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.
New York Dolls co-founder and guitarist Sylvain Sylvain died on January 13 at the age of 69. "As most of you know, Sylvain battled cancer for the past
Sylvain Sylvain Dies at 69 New York Dolls guitarist and co-founder died Jan. 13 from cancer Tweet
Sylvain Sylvain (left) and Cheetah Chrome, as BatusisPhoto: Sandy Carson
Sylvain Sylvain, co-founder and guitarist of profoundly influential proto-punks New York Dolls, died Wednesday in Nashville at age 69. His wife Wanda O’Kelley Mizrahi confirmed his death from cancer to
Born Sylvain Mizrahi in Cairo, Egypt, in 1951, he emigrated to France with his family and then to the U.S. in 1961, settling in Queens, New York. His middle school and high school classmate Billy Murcia was also his partner in a clothing business and bandmate in a succession of rock bands. In 1971, the configuration of Murcia on drums, Arthur “Killer” Kane on bass, Mizrahi and Johnny Thunders on guitars and singer David Johansen took on the appellation New York Dolls. Mizrahi came up with the name: He and Murcia worked in a clothing store, and a nearby toy repair shop, the New York