David Johansen, the flamboyant frontman of the glam rock band New York Dolls, passed away at the age of 75. He had recently revealed his battle with cancer and a broken back. According to a statement on a website set up to support his medical care, Johansen passed away peacefully in the presence of his wife Mara Hennessey and daughter Leah, surrounded by music and flowers. Despite never reaching the top charts, Johansen and his band are considered highly influential figures in the rock industry. They played a significant role in bridging the gap between glam rock and the emerging punk scene in New York City. New York Dolls’ songs, such as “Personality Crisis,” which featured Johansen’s powerful vocals, have been hailed as some of the greatest rock tracks of the 1970s. Johansen also pursued a solo career under the pseudonym Buster Poindexter, exploring different genres and achieving success with his cover of the holiday anthem “Hot Hot Hot.” He had an acting career, including a role as the Ghost of Christmas Past in the film “Scrooged” and also worked as a radio host and painter.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/mar/01/david-johansen-frontman-of-new-york-dolls-dies-aged-75