David Johansen, the pioneering frontman of the influential glam rock band New York Dolls and the last surviving original member, died Friday at his home in Staten Island. He was 75.
His death was confirmed by his stepdaughter, Leah Hennessey. Johansen passed away while holding hands with his wife Mara Hennessey and daughter, surrounded by music and flowers. The singer had recently revealed he was battling Stage 4 cancer, a brain tumor, and had been bedridden after breaking his back in November.
As lead singer of the New York Dolls in the early 1970s, Johansen helped shape the sound and style of punk rock. The band's transgressive approach, including their signature cross-dressing aesthetic, influenced countless musicians. Their first two albums - 1973's "New York Dolls" and 1974's "Too Much Too Soon" - became foundational texts for punk, heavy metal, and alternative rock.
After the Dolls disbanded in 1976, Johansen reinvented himself multiple times. In the 1980s, he achieved mainstream success with his lounge singer persona Buster Poindexter, scoring a hit with the calypso song "Hot Hot Hot." He also built an acting career, appearing in films like "Scrooged" as the Ghost of Christmas Past alongside Bill Murray.
The New York Dolls reunited in 2004, releasing three more albums before dissolving in 2011. Johansen's legacy was recently celebrated in the 2023 Martin Scorsese documentary "Personality Crisis: One Night Only."
His journey from punk provocateur to versatile entertainer showcased his remarkable range as a performer. Beyond the music, Johansen's willingness to challenge gender norms and push creative boundaries left an indelible mark on popular culture.
He is survived by his wife Mara Hennessey and daughter Leah Hennessey.