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Punk Icon David Johansen Dead at 75

BBG News

The musical community is grieving over the passing of David Johansen, once the frontman of the pioneering punk band, the New York Dolls.

He died at the age of 75 on a Friday, in his residence in New York City, as reported by his stepdaughter Leah Hennessey.

This month, the acclaimed artist disclosed that he has been fighting a stage 4 cancer, a brain tumor, and a fractured spine.

Initially, news about the passing of the renowned punk figure was reportedly shared on Morrissey’s website, prior to the family making an official announcement. Morrissey, former lead singer of The Smiths, paid tribute to him first.

Morrissey, an ardent fan with past affiliations as the manager of the New York Dolls’ fan club, posted a picture of Johansen accompanied by the straightforward statement: ‘Halloween Spirit.’

Swift accolades poured in from various sectors of the music world, with Stevie Van Zandt from the E Street Band and Little Steven’s Garage penning, “An exceptional figure and a cherished friend within our industry, truly one of a kind.

In a nod to the past, Tim Burgess from The Charlatans shared an emotional throwback picture featuring David Johansen during his time with the New York Dolls, expressing his farewell wishes with ‘Best wishes on your journey, David Johansen.’

Steve Stevens, who has worked closely with Billy Idol for a long time, expressed his feelings about Johansen’s passing, stating, “For a New York boy like me, this is painful. It wasn’t about technical skills in New York rock music; it was all about raw energy.

The essence was consistently the gritty sounds of the subway, the repulsive odor from overflowing trash bins, and the peculiar characters frequenting Times Square. The group, The Dolls, managed to capture this authenticity flawlessly.

Johansen’s health struggles began in 2020, though he kept his condition private for years. 

2024 marked a challenging juncture in my journey, as I found myself grappling not just with my ongoing cancer and brain tumor, but also a devastating triple fracture in my spine.

In spite of his health issues, he mostly stayed away from public view, with his latest significant exposure being the subject of Martin Scorsese’s film, Personality Crisis.

The Johansens had chosen to keep their personal health issues hidden, but due to the heavy financial strain brought on by the escalating costs of caring for him, they have opted to share this information publicly now.

Unfortunately, Johansen sustained fractures in two spots on his back after tumbling down the stairs the day following Thanksgiving. Subsequently, he went through a successful operation and stayed at the hospital for a week.

Despite being confined to bed and unable to move around freely, this is what Leah, who is married to David and therefore his wife is Mara Hennessey, penned down.

Or more concisely:
Despite being bedridden and incapacitated, this was written by Leah (Mara Hennessey’s daughter-in-law).

Because of the trauma he’s experienced, David’s condition has been rapidly worsening. My mother is providing constant care for him.

To ensure David’s treatment progresses effectively for his best possible recovery, David and Mara require round-the-clock aid. Despite his ongoing humor and wisdom, David’s physical condition is compromised, and his care demands more than what we can offer without the expertise of professional healthcare providers, as Hennessey explained.

For about six decades, his father has made a living through singing and acting, but Hennessey shared that he hasn’t had the opportunity to perform over the past five years.

As a die-hard supporter, I’m sharing the urgent requirements we face: round-the-clock care from skilled nurses, regular physical therapy sessions, and financial support to manage daily essentials. With specialized professional help, there’s optimism that David may recover some mobility and regain independence once more. Hennessey expressed this hopeful sentiment.

The fundraiser did not specify exactly what kind of cancer Johansen is battling.

The collection included pictures of David with both Leah and Mara, as well as a photograph of the musician during his hospital stay.

According to Rolling Stone’s report, Johansen described the recent turn in his health struggles as the most intense suffering he has experienced yet.

For quite some time now, I’ve been managing my health condition while enjoying life, spending time with loved ones, and persevering, but the fall I had the day following Thanksgiving took our struggles to an entirely different degree of incapacitation,” he clarified.

I’ve encountered the most intense agony I’ve known throughout my lifetime. Normally, I don’t seek assistance, but this situation calls for urgent help. Many thanks.

Back in the day, I was a part of the iconic punk-rock band, the New York Dolls, where I took on the roles of both frontman and primary songwriter. But my passion didn’t stop there; eventually, I dared to strike out on my own, venturing into a solo career that let me explore new musical territories.

He has also created music as his alter ego, Buster Poindexter, including the 1987 hit Hot Hot Hot.

In his acting career, Johansen boasts a long list of roles, one of which is portraying the Ghost of Christmas Past in the 1988 dark comedy “Scrooged,” starring Bill Murray.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been gracing the airwaves every week on SiriusXM, with my lively radio program aptly named “The Mansion of Fun.” This revelation came to light during our recent family fundraiser.

Additionally, he showcased his artwork – paintings specifically – at the Elliot Temple Fine Arts gallery in New York during the summer months as well.

In 2022, a documentary titled “Personality Crisis: One Night Only,” which Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi directed about Johansen, was made available to the public.

A true original, Johansen’s legacy as a punk pioneer remains indelible.

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2025-03-02 00:05

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