Doll by Doll

by Jason AnkenyThe London-based Doll by Doll was the showcase of singer/songwriter Jackie Leven, a Scottish-born performer who had previously gigged under the name John St. Field. With the dawn of the new wave, however, in 1977 Leven formed Doll by Doll, recruiting guitarist Jo Shaw, bassist Robin Spreafico and drummer David McIntosh and debuting two years later with the LP Remember, a collection informed as much by R&B and Celtic influence as by post-punk attitude. With new bassist Tony Waite, the group returned later in 1979 with Gypsy Blood, followed two years later by a self-titled LP and the minor hit "Carita." After 1982's Grand Passion, Doll By Doll entered the studio to record a fifth album, but the record was never released, and the group disbanded; Leven soon mounted a solo career.