David Johansen Faces Health Challenges
David Johansen, known for his role as the frontman of the pioneering 1970s proto-punk group New York Dolls and for his alias Buster Poindexter, has been battling stage 4 cancer. His daughter, Leah Hennessey, has initiated a fundraising campaign through Sweet Relief to support his medical and personal care expenses. Hennessey shared that Johansen has been quietly dealing with cancer treatment for the majority of the last ten years, which worsened in 2020 with the development of a brain tumor.
Hennessey explains that Johansen and her mother Mara have kept his health issues private but now must disclose them due to the escalating financial strain on the family. Adding to their challenges, Johansen experienced a severe accident the day after Thanksgiving, falling down stairs and breaking his back in two places. He spent a week in the hospital undergoing successful surgery, but has since been confined to bed and significantly incapacitated. This recent trauma has drastically accelerated his illness, with Mara caring for him full-time.
The funds raised through Sweet Relief will be allocated to comprehensive care, including full-time nursing, physical therapy, and essential daily living costs. “With the right professional care, we hope that David will be able to regain some mobility and a degree of independence,” Hennessey added optimistically.
David Johansen’s Personal Message
Johansen himself has expressed gratitude and shared his personal ordeal, noting, “We’ve been managing my illness for a long time, enjoying life, seeing loved ones, and keeping active. However, the fall I took recently has severely debilitated me. It’s the most intense pain I’ve ever endured. Typically, I am reluctant to request aid, but we are now in a state of emergency. Thank you for your support.”
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Naomi lives and breathes music. From underground indie artists to global pop icons, she’s always got her ear to the streets.