David Johansen, the charismatic and gravelly-voiced singer, has sadly passed away at the age of 75. A legendary figure in the glam and protopunk music scene, Johansen was best known as the last surviving member of the New York Dolls and later for his flamboyant alter ego, Buster Poindexter. He died Friday at his home in New York City, a loss acknowledged by Rolling Stone based on a family spokesperson's statement. In early 2025, it was disclosed that Johansen had been battling stage 4 cancer and a brain tumor.
The New York Dolls, formed in the early 1970s, were seminal figures in the punk rock movement. Their daring style, characterized by teased hair, women’s clothing, and extravagant makeup, helped catalyze the glam rock genre that influenced subsequent heavy metal bands such as Faster Pussycat and Mötley Crüe. "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,” Johansen told The Knoxville News-Sentinel in 2011, encapsulating his drive as a performer.
The Dolls were recognized for their innovative blend of rock ‘n’ roll, big-city blues, and pop melodies. Bill Bentley, in the book “Smithsonian Rock and Roll: Live and Unseen,” praised the Dolls, stating they were beyond musicians; they were a cultural phenomenon. Despite their monumental influence, the band struggled with commercial success. Internal conflicts and substance abuse led to their breakup after two albums—1973’s self-titled release produced by Todd Rundgren and “Too Much Too Soon,” produced by Shadow Morton in 1974.
In 2004, the band's legacy was revitalized when Morrissey convinced Johansen and remaining members to reunite for a performance at the Meltdown Festival in England. This marked a new chapter, resulting in three additional studio albums. In the 1980s, Johansen embraced a new persona as Buster Poindexter, gaining notoriety for the hit single “Hot, Hot, Hot” and appearing in various films such as “Candy Mountain,” “Let It Ride,” and “Scrooged,” where he famously played the Ghost of Christmas Past.
The year 2023 saw Johansen featured in Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi's documentary “Personality Crisis: One Night Only,” which showcased his two-night performance at Café Carlyle in January 2020 alongside retrospectives of his eclectic career and personal interviews. In discussing his artistic evolution, Johansen remarked in a 2023 interview with The Associated Press about his approach to singing, choosing authenticity over technical perfection: “At some point in my life, I decided: ‘Just sing the (expletive) song. With whatever you got.’”
Born to a large Catholic family on Staten Island, Johansen developed a passion for music early in life, influenced by R&B, Cuban music, and legendary artists like Janis Joplin and Otis Redding. The New York Dolls seemed destined for greatness, sharing stages and spaces with icons like Lou Reed and Andy Warhol, and they derived their name from a toy hospital in Manhattan. Despite expectations, neither of their initial albums charted, which led to mixed critiques describing them as both the best and worst band of the year in various publications.
The group’s songs, including "Personality Crisis" and "Looking for a Kiss," reflected their raw, unapologetic style. Johansen emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere for all fans, breaking down societal barriers related to identity and self-expression. Their impact on rock history is undeniable, with Rolling Stone later ranking their debut album among the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Following the dissolution of the Dolls, Johansen continued exploring different artistic paths, forming his own band and creating music inspired by blues and American folk. He also hosted a weekly radio show titled “The Mansion of Fun” on Sirius XM and pursued his passion for painting. Johansen is survived by his wife, Mara Hennessey, and his stepdaughter, Leah Hennessey.
