David Johansen, the former lead singer of the punk band New York Dolls, has died at age 75 on Friday at his home in New York.
Earlier this month, Johansen announced he was suffering from stage four cancer, a brain tumor and a broken back.
Hennessey shared news of his diagnosis in a Sweet Relief fundraiser for her father’s medical expenses.
She disclosed that he had undergone intensive treatment for most of the past decade, and in 2020, his illness advanced, leading to the development of a brain tumor.
The family had chosen to keep Johansen’s health issues confidential, but they have now decided to share the information due to the significant financial strain caused by the expenses of his treatment.
Tragically, Johansen suffered fractures in two places on his back from a fall down the stairs the day after Thanksgiving. He had a successful surgery and was hospitalized for a week following the incident.
David Johansen, the former lead singer of the punk band New York Dolls, has died at age 75 on Friday at his home in New York
However he ‘has been bedridden and incapacitated,’ Leah, whose mother is David’s wife Mara Hennessey, wrote.
‘Due to the trauma, David’s illness has progressed exponentially and my mother is caring for him around the clock.’
‘To continue his treatment and give him the best chance of recovery, David and Mara will need full time assistance. As hilarious and wise as David continues to be, he is physically debilitated and his care exceeds what we are capable of providing without specialized professional help,’ Hennessey added.
While her father has earned a living as a singer and actor for nearly 60 years, Hennessey explained he has not been able to work as a performer in the last five years.
‘Our most immediate needs are full time nursing, physical therapy and funding for day to day vital living expenses. With professional specialized care, we are hopeful that David can regain some mobility and independence,’ Hennessey said.
The fundraiser did not specify exactly what kind of cancer Johansen is battling.
It contained photos of David with Leah and Mara, along with a photo of the musician in the hospital.
In a statement obtained by Rolling Stone, Johansen called the latest development in his health ordeal ‘the worst pain’ he had ever endured.
Earlier this month, Johansen announced he was suffering from stage four cancer, a brain tumor and a broken back
‘We’ve been living with my illness for a long time, still having fun, seeing friends and family, carrying on, but this tumble the day after Thanksgiving really brought us to a whole new level of debilitation,’ he explained.
‘This is the worst pain I’ve ever experienced in my entire life. I’ve never been one to ask for help, but this is an emergency. Thank you.’
A musician and actor, Johansen served as the lead singer and songwriter for the legendary punk-rock band New York Dolls before embarking on his own solo career.
He has also created music as his alter ego, Buster Poindexter, including the 1987 hit Hot Hot Hot.
As an actor, Johansen has numerous credits under his name, including a role as the Ghost of Christmas Past in the 1988 Bill Murray-led dark comedy Scrooged.
His family’s fundraiser reveals Johansen currently hosts The Mansion of Fun, a weekly radio show on SiriusXM.
He also had an exhibition of his paintings at the Elliot Temple Fine Arts gallery in New York over the summer.
A documentary about Johansen that was directed by Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi, Personality Crisis: One Night Only, was released in 2022.
