The music world is in mourning following the death of David Johansen, the former lead singer of the punk trailblazers New York Dolls.
He passed away at age 75 on Friday at his home in New York, as confirmed by his stepdaughter Leah Hennessey.
Earlier this month, the legendary performer revealed he had been battling stage four cancer, a brain tumor, and a broken back.
News of the punk icon’s death seemingly first surfaced via former Smiths frontman Morrissey, who posted a tribute on his website before Johansen’s family officially announced it.
Morrissey, a longtime admirer who once ran the New York Dolls’ fan club, shared a photo of Johansen with the simple caption: ‘All Hallow.’
Tributes quickly followed from across the music industry, with Stevie Van Zandt of the E Street Band and Little Steven’s Garage writing, ‘One of the most unique legends of our business and a very good friend. One of a kind.’
The music world, including Morrissey (seen in 2004) is in mourning following the death of David Johansen, the former lead singer of the punk trailblazers New York Dolls
David passed away at age 75 on Friday at his home in New York, as confirmed by his stepdaughter Leah Hennessey; (seen in 1973)
Tim Burgess of The Charlatans honored Johansen with a nostalgic throwback photo from his heyday in the New York Dolls, writing, ‘Safe travels, David Johansen.’
Guitarist and longtime Billy Idol collaborator Steve Stevens reflected on Johansen’s raw energy and New York grit, saying, ‘As a kid from Queens, New York, this one hurts. Never about technique for New York rock and rollers.
‘It was always about the sound of the subway, the stinking overflowing garbage cans, the misfits of Times Square. The Dolls did it to perfection.’
Johansen’s health struggles began in 2020, though he kept his condition private for years.
His battle took a severe turn in 2024 when, on top of his cancer and brain tumor, he broke his back in three places.
Despite his ailments, he remained largely out of the public eye, with his most recent spotlight appearance being the focus of Martin Scorsese’s documentary Personality Crisis.
Johansen’s family kept his health struggles private and only decided to open up about it now due to the ‘severe financial burden’ they are now dealing with due to the costs of his care.
Sadly, Johansen also broke his back in two places after falling down the stairs the day after Thanksgiving, and he underwent a successful surgery and spent a week in the hospital.
Morrissey, a longtime admirer who once ran the New York Dolls’ fan club and penned a short biography on them before forming The Smiths, shared a photo of Johansen with the simple caption: ‘All Hallow’
The The’s Matt Johnson posted,’It was a pleasure working with him on the original version of my single ‘Perfect’ in NYC back in 1982 when he provided blistering harmonica’
Tributes quickly followed from across the music industry
However he ‘has been bedridden and incapacitated,’ Leah, whose mother is David’s wife Mara Hennessey, wrote.
‘Due to the trauma, David’s illness has progressed exponentially and my mother is caring for him around the clock.’
‘To continue his treatment and give him the best chance of recovery, David and Mara will need full time assistance. As hilarious and wise as David continues to be, he is physically debilitated and his care exceeds what we are capable of providing without specialized professional help,’ Hennessey added.
While her father has earned a living as a singer and actor for nearly 60 years, Hennessey explained he has not been able to work as a performer in the last five years.
‘Our most immediate needs are full time nursing, physical therapy and funding for day to day vital living expenses. With professional specialized care, we are hopeful that David can regain some mobility and independence,’ Hennessey said.
The fundraiser did not specify exactly what kind of cancer Johansen is battling.
It contained photos of David with Leah and Mara, along with a photo of the musician in the hospital.
In a statement obtained by Rolling Stone, Johansen called the latest development in his health ordeal ‘the worst pain’ he had ever endured.
Earlier this month, Johansen announced he was suffering from stage four cancer, a brain tumor and a broken back
He has also created music as his alter ego, Buster Poindexter, including the 1987 hit Hot Hot Hot; seen in 1987
‘We’ve been living with my illness for a long time, still having fun, seeing friends and family, carrying on, but this tumble the day after Thanksgiving really brought us to a whole new level of debilitation,’ he explained.
‘This is the worst pain I’ve ever experienced in my entire life. I’ve never been one to ask for help, but this is an emergency. Thank you.’
A musician and actor, Johansen served as the lead singer and songwriter for the legendary punk-rock band New York Dolls before embarking on his own solo career.
He has also created music as his alter ego, Buster Poindexter, including the 1987 hit Hot Hot Hot.
As an actor, Johansen has numerous credits under his name, including a role as the Ghost of Christmas Past in the 1988 Bill Murray-led dark comedy Scrooged.
His family’s fundraiser revealed Johansen was hosting a weekly radio show on SiriusXM, titled The Mansion of Fun.
He also had an exhibition of his paintings at the Elliot Temple Fine Arts gallery in New York over the summer.
A documentary about Johansen that was directed by Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi, Personality Crisis: One Night Only, was released in 2022.
A true original, Johansen’s legacy as a punk pioneer remains indelible.