In the 1980s, Johansen’s foray into acting saw him grace the screens of popular television shows like “Miami Vice” and “Oz.” He even portrayed the Ghost of Christmas Past in the film “Scrooged,” alongside renowned actor Bill Murray. The surviving members of the legendary band New York Dolls regrouped in 2004, embarking on tours and releasing three studio albums, with the final one titled “Dancing Backwards in High Heels” in 2011, followed by “Live from the Bowery 2011.”
Renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese delved into Johansen’s life in the 2023 documentary “Personality Crisis: One Night Only,” a project co-directed by David Tedeschi. A snapshot from their reunion showcase at The Henry Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, California on May 21, 2009, captured Sylvain Sylvain and David Johansen of The New York Dolls illuminating the stage.
Johansen shared with Rolling Stone earlier this month the unfortunate incident of breaking his back in two separate incidents from falling down a flight of stairs. Subsequently, the family initiated collaboration with the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund due to the escalating financial strain faced by the family, as articulated by Johansen’s daughter, Leah Hennessey, on February 14.
A few weeks later, the family sorrowfully announced Johansen’s passing. The heartfelt statement on the Sweet Relief site expressed the family’s gratitude for the overwhelming love and support received in the wake of disclosing their challenges. Johansen was appreciative of reconnecting with numerous friends and family members before his departure, embracing the overwhelming affection he received saying, “He knew he was ecstatically loved.”
In a wave of tributes, both music aficionados and fellow artists flooded social media with messages honoring Johansen’s impact. Pearl Jam reminisced about the New York Dolls’ avant-garde influence during the burgeoning Seattle music scene in the early 1980s, highlighting the band’s significance during that era. Meanwhile, David Bowie Official mourned the loss of Johansen, recounting his unique contribution to rock music and sharing a touching tribute on his fund page.
The rock community bid farewell to a trailblazer as fans and colleagues paid their respects to David Johansen, a rock pioneer who left an indelible mark on the music industry.
Contributing: Taijuan Moorman. Follow Mike Snider on Threads, Bluesky, and X: mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider. Stay up-to-date with the latest buzz by signing up for our trending newsletter to catch the day’s top stories.
This article was initially published on USA TODAY: David Johansen of New York Dolls, Buster Poindexter fame, passes away at 75
