David Johansen, the 75-year-old lead singer of the 1970s punk band New York Dolls, has been privately battling stage four cancer for nearly a decade. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the star was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Recently, David suffered a fall that resulted in a broken back, further complicating his health situation. His stepdaughter, Leah Hennessey, has launched a fundraising campaign through the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund to assist with his medical expenses and round-the-clock care.
In an emotional plea with Sweet Relief, Leah said: "Five years ago at the beginning of the pandemic we discovered that David's cancer had progressed and he had a brain tumour. There have been complications ever since. He's never made his diagnosis public, as he and my mother Mara are generally very private people, but we feel compelled to share this now, due to the increasingly severe financial burden our family is facing.".
In a separate statement, David shared: "We’ve been living with my illness for a long time, still having fun, seeing friends & 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.". In November, he fell down the stairs and fractured his back in two separate areas, which increased his medical expenses. Leah explained: ""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 specialised professional help. 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.". The New York Dolls were the early 70s shock troops of punk, playing glorious lipstick and mascara-smeared rock in suspenders, high heels and hip-hugging dresses.
Self-destructing after two albums, they were plagued with drug problems and original members Johnny Thunders and Billy Murcia died. And, though hugely influential, the Dolls legacy went largely unrewarded until Morrissey asked them to reform in 2004. Since then they have lost two founding members, Arthur 'Killer' Kane to leukaemia and Sylvain Sylvain, after a cancer battle. Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .
