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David Johansen
1950 - 2025
David Johansen
1950 - 2025
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1950
DIED
2025
David Johansen Obituary
David Johansen was the frontman for the glammy proto-punk band the New York Dolls, who ended up being one of the most influential of the era, and also had a solo career under the name Buster Poindexter.
We invite you to share condolences for David Johansen in our Guest Book.
Read the full obituary in Legacy's headline news section.
(Photo: Randy Bachman/Getty Images)
28 Entries
Martin
April 11, 2025
Personality Crisis CD... with banter...
Gregory Patton
April 11, 2025
Rick and Roll Hall of Fame. They should be inducted! Geez!
bernard campbell buford
April 8, 2025
dont bring me down / john "seanny myers' reversed engines merchant marine but coast guard my parners dad ebay dealers siny
Natalie Constantine
April 6, 2025
I was one of your many devout fans ! Loved all your songs especially; heart of gold !
I saw you live at the Bitter End with the Banchees of B and in my hometown of Montreal
I had a crush on your back up singer:Ivy !
Just learned of your loss in a PEOPLE magazine with Meghan Markle on its cover .. it should have been your cover !
Hate cancer !
RIP .. going to find your CDS and listen again ..
your music brought so much joy to my young 20 something years while living in NYC
Natalie
How you can show support
Martin Troel
April 1, 2025
We really need a CD release of Personality Crisis: One Night Only. David was the GREATEST.
Gregory Patton
March 31, 2025
I was with them from the beginning to the end!
Gregory Patton
March 31, 2025
Laur Grimshaw
March 27, 2025
May you and your family find peace, David Johansen, in the infinity of the universe and the comfort of each other on Earth. Your art helped save us. Many blessings.
Lorraine Baker
March 20, 2025
I grew up with a lot of my mom's albums and one of them was The NY Dolls! And I'm LUCKY to grow up in an era of 60's -70's bands! David was INTELLIGENT, very smart and a great actor! What OTHER musician out there?? Can TOP David's acting?? He had a nice chat/dinner with chef Bourdain. I watched his LAST show, which was in a basement bar (mentioned Covid) and he talked about his past and sang a few of the Dolls songs. Love ya' David!
Cullen D Silva
March 15, 2025
Dear Mara and Leah, We are so sorry for the tremendous loss of beloved David. We are David's cousins from the Cullen side of the family/ my first name as I was named after my grandparents. We spent much time visiting at family gatherings growing up in Staten Island and Long Island. David would ask his family to drive him to Long Island " I want to go see Uncle Jim" my grandfather James Cullen and us as we lived close by. At David's house he showed us how to play his bongo drums and autoharp. He told us so proudly of the band he joined, the Vagabond Missionaries. We kept in touch at family gatherings and we followed up on all through these years and of course now with the updated posts and performances from the past. I saw him at the Boston Paradise Theater as the David Johanson Group. We met you, Mara before you and David were married after the show in Fort Worth Texas after the group returned from the European Tour as the re emerged New York Dolls when we were visiting my brother KC there. The last I saw David and his sister Karen was at my Dad's Jim Doris' funeral in July 2017 on Long Island . We always connected so well. No matter how busy David was, he took time out for family. Our hearts go out to you! David is so missed, there are no words. Sincerely, Cullen Doris Silva, KC/Kevin Doris, Brian Doris and Megan Doris Krumbholz. Our sister, the youngest Maureen Doris Leightenburger passed in January 2016.
Patricia Earle
March 14, 2025
Coming from the same neighborhood in Staten Island, NY I used to spot him in the grocery store and at the Fence/art show at the park, sadly, no more. You will be missed by many!
Lisa Weiner
March 14, 2025
To David Johansen,
You were a very talented entertainer. I loved your song feeling hot hot. My prayers are with your family and friends. Lisa Weiner.,
Mickie McClellan
March 13, 2025
My fondest memory of David was in the late 60´s meeting in Palermo´s Restaurant, Bulls Head, mornings before going to High School....I can still see David in his corduroy jacket with the patches on the sleeves, dockers....Beatle hair cut....thanks for the memories.......RIP David
Joyce Chambers
March 12, 2025
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved ones today and always.
Flora Carnevale
March 12, 2025
Grateful I got to see David in several of his incarnations. The first few times as Buster Poindexter emceeing at Elvis Costello shows in 86 and 89. I was too young for the early Dolls but when they reformed in later years I was lucky enough to see them twice. What a great all-around showman and a total character. We've lost yet another irreplaceable and interesting creative force. RIP to the last Doll standing and condolences to his family.
Jennifer Baribault
March 11, 2025
RIP Celebrating the life eternally David Johnansen
Jennifer Baribault
March 11, 2025
Victoria Pember
March 10, 2025
Great memories of the music and was fortunate to see his solo tour at the Tower theartre ! My thoughts are with the family, you took loving care of him and I know how hard that is.
Diana Burgos
March 9, 2025
Those nights of Maxim Kansas city r gone but o what a night
Peter Nigido
March 6, 2025
Rest in peace my friend. Great memories with you on the campus Peter Nigido you are missed
Donna James
March 6, 2025
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope.
I saw him as Buster Poindexter during the 1990s on MTV, and his songs were awesome.
Remembering you and your loved one today and always. Rest in Peace, David.
Glenn Dellatacoma
March 5, 2025
To Mara and family, my deepest condolences. We enjoyed many pleasant afternoons at 4 with you and Dave; until we meet again
Charles Errichiello
March 5, 2025
Thank you for the music memories you have given all of us fans. I'm a former Staten Islander. I have told other of how much talent has come from that small Island. Thank you again, Charles. Errichiello.
Tom O'Brien
March 4, 2025
My name is Tom and I was an Elevator mechanic heading home on a downtown subway when I saw David and his wife Mara.
Mara was sitting to the left of David with her head on his shoulder while David was whistling this beautiful melody.
You could see the love between them and I didn't want to bother them.
As the train pulled into my stop at Penn station,David stopped whistling and as the doors opened I turned and said "David",he looked at me and I said,"Rock On".
With a big smile on his face,he closed his eyes pumped his fist in the air.
Thankyou for the music and the Memory
Forever Rock On David
Francis Casciato
March 4, 2025
Thank you David
Peter Roskowinski
March 4, 2025
Had fun riding bikes with you around West Brighton growing up and enjoyed many of your shows throughout the following years. You were a very intelligent, witty, creative and talented individual who was a pleasure to hang with. Rest in peace David.
Stephen ZOUL Ellison
March 4, 2025
Hello David, I have seen you More than 40 times and those were fun better days. Rest in Peace in the name of Jesus. Say Hello to Billy, Arthur, Johnny, Jerry and Sylvain. The New York Dolls was a Band that started ALL Punk New Wave Bands, and I've seen all of you more than once, including the Dolls. AMEN and Thank YOU
Elizabeth Bell
March 3, 2025
RIP David
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