David Johansen, the legendary lead singer of the New York Dolls and a pioneer in punk rock, passed away at the age of 75. His death comes just weeks after he publicly revealed his stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Johansen had been battling a brain tumor and dealing with health issues for over a decade. He died peacefully at his home in New York on Friday, surrounded by his wife, Mara Hennessey, and stepdaughter, Leah Hennessey.
Leah shared a statement with PEOPLE, explaining that Johansen spent his final moments in the sunlight, holding the hands of his loved ones, while music and flowers surrounded him. She mentioned that after years of struggling with his health, he ultimately died of natural causes. She also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming love and support their family had received after they shared his health struggles with the public. According to her, Johansen was thankful that he got the opportunity to reconnect with many friends and family members before his passing.
Johansen was married three times. His first marriage was to actress Cyrinda Foxe, but the relationship lasted only a year, from 1977 to 1978. In 1983, he married Kate Simon, and the two were together for nearly three decades before separating in 2011. In 2013, he tied the knot with artist Mara Hennessey, who remained by his side until his passing.
Johansen’s stepdaughter, Leah Hennessey, is a writer, performer, and director. She had been actively providing updates about his condition in his final days. On February 12, she spoke to PEOPLE about her father’s deteriorating health, mentioning that he had been reading messages from fans and reaching out to old friends. She emphasized how much those connections meant to him during his illness.
She also shared that Johansen suffered a bad fall on Thanksgiving, which significantly worsened his condition. She recalled that he had simply been walking down the stairs when he slipped, and from that moment, his health rapidly declined.
David Johansen leaves behind a lasting legacy in the music industry, with his contributions to punk and rock continuing to inspire generations. Fans and fellow artists have been paying tribute to him, remembering him not just as a musician but as an influential figure whose impact will never fade.