David Johansen, flamboyant New York Dolls frontman, dies at 75
David Johansen, the frontman and last surviving member of the flamboyantly gritty proto-punk band New York Dolls has died. He was 75.
Johnasen died at his home in Staten Island, N.Y., as confirmed by his daughter Leah Hennessy to multiple outlets. Johansen had suffered from Stage 4 cancer and a broken back in recent years, according to Johansen's fundraiser on Sweet Relief, a music charity.
In the New York Dolls, Johansen defined an era when '70s glam rock was getting leaner and meaner as the seeds of punk rock began to sow. With a transgressive gender-bending style — lipstick and eyeliner, skin-tight leather and pinup-worthy hair — the Dolls were under-heralded in an era still dominated by arena-rock giants.
But amid a wave of acts like MC5, T. Rex and Suicide, they recast rock 'n' roll Americana and British Invasion panache for a new era of decadent, insistent and streetwise music that would become punk.
'Brimming with a sloppy insouciance, their debut album often is cited as one of the building blocks of the late '70s punk movement,' The Times wrote in an early review. 'There's no denying David Johansen's bratty vocalizing… But unlike the MC5 — fellow revolutionaries who more directly presaged the hard-core aspects of the coming punk rebellion — the Dolls had clearer roots in the rock mainstream.'
Johansen, a Staten Island native, joined the Dolls in 1971, playing an auspicious early gig at a local homeless shelter. Their instantly arresting look pulled from David Bowie's androgyny and the drag-culture underground in New York. Johansen had the sharp, pouty features of Mick Jagger, but the sneer and savvy of his hometown.
'All the record companies have been to see us,' Johansen told Rolling Stone in 1972. 'They think we're too outrageous. They know we're real and we'll stop at nothing, and it scares the s— outta them.'
The group's self-titled 1973 debut LP — featuring the members in full regalia on the cover — had the bones of a future rock classic. Produced by Todd Rundgren, the LP sported tracks like 'Personality Crisis,' 'Bad Girl' and 'Trash' that packed tons of girl-group melody and grimy, loose-limbed riffing (courtesy of guitarist Johnny Thunders) into a few short minutes. 'Lonely Planet Boy,' a more somber acoustic ballad, and bluesy 'Looking For A Kiss' showed a genuine range and close study of rock history.
The album was acclaimed in the era's small circle of tastemakers — they were beloved at the Mercer Arts Center, a downtown club frequented by Andy Warhol. The Smiths' frontman Morrissey was entranced by a BBC broadcast of the Dolls' performing 'Jet Boy,' and became president of their U.K. fan club. But the LP sold poorly, peaking at No. 116 on the Billboard charts. Their followup, 1974's 'Too Much Too Soon,' didn't make much commercial impact either.
Addiction issues sidelined much of the band, and despite a late-career management shift to the Sex Pistols' svengali Malcolm McLaren, the Dolls broke up in 1976.
Johansen reemerged as a solo act indebted to the Dolls' catalog, often playing with former bandmate Sylvain Sylvain. Yet he had an unexpected pop resurgence in the '80s after re-inventing himself as Buster Poindexter, a louche lounge-lizard persona that scored an unlikely Hot 100 hit and MTV fixture with a cover of the calypso staple 'Hot Hot Hot' (even if, as he later claimed, the song was 'the bane of my existence').
The novelty hit also attracted attention from Hollywood. Johansen made his TV debut in a 1985 episode of 'Miami Vice,' and won roles as the Ghost of Christmas Past in the beloved Bill Murray 1988 holiday staple 'Scrooged' and as a priest in 'Married to the Mob.' That kicked off a busy career as a character actor in the '80s and '90s, in films including 'Let it Ride' and 'Mr. Nanny.'
A Dolls reunion seemed unlikely — Thunders and drummer Jerry Nolan each died in 1991. But in 2004, the group's three surviving members reunited for a Morrissey-curated edition of the Meltdown festival in London.
