10 Most Iconic Music Albums Turning 50 In 2023

Grabbing the New York hard rock scene by the horns and thrusting it into a new realm of sexuality, drag culture and gritty downtown urban attitude, this self-titled debut album by New York Dolls kicked rock 'n' roll into a new gear. A concoction of old school rock 'n' roll sounds, the glam rock androgyny of Bowie and T. Rex, and the anarchic attitudes from The Stooges, this album became the blueprint of what would later be punk rock.

Influences of 1960s girl groups like The Shangri-Las, and The Stones’ R&B vibes, can clearly be heard, and this record would go on to inspire countless punk icons. Themes of teen rebellion, young romance and urban sleaze vividly throw the listener into the grit and grime of New York City in the 1970s. Signing to a record label would prove to be a challenge, due in part to labels' reluctance in taking on a band with vulgar onstage performances and dressing in extreme drag, which directly opposed the homophobic attitudes of the '70s.

Bagging legendry musician Todd Rundgren as producer, New York Dolls recorded their debut in New York City, managing to convert their live sound onto the album with great success. Along with The Stooges, this album stands amongst the most iconic proto punk albums, sounding just as bold now as it did five decades ago.