New York Dolls’ David Johansen Reveals Stage Four Cancer Diagnosis

David Johansen, frontman of the legendary New York Dolls, has revealed he’s battling stage four cancer, calling it “the worst pain I’ve ever experienced in my entire life.”

His daughter, Leah Hennessey, has launched a fundraiser to help cover his medical expenses, as the punk icon now requires full-time care.

According to Hennessey, Johansen has been undergoing intensive cancer treatment for most of the last decade. In 2020, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour, which led to further complications. Then, last November, he suffered a serious fall, breaking his back in two places. Despite keeping his health struggles private, the mounting costs of treatment have made it impossible to stay silent.

“He’s never made his diagnosis public, as he and my mother Mara are generally very private people,” the fundraiser states. “But we feel compelled to share this now due to the increasingly severe financial burden our family is facing.”

In a statement to Brooklyn Vegan, Johansen reflected on the challenges he’s facing:

“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. 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.”

The fundraiser, created in partnership with the Sweet Relief Musician Fund, is seeking to cover the cost of full-time nursing care, physical therapy, and daily living expenses. Hennessey emphasised that while Johansen remains as sharp and witty as ever, his physical condition has reached a point where specialised professional help is necessary.

As the face of the New York Dolls, Johansen helped lay the groundwork for punk rock in the early ‘70s, influencing everyone from the Sex Pistols to The Ramones. His impact on music is undeniable, and now, after decades of giving everything to his art, he needs support.

Fans and supporters can contribute to the fundraiser here.