This Day In Music: 14 January 1992 – Remembering Drummer Jerry Nolan
via Jerry Nolan / Facebook
On January 14, 1992, Jerry Nolan, drummer for the influential American band The New York Dolls, passed away at the age of 45. He died from a fatal stroke after spending several weeks in a coma due to complications from bacterial meningitis and pneumonia. Nolan’s death marked the end of a significant era in rock music, as The New York Dolls were one of the pioneering bands of the 1970s glam rock movement.
Ruby Starr’s Musical Journey
The New York Dolls formed in 1972 and quickly became known for their raw sound and theatrical performances. They only released two albums: New York Dolls (1973) and Too Much Too Soon (1974). Despite their limited output, the band’s influence on punk rock and glam rock is still felt today. Jerry Nolan joined the band in the fall of 1972, replacing the original drummer, Billy Murcia. Murcia tragically died from asphyxiation after an accidental drug overdose while the band was touring in England. Nolan, a close friend of the band, was chosen to fill the vacant drummer spot.
The New York Dolls were known for their wild, energetic performances and their distinctive mix of rock and roll, glam, and punk. The band’s name was inspired by the New York Doll Hospital, a doll repair shop, which reflected their flair for the dramatic and eccentric. Their first live performance was on Christmas Eve in 1971 at a homeless shelter in New York City. After gaining attention from the music industry, they were invited to open for Rod Stewart in London, which helped them gain a larger following.
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The Rise and Fall of the New York Dolls
Though they were well-received in the UK, the band struggled to find commercial success in the United States. In 1973, Stereo Review magazine criticized the Dolls’ guitar sound, comparing it to “lawnmowers.” In a Creem magazine poll, the group was voted both the best and worst new band of 1973, reflecting the mixed reception from American audiences. Despite this, the Dolls continued to tour in Europe and appeared on the BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test. However, their time in the spotlight was short-lived.
By 1975, tensions within the band, fueled by drugs and personal differences, led to the New York Dolls’ decline. After leaving the Dolls, Nolan formed The Heartbreakers with Johnny Thunders and Richard Hell. Nolan’s friendship with Thunders was close, and the two remained friends until Thunders’ death in 1991 from a heroin overdose. Just a few months later, Nolan, while in New York receiving treatment for illness, suffered a stroke. He passed away on January 14, 1992, leaving behind a legacy of contributions to the world of rock music.
