I CAN NEVER GO HOME ANYMORE…BECAUSE I AIN’T GOT ONE,

AND I’M…SO ALL ALONE

 

THE SHANGRI-LA’S VS. THE NEW YORK DOLLS – A COMPARISON BATTLE

 TO THE DEATH…

(1)   Starting with the obvious one – both bands did ‘Give Him A Great Big Kiss’ in concert and/or on record (and The Dolls used the ‘when I say I’m in love, you best believe I’m in love, L-U-V…’ line in their own “Looking For  A Kiss”, as well as performing the cover on various rehearsal/demo tapes), with Johnny Thunders eventually honouring the song on a solo  LP.

 

(2)   Both bands were not exactly sparing with the makeup.

 

(3)   Each was produced by Shadow Morton.

 

(4)   Both recorded for Mercury, with very little commercial success for those  products and that company.

 

(5)    Each reunited in 1977 in a manner of speaking (The Dolls for a photo shoot,  and the girls for rehearsals and showcases for a proposed return that did not  pan out).

 

(6)   Each has an association with Norton Records (The Dolls having had a record of rehearsals/demos under that aegis, and Mary Weiss, the leader of the Shangri-la’s, actually working on a solo record this year!)

 

(7)   The two outfits had been known to perform without a member or two, due to illness or indisposition.

 

(8)   Each has lost members to early death.

 

(9)   Sylvain Sylvain did some fashion design, while Mary Weiss has laboured in interior decorating and furniture store management, so there are connections in the area of beautification/artifice for both groups (were either member queer, it would almost be a cliché…)

 

(10)                      Both have camp appeal borne from their overwrought, ‘bad girl’ material.

 

(11)                      The Dolls have a new record out soon, while Miss Weiss is working on an album - another generation to corrupt!