If you’ve ever turned up the volume on a New York Dolls record, danced along to “Hot Hot Hot” without a care in the world, or found yourself captivated by the Ghost of Christmas Past in Scrooged, you owe a moment of gratitude to the one and only David Johansen. The ultimate shapeshifter of rock ‘n’ roll, Johansen was equal parts proto-punk legend, bluesman, jump-blues revivalist, and actor. He was a movement, a force.
Johansen’s passing today at the age of 75 marks the end of a remarkable career, one that saw him embody the raw rebellion of the Dolls, reinvent himself as the playful lounge crooner Buster Poindexter, and later emerge as a bluesman with The Harry Smiths. But his legacy? That’ll live forever in the swagger of punk bands, the swing of jump blues, and the genre-defying artists who refuse to be boxed in.
1. He Was Almost a Folk Star Before Punk Rock Took Over
Before the lipstick and ripped fishnets of the New York Dolls, David Johansen had a serious fascination with folk and blues music. Growing up in Staten Island, he was enamored with early blues artists and folk storytellers, something that would later emerge in his work with The Harry Smiths. He even cut his teeth performing Dylan-esque ballads in coffeehouses before the punk energy fully took hold. It wasn’t until he met Johnny Thunders and Sylvain Sylvain that his future in proto-punk was sealed.
2. He Helped Inspire The Clash’s First U.S. Tour
When The Clash first hit the U.S., they didn’t just look to CBGB bands for inspiration; they looked to the Dolls. Johansen’s flamboyant, in-your-face attitude left an undeniable mark on the British punk explosion. Joe Strummer often cited the Dolls as a major influence, and when The Clash finally landed in America in 1979, they turned to Johansen for guidance. He gave them insight into the American underground scene, proving that even outside of the Dolls, his influence ran deep.
3. His Buster Poindexter Persona Was Born Out of Frustration
Johansen loved rock ‘n’ roll, but after years of slugging it out in the underground, he wanted a break from it all. Enter Buster Poindexter, the martini-sipping, pompadour-sporting, wise-cracking lounge singer. The switch-up wasn’t just for show—it was a reaction to years of punk wear-and-tear. But even Johansen didn’t expect “Hot Hot Hot” to take over the world. He once jokingly referred to the song as “the bane of my existence,” as it overshadowed his serious work.
4. Martin Scorsese Was One of His Biggest Fans
If Martin Scorsese puts you in a documentary, you know you’ve made an impact. The legendary filmmaker was so enthralled by Johansen’s life that he co-directed Personality Crisis: One Night Only, an intimate look at Johansen’s transformation across decades. The film captured him performing at the Café Carlyle, blending his entire musical journey—from Dolls to Buster to blues—in a single night. Scorsese, known for his meticulous storytelling, saw Johansen as more than a musician; he saw him as an artist who embodied the evolution of American music.
5. He Had One of the Best Mixtapes on Radio
For years, Johansen hosted David Johansen’s Mansion of Fun on SiriusXM, spinning everything from obscure blues recordings to African tribal music, rockabilly rarities, jazz deep cuts, and beyond. His deep knowledge of music history turned the show into a hidden gem, a masterclass in the art of song curation. It was proof that his love of music wasn’t just about performance—it was about sharing, educating, and celebrating every note and lyric that ever moved him.
David Johansen never stood still. From the Dolls’ high-heeled revolution to the smoky lounges of Buster Poindexter to the soulful blues of The Harry Smiths, he spent his life chasing the music, always one step ahead of the trends. His passing is a loss, but his influence? That’s immortal.
So tonight, crank up “Personality Crisis.” Let his spirit fill the room. Because legends like Johansen don’t just fade away. They echo forever.
Rest easy, David. Thanks for the music.
