max · #2 07-27-2006, 05:07 PM

Bump.

I am going to nag until some people on TB see this movie. You'll thank me.

FL Knifemaker · #3 07-28-2006, 06:58 AM

You're right, excellent film. I couldn't believe they had to buy back his basses from the pawn shop!! Very touching, very funny lots of memorys of a great band. I grew up in NY at that time so it made it a bit more special for me. I never saw them live as the Dolls but saw them individually in their various attempts after they broke up.

Don W · #4 07-28-2006, 03:07 PM

Sounds like a good film. I've been watching a lot of documentaries lately so I just added this to the top of my netflix queue. I should get to watch it sometime next week.

MO542 · #5 07-28-2006, 03:30 PM

I saw it and it was great. I was walking around the movie store and say a guy with a bass on the cover….. never thought I’d see that. So I was going to rent it either way, it was much better than expected. I’d highly recommend renting it.

P. Aaron · #6 07-28-2006, 03:39 PM

I dig the New York Dolls and I have to see this.

dangnewt · #7 08-03-2006, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max

Bump.

I am going to nag until some people on TB see this movie. You'll thank me.

Max is right. I rented this on the recommendation of my guitar player a couple of weeks ago. He may regret it - now I want to start a Dolls tribute band.

It is a very interesting story that is told well.

Don W · #8 08-05-2006, 10:14 PM

Okay I watched this today. I was never really into the New York Dolls, but I always liked what I had heard of their music, but this was a good documentary.

It's a great example of musicians that have to suffer for their art, when the Dolls broke up, most of the members had nothing.

I have to say that I knew that Arthur Kane had passed away but I had never heard how, when I saw that part of the documentary i was like

. It's a shame but it was good seeing that he got to reconcile with David before he passed, it seemed like that was something he really wanted to do.

All in all I enjoyed this a lot so Max, thanks for the recomendation, I think I'm gonna check out some of the New York Dolls music, anyone have a suggestion of where to start?

invader3k · #9 08-06-2006, 06:46 AM

Get the album "New York Dolls" from 1973...that has a lot of their classics like "Personality Crisis," "Frankenstein," "Trash," "Looking for a Kiss," etc.

Give it a few listens too...when I first bought the album, because I had heard of the band and wanted to check them out, I didn't really like it because it was a sound I wasn't used to...but it quickly grew on me. It's a really great rock & roll album.

Their latest album is supposed to be pretty good, but I haven't had the chance to listen to it yet.