Although Marty was relatively wealthy (the Dolls would often hold court at his country mansion) he fully intended on the group making him a millionaire.  Failing this, that David Johansen would marry Caroline Kennedy.  

It was also in the Spring of 1973 that the Dolls landed a record contract.  This they did mainly due to the paternal concern and unending enthusiasm of Paul Nelson who was Mercury Record's A&R Director.  Phonogram were very reluctant to sign the Dolls, but finally submitted to Nelson's extreme persuasion.  That the Dolls were demanding a quarter of a million advance did not enhance their chances with Phonogram.  But the Dolls had returned triumphantly to the New York circuit, and perhaps most important of all, 

With the help of Steve Leber and Paul Nelson, the Dolls were ready to record their first album.  The Dolls management Leber and Krebs wanted Phil Spector to produce the LP, but finally Todd Rundgren was assigned because, according to Johansen, "no one else was available".  Rundgren was by no means the Dolls' biggest fan, and was even less so after the release of the album.  The animosity was mutual.  Jerry Nolan later claimed that the album was "butchered", Johnny Thunders remarked that Rundgren "screwed up the mix", David Johansen said "ahh, don't worry, they'll take anything we put out."  The album sold over 100,000 copies.