Sylvain Sylvain of the Proto-Punk New York Dolls Dies at 69
He was a core member of a group that had limited commercial success in the early 1970s and didn’t last long but proved hugely influential.
The New York Dolls — Jerry Nolan on drums; Sylvain Sylvain, center; Arthur Kane, at back; and Johnny Thunders, right — performing in 1974 with the Stillettos (from far left, Elda Gentile, Debbie Harry and Amanda Jones). Not pictured is the Dolls’ lead singer, David Johansen.Credit...Bob Gruen
Published Jan. 16, 2021Updated Jan. 18, 2021
Sylvain Sylvain, a key member of the New York Dolls, the influential though short-lived proto-punk band whose outrageous shows at Max’s Kansas City and other venues paved the way for the era of the Ramones and the Sex Pistols, died on Wednesday at his home in Nashville. He was 69.