After a reform Jewish upbringing in Ohio and graduating with a fine arts degree, Kay Miller was New York City bound. The music of bands that played at Max’s Kansas City and CBGB’s, particularly Television, Patti Smith, and the Ramones lured her there. In September of 1978, Kay moved into a former cold water flat on St. Mark’s Place in the East Village. Having worked a variety of odd jobs, she eventually began teaching at a public school on the Lower East Side. On the weekends, she spent her time attending live rock shows in New York. She married a drummer who had been an acquaintance of hers for a long time and they continue to rock and roll to this day.