David Johansen, the iconic vocalist of the legendary punk band New York Dolls, has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, as revealed by his daughter in a poignant statement appealing for funds to support his medical battle. On February 10th, Leah Hennessy, through an emotional Instagram post, announced a collaboration with the Sweet Relief Musicians' Fund—an organization that extends financial aid to musicians and industry professionals grappling with health crises. She poignantly noted, "David is a legend, yet he is also my very flesh-and-blood, gravely ill father."
On the charity's official webpage, Hennessy elaborated on Johansen's health journey, stating, "For much of the past decade, David has been undergoing rigorous treatment for his advanced cancer." While she refrained from specifying the type of cancer, she disclosed that five years ago, it metastasized to form a brain tumor, adding, "Complications have ensued ever since. He and my mother, Mara, have always been private individuals, but the mounting financial strain on our family compels us to share this now."
Further compounding their ordeal, Johansen suffered a fall down the stairs the day after Thanksgiving, resulting in two fractured sections of his spine. Following surgery, Hennessy explained, "David has been confined to bed and incapacitated. The trauma has drastically accelerated his illness, with my mother providing round-the-clock care."
In a statement quoted by Rolling Stone, Johansen expressed, "We've lived with my illness for years, still finding joy, visiting with loved ones, and soldiering on. But this fall has propelled us into a realm of unprecedented debilitation. This is the most excruciating pain I've ever encountered. I've never been one to seek help, but this is a crisis. Thank you."
The Johansen family is now raising funds to cover the costs of full-time nursing, physical therapy, and daily expenses. "With professional, specialized care, we harbor hope that David may reclaim some mobility and independence," Hennessy penned.
Beyond his New York Dolls fame, Johansen is also renowned for his alter ego, Buster Poindexter. In 1987, as this quirky persona, he scored a Billboard hit with "Hot Hot Hot," a year prior to his memorable portrayal of the Ghost of Christmas Past in the Bill Murray-starring film Scrooged.
Hennessy concluded her Instagram post with heartfelt words: "David is indeed a legend, yet he is also my very real, very ailing father. My heart overflows with things to say, but I'll share more as I go along. I'm acutely aware of the dire straits many find themselves in and the omnipresent fundraising efforts. Yet, if you cherish David or the magic he's sprinkled across the world, please take a moment to read this or share it. Thank you, always."
