logo
David Johansen, singer from seminal punk band New York Dolls, dies aged 75

David Johansen, singer from seminal punk band New York Dolls, dies aged 75

Sky News01-03-2025

David Johansen, the singer from seminal punk band the New York Dolls, has died at the age of 75.
Formed in the early 1970s, the New York Dolls redefined rock and roll, providing the blueprint for British punk bands such as the Sex Pistols and The Clash, and inspiring the glam-metal movement.
Johansen died "peacefully" at his home in New York City on Friday, his family said.
He was "holding the hands of his wife Mara Hennessey and stepdaughter Leah, in the sunlight surrounded by music and flowers", they added.
Johansen's death comes just weeks after the singer's family said he had stage 4 cancer and a brain tumour.
His daughter Leah shared the diagnosis as she launched a crowdfunding campaign to help cover healthcare costs.
Sharing news of the singer's death on the page, his family said: "He was thankful that he had a chance to be in touch with so many friends and family before he passed.
"He knew he was ecstatically loved."
There will be "several events celebrating David's life and artistry" announced in due course, they added.
Johansen began his career as a singer with the Vagabond Missionaries in the late 1960s, before being invited to join the New York Dolls in 1971.
While the band - whose tracks include Personality Crisis and Looking For A Kiss - were critically acclaimed, they never found commercial success and broke up after two albums by the middle of the decade.
Despite their split after just five years, the Dolls' presence in the early punk scene had an undeniable impact on the music world.
Shortly after their demise, the band were quoted as a major influence on British bands including The Clash, The Damned and the Sex Pistols - whose deprecating track New York is about the Dolls.
Their style - women's clothes, heavy makeup and teased hair - inspired the glam-metal movement that emerged with acts such as Mötley Crüe a decade later.
Johansen embarked on a solo career after the band split and released albums under both his own name and the pseudonym Buster Poindexter.
In 2004, the band's three surviving members - Johansen, Arthur 'Killer' Kane' and Sylvain Sylvain - reunited and continued performing until 2011.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sean 'Diddy' Combs' lawyer makes his ex-girlfriend read loving texts until she cries
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' lawyer makes his ex-girlfriend read loving texts until she cries

The Independent

time22 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Sean 'Diddy' Combs' lawyer makes his ex-girlfriend read loving texts until she cries

A defense lawyer for hip-hop entrepreneur Sean 'Diddy' Combs had his ex-girlfriend read aloud a slew of loving text messages she'd sent him over the past few years until she broke down in tears Wednesday on the witness stand. The second day of cross-examination by attorney Teny Geragos seemed aimed at supporting the defense position that the woman, who testified under the pseudonym ' Jane,' was a willing participant in the sometimes-weekly sex with male sex workers that Combs directed and watched for hours. Geragos and Jane read aloud dozens of text messages exchanged during a relationship that stretched from 2021 until Combs was arrested last September. At one point, Jane read a text saying she had 'never had a man take care of me like you do' and professing her unending love for the entertainment icon — before Jane stopped reading and began sniffling, then dabbed tears from her eyes with a tissue. After prosecutors objected and requested a sidebar conversation with the judge away from the jury, Jane sat slumped in the witness chair, hair hanging over one side of her face. At the defense table, Combs was quietly reading from one of the TV monitors in front of him. It was the fifth day of testimony for Jane, who has said she still loves Combs. She previously discussed gaining insight into her relationship with Combs after three months of therapy. Jane also said she never wanted to have sex with any man except Combs but did so to please him. At other points on Wednesday, Geragos elicited from Jane that she frequently became angry at Combs and wanted to end their relationship because she got upset that he was treating other girlfriends better. In one instance, Jane acknowledged, the Bad Boy Records founder even bought another girlfriend jewelry that was a matching set to jewelry he had given Jane. Prosecutors say they charged Combs with sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy because he used threats, drugs and violence to force women into unwelcome sexual experiences and used his employees and associates to help him get what he wanted. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he faces 15 years to life in prison. The testimony Wednesday came during a shortened day in the courtroom that began in the afternoon. Geragos said she expected to finish her cross-examination Thursday morning. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey, who is leading the prosecution, said the government expects to rest its case as early as next Wednesday. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo would not outline what will occur when the defense gets its turn to call witnesses, saying that will depend on which witnesses the government still calls to the stand, but he said he was confident the trial will end by July Fourth.

Trump reveals the 'unusual' classical musical instrument he used to play as a child
Trump reveals the 'unusual' classical musical instrument he used to play as a child

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

Trump reveals the 'unusual' classical musical instrument he used to play as a child

President Donald Trump has revealed which classical instrument he practiced when he was a youngster. Speaking with New York Post columnist Miranda Devine on her Pod Force One podcast this week, the Republican shared that he showed an ear for music at an early age. 'I played, like very short periods of time, the flute,' Trump revealed. 'Do you believe that?' 'I had flute lessons,' the president continued flashing a smile. 'That's the first person that's ever asked me that crazy question.' 'I could have been a flutist,' he joked. The Republican's mother urged a young Donald Trump to take up lessons, Trump shared. 'My mother had me with, I had instructors, an instructor coming to teach me how to play the flute,' he added. He began playing around age 11 or 12 after taking an 'aptitude' test that showed he was gifted musically, Trump said. 'I think I have an ear for music,' the 78-year-old proclaimed. The president has a varied taste in music ranging from disco anthems like YMCA to American classics from Frank Sinatra, and even opera. 'I play great music,' Trump said on the podcast. 'People like the music I play.' Though, when it came to the flute lessons, he shared: 'I didn't particularly like it, wasn't for me.' The Republican admitted that his musical selection was an 'unusual instrument' and that he doubts he can still play. 'They came up to my father, they said, 'your son is brilliant at music. He can be an incredible musician,'' Trump recounted to the columnist during a 45-minute interview. 'This is not what my father wanted to hear,' the president continued. 'You know, this was not the greatest thing ever.' The president revealed that as a kid he used to be able to recall which musical notes were played hours before, impressing his teachers. 'They play a note and, like, on a piano, and then I remember to this day, and then they ask you other questions, and then they play notes later on and say which is the note we played from one hour ago.' 'And I'd like get it right, I guess, but that was a long time ago,' Trump said. 'But I do have an ear for music.' Speaking to Rolling Stone in 2015 Trump revealed some of his favorite bands, adding he is also friends with some of the top musicians in the world. 'Aerosmith and Steven Tyler are terrific. Jon Bon Jovi is a great guy. Pavarotti was a dear friend of mine.' 'I knew Michael Jackson very well, he had tremendous talent. Paul McCartney is a terrific guy,' Trump said during his 2015 campaign.

Harris Yulin dead at 88: Ghostbusters II and Scarface star passes as cause of death is revealed
Harris Yulin dead at 88: Ghostbusters II and Scarface star passes as cause of death is revealed

Daily Mail​

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Harris Yulin dead at 88: Ghostbusters II and Scarface star passes as cause of death is revealed

Harris Yulin - who was known for his work on films Ghostbusters II and Scarface - has died at 88. The talented actor of stage and screen died of cardiac arrest in New York on Tuesday. His death was announced by his family and manager Sue Leibman. In Ghostbusters II (1989) he portrayed Judge Stephen Wexler who famously presided over the case involving the ghost fighting group. In Scarface (1983) he starred as Mel Bernstein who was a corrupt Miami Police Detective on the payroll of drug lord Frank Lopez (Robert Loggia) who attempts to extort Tony Montana (Al Pacino).

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store