“One of a Kind” David Johansen, the Last of the New York Dolls, Dies at 75
David Johansen, the New York Dolls co-founder and frontman who later recorded as Buster Poindexter and took up acting, has died.
Johansen was 75 when he died Feb. 28 “surrounded my music, flowers and love,” per a statement. He died of natural causes nearly a decade after being diagnosed with cancer.
Johansen was “one of the kindest and beautiful men I have ever known,” longtime David Bowie guitarist Earl Slick said in a statement.
“He also left us a legacy of music and art like very few ever have,” Slick said.
As frontman of the influential Dolls, Johansen made two records, their 1973 self-titled debut and ’74’s Too Much too Soon, before the band imploded.
“He was the king of a moment and we loved the Dolls,” Duran Duran said. “Loved their sound, loved their look.”
Blondie’s Chris Stein eulogized Johansen as “a genius humorist … a great guy,” whom he first met in 1968.
“Next time I saw him a few years later, he was dripping with charisma on the New York music scene,” Stein said. “Can only repeat, great guy.”
Johansen found his greatest success as lounge singer Buster Poindexter, scoring a hit with “Hot, Hot, Hot,” remaking Animals songs and releasing four alter-ego albums between 1987 and 1997.
The New York Dolls reformed to make three more albums in the 21st century and Johansen also found time for acting, including the role as the Ghost of Christmas Past in “Scrooged.”
“RIP, David Johansen,” Stevie Van Zandt said. “One of the most unique legends of our business and a very good friend. One of a kind.”
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