David Johansen, the iconic lead singer of the New York Dolls, has passed away at the age of 75. His daughter, Leah Hennessey, confirmed to PEOPLE that Johansen died at his home in New York on Friday, Feb. 28.
Last month, his daughter shared the news in a heartfelt Instagram post on February 10, revealing efforts to support his care. She announced a partnership with the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to providing financial assistance to artists and music industry professionals facing health-related hardships.
His daughter wrote “David has been in intensive treatment for stage 4 cancer for most of the past decade.”
“There have been complications ever since. He’s never made his diagnosis public, as he and my mother Mara are generally very private people, but we feel compelled to share this now, due to the increasingly severe financial burden our family is facing.”
“To make matters worse, the day after Thanksgiving David fell down the stairs and broke his back in two places.”
“David has been bedridden and incapacitated. Due to the trauma, David’s illness has progressed exponentially and my mother is caring for him around the clock.
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“With professional specialized care, we are hopeful that David can regain some mobility and independence.” The family is raising money to pay for extra care for the 75-year-old punk rock star.
David Johansen (born January 9, 1950) is an American singer, songwriter, and actor best known as the lead vocalist of the New York Dolls, a band that played a pivotal role in shaping punk rock and glam rock in the early 1970s. With their raw energy, provocative style, and rebellious spirit, the Dolls influenced generations of musicians, from the Ramones to Guns N’ Roses.
Following the Dolls’ initial split in 1977, Johansen embarked on a solo career, blending rock, blues, and cabaret influences. In the 1980s, he found mainstream success under the alter ego Buster Poindexter, scoring a hit with the swing-infused single Hot Hot Hot. He also pursued acting, with memorable roles in films like Scrooged (1988) and Let It Ride (1989).
Johansen reunited with the surviving New York Dolls members in the 2000s, reviving their legacy and releasing new music. His career spanned decades.
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