David Johansen, the gravelly-voiced frontman and last surviving original member of the influential glam and protopunk group the New York Dolls, has passed away at the age of 75. He died at his residence in New York City on Friday, as stated by a family representative. Johansen was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and a brain tumor earlier in 2025.
The New York Dolls were pioneering figures in the punk rock scene, known for their flamboyant style featuring teased hair, women’s clothing, and heavy makeup, which later influenced the glam metal scene with bands like Faster Pussycat and Mötley Crüe. In 2011, Johansen expressed his satisfaction with the band’s impact, saying, “When you’re an artist, the main thing you want to do is inspire people, so if you succeed in doing that, it’s pretty gratifying.”
Once described by Rolling Stone as the “mutant children of the hydrogen age” and by Vogue as the “darlings of downtown style, tarted-up toughs in boas and heels,” the Dolls were much more than a band. They merged old rock ‘n’ roll, blues, show tunes, and influences from bands like the Rolling Stones and girl groups. However, despite their innovative approach, commercial success evaded them, and internal struggles along with drug issues led to their breakup after their second album. A revival occurred in 2004, encouraged by former Smiths frontman Morrissey, leading to a performance at the Meltdown Festival in England and the release of three new studio albums.
In the 1980s, Johansen reinvented himself as Buster Poindexter, a lounge lizard persona, achieving mainstream recognition with the upbeat single “Hot, Hot, Hot” in 1987. His acting credits include roles in films like “Candy Mountain,” “Let It Ride,” and “Married to the Mob,” along with a notable performance as the Ghost of Christmas Past in Bill Murray’s “Scrooged.”
In 2023, Johansen became the subject of a documentary by Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi titled “Personality Crisis: One Night Only.” This film combined footage from his performances at the Café Carlyle with interviews and retrospectives on his multifaceted career. Reflecting on his musical journey, Johansen remarked, “I used to think about my voice like: ‘What’s it gonna sound like? What’s it going to be when I do this song?’… At some point in my life, I decided: ‘Just sing the (expletive) song. With whatever you got.’”
Born David Roger Johansen, he grew up in a large Catholic family on Staten Island, where his father worked as an insurance salesman. Early on, he filled notebooks with poems and drew inspiration from varied musical genres, from R&B and Cuban music to artists like Janis Joplin and Otis Redding. The final lineup of the Dolls featured guitarists Sylvain Sylvain and Johnny Thunders, bassist Arthur Kane, and drummer Jerry Nolan. Their name was inspired by a toy hospital in Manhattan, and they were expected to be the successors to the Velvet Underground.
Although neither their 1973 debut album “New York Dolls” nor its follow-up “Too Much Too Soon” charted, their music’s raw energy gained critical recognition. Rolling Stone praised them as a “strange combination of high pop-star drag and ruthless street arrogance.” Some of their notable tracks included “Personality Crisis” and “Looking for a Kiss.” Their glam fashion was more than just a statement; it was a call for inclusivity and acceptance.
Despite their struggles, the Dolls’ legacy endured. Rolling Stone ranked their debut at No. 301 in their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. They were hailed by the likes of Blondie’s Chris Stein for paving the way for future generations, and mentioned by Tommy Lee as early inspirations. Over the years, Johansen’s versatile vocal prowess, which the Los Angeles Times aptly described as “a bit of a foghorn” with touching emotional urgency, continued to resonate with audiences.
Notably, the Dolls were divisive figures in their prime. In 1973, they were voted both the best and worst new group in Creem magazine’s poll, and while nominated for The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame several times, they never secured an induction. Despite their early struggles, they became symbols of rock’s rebellious spirit. Following the band’s first dissolution, Johansen went on to form the David Johansen band, later finding new artistic expressions with The Harry Smiths, a group dedicated to exploring blues and folk music. Additionally, he hosted a radio show “The Mansion of Fun” on Sirius XM and pursued painting.
David Johansen is survived by his wife, Mara Hennessey, and his stepdaughter, Leah Hennessey, leaving a profound impact on music history and inspiring countless artists and musicians.
