David Johansen, the charismatic lead singer of the influential proto-punk band New York Dolls, has died at age 75. Johansen passed away at his Staten Island home on February 28, surrounded by his wife Mara Hennessey and daughter Leah Hennessey, following a nearly decade-long battle with Stage 4 cancer.
Born January 9, 1950, Johansen rose to prominence as the flamboyant frontman of New York Dolls in 1971. The band’s provocative blend of glam rock aesthetics and raw punk energy laid the groundwork for the punk revolution of the late 1970s, despite achieving limited commercial success during their initial run.
“David’s impact on music and culture cannot be overstated,” said longtime manager Danny Fields. “He was a true original who never stopped pushing boundaries.”
Following the Dolls’ 1976 breakup, Johansen embarked on a diverse solo career. He scored a surprise hit as his lounge singer alter ego Buster Poindexter with 1987’s “Hot Hot Hot,” and appeared in films like “Scrooged” and “Let It Ride.”
Johansen reunited a revamped New York Dolls lineup in 2004 at London’s Meltdown Festival, curated by superfan Morrissey. The band continued touring and recording until 2011.
Music historian Legs McNeil reflected on Johansen’s legacy: “Without the Dolls, punk as we know it might never have happened. David was the last living link to that crucial moment in rock history.”
Johansen is survived by his wife, daughter, and countless musicians inspired by his groundbreaking career spanning over five decades.