'[Morrissey] called me, and he said, 'I understand you're a pretty big Maria Callas fan,'' Johansen said in the 2022 documentary 'Personality Crisis: One Night Only.' 'He said, 'Well, you know that film she made where she did a fantastic concert at the Royal Festival Hall?.. How would you like to play the Royal Festival Hall?… All you have to do is get the Dolls back together.''
'I combed every opium den in Chinatown, and I pulled that band together,' Johansen said. 'We were fantastic.'
Although bassist Arthur 'Killer' Kane died weeks later that year, Johansen and Sylvain continued on with a new Dolls lineup and released three more albums, 2006's 'One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This,' 2009's 'Cause I Sez So,' and 2011's 'Dancing Backward in High Heels.'
To support the last record, the Dolls opened for Mötley Crüe and Poison — '80s stadium acts with deep debts, the Dolls' fashion sense and hooky hard rock — on a massive tour, but did not return to the road or studio afterward.
In 2020, director Martin Scorsese — a '70s New York peer and Dolls devotee — teamed with David Tedeschi to film a Johansen solo set at New York's Café Carlyle. They used it as the backbone of the 2022 documentary 'Personality Crisis: One Night Only,' tracing Johansen's life and immeasurable impact on an era of rock.
'Over the years, in the history books…[it] would always say, 'They were trashy. They were flashy. They were drug addicts. They were drag queens,'' Johansen told Terry Gross in 2004. 'That whole kind of trashy blah, blah, blah thing over the years kind of settled in my mind as, oh, yeah, that's what it was, you know? And then by going back to it and deconstructing it, and then putting it back together again, I realized that, you know, it really is art.'
Johansen's survivors include wife Mara Hennessey and daughter Leah Hennessey.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
3 days ago
- Buzz Feed
37 Perfect Summer Birthday Gift Ideas
A rechargeable heated ice cream scoop so they won't have to wait for their Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey Ice Cream to soften before *literally* digging in. Not a moment to waste!!! Plus, an ice cream cozy because their cravings for frozen sweet treats grow even more during the summer months. They can use this helpful friend to happily hold onto their favorite pint without freezing their fingers off. A trendy beaded bag that'll have your bestie *~thinkin' pink~* for the rest of the summer as they sling it over their shoulder and brag about it to anyone willing to listen. The best part is it's *just* as cute as the popular (but very pricey) Staud bags you've likely seen out and about. A stress relief coloring book from Coco Wyo (a TikTok famous brand known for creating the most adorable coloring books) featuring big, easy-to-color pictures they'll take one look at and want to scream, "THIS IS SO CUTE!!!!!" right before canceling their evening plans to spend it with their markers instead. Murdle, Volume 1, a compilation of murder mystery–themed logic puzzles that are reminiscent of the ever-popular Wordle game — perfect for cracking open poolside. This version will encourage them to use powers of deduction and various clues to solve the mysteries throughout the book. Sherlock Holmes, who? An Americana-themed tote bag for your pal with a Fourth of July birthday who loves nothing more than embracing a theme. Just watch out for Uncle Sam, because he'll be trying to snag this beauty for himself. A sand-free blanket designed so that sand (or dirt) rolls right off it — because is there anything worse than finding debris in every crevice of your car after lounging at the beach all day? It can fit four adults on it, folds up nice 'n' small, and will become your bestie's go-to for all of their summer hangs. Playful clips that are as practical as they are pretty — they'll hold their towel in place on their chair so they won't have to chase it across the pool deck and can focus on more important things like sipping on a margarita. A palm leaf print satin pajama set with a ruffled hemline on the shorts that'll make them feel put-together even if their only birthday plans include treating themselves to their favorite takeout on the couch, and the only person who will see them wearing them is their mom on FaceTime. An assortment of tomato seed packets that have been designed to look like tarot cards — aka the perfect gift for your friend who has both witchy vibes *and* a green thumb. A "Beverage Buddee" can cover they can add to their Diet Coke can or preferred spiked seltzer. It'll keep bugs and other random debris out of their drink (yuck) so