Blackie Lawless

Real Name:  Steven Duren

Birthdate:  September 4, 1956

Blackie was nine years old when he got his first guitar.

His first band was called The Underside.

At 14 he was sent to military school (imagine that!) but only lasted a year and a half after he was thrown out (Can't imagine why ;)

At 16 Blackie was in a band called Black Rabbit.

When he was 18 Blackie joined the New York Dolls after Johnny Thunders left.

After about 6 months, Blackie and bassist Arthur Kane left the New York Dolls and went to L.A.  there they formed a band called Killer Kane and release an EP.  It included the songs Mr. Cool, Longhaired Woman, and Don't Need You.  At that time, Blackie was known as "Blackie Gooseman.