The Mercer Arts Center (where the New York Dolls are performing near the end of the show's pilot) really did collapse. It collapsed on Friday, August 9, 1973. However, the New York Dolls were not performing there at the time of the disaster. The collapse is obviously being used metaphorically here.
The scene where Led Zeppelin's manager Peter Grant (Ian Hart) is arguing backstage at a Led Zeppelin Concert actually happened, almost word for word (including the profanity). In Led Zeppelin's concert movie, "The Song Remains The Same", the real Peter Grant is shown screaming about vendors selling knock off Led Zeppelin items without his knowledge or approval.
In a scene where they bury Buck Rogers body the director Martin Scorsese pays Homage to " GoodFellas " opening scene.
The song in the club at the beginning of the pilot is "Personality Crisis" it is the lead track from the New York Dolls' self-titled debut album. It was written by Dolls lead singer David Johansen and guitarist Johnny Thunders.
Second time Bobby Cannavale and Andrew Dice Clay acted together - the first time being Blue Jasmine.