Considered one of the most important American rock groups of the 1970s, The New York Dolls were integral in helping to set the blueprint for hard rock, glam rock, and punk music. Formed in 1971 in New York City's burgeoning punk scene, the band had a dirty, raucous, and edgy sound that differed from the largely pristine and layered sound of most '70s rock recordings. Their songs were strongly influenced by a distinctly New York sensibility, which incorporated dark cynicism and biting wisecracks into their lyrics, and featured imagery strongly influenced by English glam and androgyny.

The Dolls' two most famous and influential albums were recorded during the mid-70s beginning with their seminal 1973 self-titled effort produced by Todd Rundgren. Outrageous, shambolic and bursting with energy, the group borrowed the amped-up, bluesy swagger of the Stones, the pop confections of Phil Spector, and the campy theatrics that would flower with the glam movement here, yet brought it all together with a visceral impact that recalled the jolt of early rock & roll. It doesn't get much better than the archetypal proto-punk anthems "Personality Crisis," "Trash," and "Jet Boy."