David Johansen, the lead singer of the influential punk band NEW YORK DOLLS, has passed away at the age of 75.
A representative for the singer confirmed the news in a statement to Rolling Stone. “David Johansen died at home in NYC on Friday afternoon holding hands with his wife Mara Hennessey and daughter Leah, surrounded my music, flowers, and love,” they said. “He was 75 years old and died of natural causes after nearly a decade of illness.”
Only last month, Johansen revealed that he was battling stage 4 cancer. His stepdaughter launched a fundraising page, stating that: “his care exceeds what we are capable of providing without specialized professional help.” The singer reportedly suffered a nasty fall the day after Thanksgiving, which left him “completely bedridden and incapacitated, relying on around-the-clock care.”
David Johansen’s diverse musical career is highlighted by his pivotal role in The NEW YORK DOLLS. Pioneers of punk’s raw sound, their seminal albums, New York Dolls and Too Much Too Soon, remain cornerstones of the genre. Though a later reunion, following the loss of original members, yielded three less commercially successful but still strong albums, the DOLLS‘ early work cemented Johansen‘s legacy.
Source: metaladdicts.com
