David Johansen Passes Away
David Johansen, the iconic frontman and the last surviving member of the New York Dolls, has passed away at the age of 75.
This heartbreaking news was confirmed by his daughter, Lia Hennessy, who reported that he died at his home in New York on Friday (February 28). He had been battling stage four cancer, a diagnosis he received in 2020.
His Impact on Punk Rock
As a member of the New York Dolls, Johansen played a crucial role in shaping the aesthetics that continue to influence punk rock today, blending glamorous elements with a raw, anti-establishment attitude that resonated with a new generation of music lovers.
Born on January 9, 1950, in Staten Island, Johansen began his musical journey with a group called Vagabond Missionaries in the late 1960s before forming the New York Dolls in 1971 with Johnny Thunders, Sylvain Sylvain, and Arthur Kane.
The band released two highly influential studio albums: “New York Dolls” (1973) and “Too Much Too Soon” (1974) before disbanding in 1976, reuniting only in 2004.
Johansen went on to enjoy a successful solo career, opening for bands like The Who. In the late ’80s, he explored a new persona, Buster Poindexter, becoming well-known for his performances with Saturday Night Live band. He achieved a hit with the song “Hot Hot Hot” in 1987.
Additionally, he ventured into acting, notably appearing alongside Bill Murray in the 1988 classic Scrooged. Other notable film credits include Let it Ride, Mr. Nanny, and The Adventures of Pete & Pete.
Tributes Come Pouring In
Numerous figures from the music industry have paid tribute to Johansen, including Stevie Van Zandt, who called him “one of the most unique legends of our business and a very good friend. One of a kind.” Morrissey, an early fan of the New York Dolls and later a friend of Johansen, posted a photo of the late singer on his website with the caption “Everything is empty.”
Rip David Johansen. One of the most unique legends of our business and a very good friend. One of a kind.
– 🇺🇸🕉🇺🇦🟦stevie van zandt☮ (@stevievzandt) March 1, 2025
Safe travel, David Johansen
– Tim Burgess (@tim_burgess) March 1, 2025
The Great David Johansen left the building. It is difficult to convey how central he was for those of us of a certain age and mindset. But maybe this song he recorded during his solo career in the late ’70s will give you that feeling. https://t.co/hxg005clza
– Michael Azerrad (@michalazerrad) March 1, 2025
Just a few weeks ago, Johansen expressed gratitude to his fans for their support during a fundraising campaign after he publicly shared his cancer diagnosis. “Hi all. I just wanted to thank you all for giving us a significant boost here with our campaign. It seems that this is incredibly amazing,” he said.
“I never asked for help in my life, and recently I learned the beauty of asking for help when your chips are down,” he continued. “This is what I do now, and it’s truly touching.”
He is survived by his wife, Mara, and daughter, Leah.
https://www.nme.com/news/music/david-johansen-frontman-of-the-new-york-dolls-dies-aged-75-3842583?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=david-johansen-frontman-of-the-new-york-dolls-dies-aged-75
