David Johansen, the lead vocalist of New York Dolls, has been confirmed to be battling Stage 4 brain cancer.
As a pioneer of the initial wave of New York punk, the musician merged doo-wop tunes and girl group structures with gritty street knowledge—and a heavy dose of eyeliner.
The New York Dolls essentially established the blueprints for punk rock, releasing two outstanding studio albums before disbanding. Johansen later pursued a solo career that shifted from blues performances with The Harry Smiths to a notable acting portfolio, including his role in the holiday classic Scrooged alongside Bill Murray.
The band reunited in the 21st century, but unfortunately, David Johansen remains the sole surviving member, following the death of Sylvain Sylvain in 2021.
This week, it has come to light that Johansen has been undergoing treatment for brain cancer. His fight has reportedly spanned nearly ten years, as the singer has been dealing with the illness privately.
Now at Stage 4, the last few years have posed numerous challenges for him—escalating medical expenses, increasingly intense treatment, and to make matters worse, he suffered a fractured back in two places after a fall at home.
In a recent message, his family has sought assistance. "To sustain his treatment and provide him with the best chance at recovery, David and Mara (his wife) will require full-time support. While David remains as witty and insightful as ever, he is physically compromised, and his care exceeds what we can manage without specialized professional assistance."
"David has been a dedicated singer and actor for nearly sixty years, bringing joy to fans around the globe. However, for the past five years, he has been unable to perform.”
“Our immediate needs include full-time nursing, physical therapy, and financial support for essential living costs. With professional specialized care, we hope to help David regain some mobility and independence.”
The appeal has garnered significant attention on social media, with Sopranos actor and avid music enthusiast Michael Imperioli stating: “To everyone moved by his musical brilliance and who has celebrated to his iconic songs, let’s express our gratitude and assist David and his family during this challenging time.”
Donations can be made HERE.
Related: David Johansen Discusses New York Dolls
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It has been confirmed that David Johansen, the frontman of the New York Dolls, is battling Stage 4 brain cancer. The artist was at the forefront of the initial wave of what would