1971

In Queens, a part of New York City, Johnny  lives at 25-62 83rd Street in the basement with his sister and mother.

From the Newtown High School a band sometimes loosely referred to as ACTRESS (ARTHUR KANE, BILLY MURCIA and RICK RIVETS), are joined by one JOHNNY VOLUME, later THUNDERS, as bass-player.

At rehearsals, Rick Rivets starts a tape-recorder to try to hear what they're doing with Johnny's songs and first vocal attempts. Many years later, this tape is exhumed for analysis on a CD release, 'Dawn Of The Dolls'. (Some rough tunes now sound familiar, as later they've developed into Subway Train and So Alone.)

Rivets is replaced by SYLVAIN SYLVAIN. They change their name first to THE DOLLS.... then Thunders adds 'NEW YORK'.

Towards the end of the year, DAVID JOHANSEN, then vocalist of the VAGABOND MISSIONARIES, joins the NEW YORK DOLLS.

December:
The New York Dolls rehearse at Rusty's Beanies Bike Shop, overnight.
The Dolls first ever performance is a Christmas Party at the Endicott Hotel, filling in for a cancellation, they play a set of R&B and soul covers.