Photographed by our fearless lensman, Patrick McMullan.
The other day when we said there were no challengers to Keith Richards’ reign atop sex, drugs and rock’n’roll royalty, it obviously triggered something - the appearance of a certified contender, David Johansen of the New York Dolls.
Back in the ’80s it seemed as though Johansen had given up his roots with a descent into campy cabaret under his Buster Poindexter alias. But he surprised us in 2004 by regrouping what was left of the Dolls for a reunion tour, followed in 2006 by the band’s first album in 30 years, One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This. The album, which featured guest stars like Iggy Pop and MOTH Michael Stipe, showed Johansen still has what it takes.
At a benefit in Brooklyn the other night, Johansen tuned up in full Dolls regalia, down the trademark shaggy mane and well-worn biker jacket, and a mug rivaled only by Richards’ in its craggy expressiveness of the vagaries of a rock’n’roll icon. As we noted vis-à-vis Richards, you can’t buy this look—which doesn’t stop lots of fellows from trying.
—J.P.S.
