David Johansen tributes: Little Steven, Morrissey, Pearl Jam, Steve Stevens & more remember the late New York Dolls frontman

The Mountain Goats, Don Letts, photographer Mick Rock, Hanoi Rocks’ Michael Monroe, Kid Congo Powers, and more also paid tribute to Johansen who died Friday at age 75

Mar 1, 2025 - 22:50
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David Johansen tributes: Little Steven, Morrissey, Pearl Jam, Steve Stevens & more remember the late New York Dolls frontman

The world lost one of the greats as David Johansen of New York Dolls died at age 75 just a few weeks after revealing he had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Tributes have been pouring in since the new broke Saturday morning.

Morrissey, who was once president of the New York Dolls Fan Club and wrote short biography on them before forming The Smiths, posted a photo of Johansen with simply the words “All Hallow” on his Morrissey Central website.

Stevie Van Zandt of the E Street Band and Little Steven’s Garage wrote, “One of the most unique legends of our business and a very good friend. One of a kind.”

Guitarist and longtime Billy Idol collaborator Steve Stevens wrote, “As a kid from Queens New York, this one hurts. Never about technique for New York rock and rollers. It was always about the sound of the subway, the stinking overflowing garbage cans, the misfits of Times Square. The Dolls did it to perfection.”

The The’s Matt Johnson wrote, “It was a pleasure working with him on the original version of my single ‘Perfect’ in NYC back in 1982 when he provided blistering harmonica.”

Read more tributes from Pearl Jam, Tim Burgess, Don Letts, photographer Mick Rock, Hanoi Rocks’ Michael Monroe, Kid Congo Powers, Riot Fest, former Cure member Lol Tolhurst, The Mountain Goats, and more.