they can enjoy it while you kick back in Adirondack chairs and exchange gossip without concern. An Owala FreeSip water bottle in an exciting color that'll ensure no one ever picks up theirs by mistake while they're chatting up the cute lifeguard at the pool this summer. Not to mention, it's made of triple-layered, vacuum-insulated stainless steel that'll keep their drink cold for 24 hours *and* two ways to drink from it (a spout and a straw!) A neck reading light that's easy on the eyes, simpler to manage than a clip-on light, and a welcome addition to their nightly routine of falling asleep while reading a beachy romance novel. Speaking of romance novels, they'll love this deluxe edition of rom-com genius Emily Henry's Beach Read with endpapers and sprayed edges designed to look like a stunning sunset. Don't get me started on the shimmering, updated cover. Their bookshelf is going to BEG you to add this to their collection. And a personalized book stamp they can use to literally make their mark in the novels they typically loan out to fellow book club buds. A heart-shaped silicone ice cube tray for the summer bb in your life — spruce up their iced coffees and Long Island iced teas with a little love in the form of these cubes. 💕 Or a "float-tea unicorn," aka the reusable tea infuser of their wackiest dreams. When a summer storm rolls in to destroy their plans of lounging by the pool, they can nurse a cozy cup of tea alongside this festive friend until it passes. A JBL portable speaker that's both waterproof *and* dust-proof (incredible) and will help them pump up the jams during their next pool or beach day — it easily clips onto a chair, so no worries about having to physically carry it around. An indoor-outdoor hammock chair with the ability to soothingly rock them to sleep for a nice midday nap or make them feel like they're on vacation, even if they're stuck listening to someone mow their lawn or a neighbor's yappy dog. A funnel cake–inspired milk chocolate truffle bar that'll bring them back to the magic of their childhood, where they spent their summers hanging at the boardwalk, eating too-sweet treats, and riding questionable rollercoasters. A pickleball set to pay homage to their new favorite hobby! It comes with two paddles, four balls, and a bag to ensure they have the best-looking gear of all their competitors. Their nemesis' hot streak is about to be OVER! And a pickleball tote bag with a specific attachment to store paddles, plus ample space for balls and accessories so they can focus on crushing their smack-talking neighbor Steve instead of rummaging through an unorganized duffel. A luggage drink caddy that'll attach to their wheeled luggage on the many summer adventures they've got lined up this season. They can use it to hold their Dunkin' coffee, phone, ID, etc., and prevent them from fumbling around for all those items while heading to the gate at the airport. And a retro-inspired high-cut one-piece to justify a coordinating Instagram grid–worthy photoshoot during your next beach trip together — this suit deserves recognition. A gold-plated station necklace from affordable (and fabulous) jewelry brand Pavoi, whose sole mission seems to be finding a way to glam up all of our looks without having to gobble up all of our dollars. Or a dazzling tennis bracelet no one would guess cost you less than 20 bucks! It's 14-karat gold-plated, has a reliable clasp, and will add the perfect amount of sparkle to their daily stack. Plus a splurge-worthy custom pave nameplate necklace you can personalize with the nickname you've been calling them since you bonded over a hatred for math in seventh grade. A lightweight tinted lip balm with a touch of gloss that'll be perfect for upgrading your bestie's makeup lineup — it'll add some color to their pout but keep it looking au natural. Plus, it's super similar to the viral Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm. Or a trio of ColourPop Lilo & Stitch lip glosses shaped like popsicles (can you EVENNNN?!) that'll provide their pout with a nonsticky, ultra-glossy sheen while also leaving it nice 'n' hydrated and honoring their fave movie. Each one is filled with nourishing elements like hyaluronic acid, Kakadu plum, and sweet cherry oil. Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 59 Hair & Body Perfume Mist, designed to channel the brand's ever-popular Cheirosa 62 but with a more woodsy vibe that's perhaps more fitting to their preference. It has delectable notes of sandalwood and vanilla orchid — so good they'll want to bask in their own scent all day. Or a bottle of Dossier's "Ambery Vanilla" perfume you know they'll adore since you were with them when they tried the sample size of YSL's Black Opium at the mall and fell in love with it but didn't have $95 to shell out. Luckily for them (and your wallet), this one is super similar and will leave you with enough money left to *also* treat both of you to lunch. Disney tumbler glasses featuring none other than Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck — they can fill 'em up with iced coffee, lemonade, or whatever other refreshing beverage they prefer to add some extra magic into their summer celebrations. And colorful Mickey Mouse–shaped melamine plates for the Disney Adult in your life who loves hosting outdoor watch parties of the classic '90s flicks (when they're not planning a trip to the parks, obvs). Double-buckle slides to replace the Birkenstocks they've worn so much they can feel the cement with each step they take. These are just as comfortable but come in more playful styles. A Vineyard Vines pullover featuring a super soft terrycloth material they'll want to live in during their entire East Coast summer. How cute is this going to look in their lobster roll selfies?! A luxurious jar of Ouai whipped body cream packed with cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, and squalane to help soften their skin while moisturizing it. It'll be a nice upgrade to the likely expired one they've been using for *too* long. And a birthday card featuring a custom Taylor Swift Lego MiniFig any Swiftie and collector will adore — you might just find them plucking her right off the card and singing, "You are the best thing that's ever been mine!"
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Jared Jewelers Gets Intimate With Its ‘Love Highway' Campaign
Jared Jewelers is redefining and modernizing itself, beginning with its summer 2025 campaign themed 'Love Highway,' directed by advertising and creative guru David Lipman. The campaign, which kicks off this week, stars model Taylor Hill and her husband Daniel Fryer, a venture capitalist and private equity executive. More from WWD Tender Store Owner Cheryl Daskas Dies at 71 Suite Talk: Frank Darling's Kegan Fisher on Making the Move From Tech to Art The History Behind the World's Most Expensive Tiaras: From Elizabeth Taylor's Mike Todd Headpiece to the $12.7 Million Henckel von Donnersmarck Tiara and More The campaign depicts 'a real, pure relationship' between a man and a woman away on a road trip that winds up in the West, Lipman said. Shot to a large extent at the Four Aces retro movie set in the Mojave Desert, where David Lynch's 'Twin Peaks' was also shot. The campaign is framed by iconic Americana backdrops like neon-lit diners, open highways and red rock canyons and features several of Jared's elevated yet wearable silhouettes layered together — including sleek gold forms, organic diamond details and modern heirlooms. 'The intent is to lift Jared up, make it more relevant, au courant, so it's not just speaking as a retailer, but giving it a brand expression for women and men of today,' Lipman said. 'The codes and the DNA stay intact, while giving Jared a strong brand voice and never losing the jeweler within.' While the image is being modernized, Jared continues to be an 'accessible luxury' brand. The campaign 'really talks to a modern American woman,' who is not just receiving diamonds on those singular moments in life, like an engagement or a birthday, but also purchases for herself, Lipman said. 'Love Highway is a reflection of who we are as a brand and the direction we're intentionally heading,' Jared president Claudia Cividino said in a prepared statement. 'We understand that today's consumers are looking for more than just beautiful jewelry; they want meaning, authenticity and emotional connection. This work captures all of that. It represents our commitment to storytelling that feels real and relevant, jewelry that holds significance and a luxury experience that's emotionally grounded and accessible. 'As we continue to evolve, we're embracing a more intimate and personal lens, one that reflects the individuality and style of the people we serve,' Cividino said. 'This campaign is a celebration of love in all its forms, and of the journey each person takes to express and honor it.' Jared's Love Highway campaign will continue at least through the fall. The campaign also unveils a new tag line, 'Jared. Your Journey,' which according to a statement from the brand evokes life's journeys and the ways jewelry can celebrate and mark milestones along the way. 'With Love Highway, we wanted to convey intimacy and layered storytelling in a way that aligns with how today's consumers experience love, self-expression and style,' Lipman said. 