Right from their beginnings in 1971, The New York Dolls were outsiders. Outcasts at school, with a common interest in primal rock'n'roll and rhythm and blues, they sought each other out to prevent being picked on. The band originally practiced at night above a shop using equipment "creatively acquired" from local hock shops. The Dolls legend and legacy was carved from riotous gigs at New York venues the Mercer Arts Centre and Max's Kansas City. Their looks, clothes, lyrics, appearance and attitudes were starkly confronting and hugely influential, laying the blueprint for the glam and punk eras that followed. The seemingly cursed band has suffered death and disarray throughout their career. The band's first drummer Billy Murcia died by accidental drowning in a bath as the band was touring England in 1972. Guitarist Johnny Thunders died of a suspected drug overdose in 1991, second drummer Jerry Nolan the following year from a fatal stroke, and bassist Arthur Kane died shortly after the band's triumphant reunion shows in 2004. The band released their Todd Rundgren-produced debut album in 1973, which was followed by Too Much Too Soon in 1974, after which they were dropped by their label. The Dolls later came under the influence of soon-to-be Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, who took the band in an unusual direction that culminated with Thunders and Nolan leaving the group in 1975. The band's reunion was initiated by Morrissey, who was at one stage president of the New York Dolls fan club, who asked the band to play the Meltdown festival he was organising. Their comeback performance was such a success the band played numerous festivals and returned to the studio. The band, with only singer David Johansen and guitarist Sylvain Sylvain as surviving original members, released the new studio album One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This in 2006.