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NEW YORK DOLLS REUNITE WITH GUNS N’ROSES GUITARIST:

April 9, 2004

In a season of unlikely musical reunions, add another seemingly inexplicable entry to the list: Those punk pioneers the New York Dolls have made plans to reconvene.

The group, which in the early- to mid-1970s combined glam looks with proto-punk attack, has accepted an invitation to perform in June at London’s “Meltdown” festival after an invitation from the event’s artistic director for this year, legendary British singer Morrissey.

“He called and said that he was the president of his local New York Dolls fan club as a kid,” said Darren Hill of Ten Pin Management, who, in his role as singer David Johansen’s manager, brought the band’s surviving members together.

Johansen will be joined by original rhythm guitarist Sylvain Sylvain and bassist Arthur Kane, as well as former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Izzy Stradlin (standing in for the deceased Johnny Thunders) and Libertines drummer Gary Powell (assuming a similar role for the late Jerry Nolan). Hill hinted at the possibility that other guests might join the band, including Chrissy Hynde and members of Primal Scream.

Hill said there was a possibility of future performances, but characterized that speculation as premature.

“They have not been in the same room for years,” Hill said, though he added, “There has been absolutely no animosity in our discussions.”

Tom Kielty courtesy of Boston Globe