'This moment is about more than just aesthetics. It's about emotional connection.' Jared, a division of Signet Jewelers, is striving to increase its relevancy to today's customers in other ways as well. In December, Cividino told WWD that Jared stores are being renovated, lightened up and elevated with new product displayed in freestanding vitrines to encourage closer, side-by-side interactions between associates and shoppers discovering the jewelry. Those traditional, extended glass vitrines that create more of a separation between shoppers and staff are being replaced, and the color palettes of store interiors are changing from dark brown to tourmaline, sunstone and topaz. There's also an updated, shorter, scripted logo that reads Jared Jewelers, which replaces the rather long-in-tooth Jared the Galleria nameplate, among other changes. 'We've placed such an emphasis on creating a sense of intimacy,' Cividino said. 'We are evolving our way of selling to be more modern.' Best of WWD Macy's Is Closing 66 Stores in 2025 — Here's the List, Live Updates Inside the Demise of Lord & Taylor COVID-19 Spikes Elevate Retail Concerns
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business Wire
Jared Jewelers Launches Summer 2025 'Love Highway' Campaign, Marking a Bold Brand Evolution for a New Generation
AKRON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jared Jewelers, the high-end, accessible luxury brand within Signet Jewelers, today announces the launch of its Summer 2025 brand campaign, Love Highway, starring supermodel Taylor Hill and her husband Daniel Fryer. Directed by globally renowned creative visionary David Lipman, the campaign signals a defining moment in Jared Jewelers' evolution as it reaches a new generation of consumers who seek a luxury experience with depth, connection, and meaning. Set against the vast, dreamlike landscapes of the American Southwest, Love Highway tells an intimate, cinematic story of two people on a journey together and individually. Framed by iconic Americana backdrops like neon-lit diners, open highways, and red rock canyons, the campaign captures what modern luxury looks like today: intentional, emotionally resonant, and deeply personal. Claudia Cividino, President of Jared Jewelers, emphasized that Love Highway represents more than a seasonal campaign. 'The consumer culture has shifted and Jared is evolving to meet the moment,' she said. 'This is a statement of who we are and where we're headed as a brand. We're redefining what meaningful, accessible luxury looks like for today's style-driven audience.' At the heart of the campaign is the real-life couple, Hill and Fryer, whose off-screen chemistry brings a rare authenticity to the story. The campaign showcases their connection through subtle gestures, shared moments, and a visual language that feels both spontaneous and timeless. 'With Love Highway, we wanted to convey intimacy and layered storytelling in a way that aligns with how today's consumers experience love, self-expression, and style,' said David Lipman, Creative Director of the campaign. 'This moment is about more than just aesthetics. It's about emotional connection.' The Jared Jewelers Summer 2025 collection featured in the campaign reflects this emotional approach to design. With elevated yet wearable silhouettes layered together – sleek gold forms, organic diamond details, and modern heirlooms – the collection redefines accessible luxury for a new era. Each piece is crafted to resonate with those who value both style and significance. To view the Love Highway campaign and discover the Jared Jewelers Summer 2025 collection, visit About Jared Jewelers Jared Jewelers is operated by Signet Jewelers Limited, the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry. Jared is redefining how luxury is felt and expressed, through unique and memorable customer experiences to an array of on-trend, high-quality 18K gold and diamond fine jewelry fashion. For additional information on Jared® Jewelry visit and like us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram. About Signet Jewelers Signet Jewelers Limited is the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry. As a Purpose-driven and sustainability-focused company, Signet is a participant in the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. Signet operates approximately 2,600 stores primarily under the name brands of Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, Diamonds Direct, Blue Nile, James Allen, Rocksbox, Peoples Jewellers, H. Samuel, and Ernest Jones. Further information on Signet is available at See also
