Happy birthday, David Johansen

Posted on January 9 2015 by Candy Rock

Categories: #Rock, #Blues, #Hard Rock, #Proto Punk, #Glam Rock, #1950, #January

David Johansen, lead vocals of New York Dolls

Happy birthday, David Johansen...
Born David Roger Johansen on January 9 1950 in Staten Island, New York, U.S., David Johansen is a singer, songwriter, and actor mostly known as a member of the New York Dolls. He is also known for his work under the pseudonym Buster Poindexter.
His career began in the late 60s when he joined a band called the Vagabond Missionaries as a lead singer.
In 1971, David joined the New York Dolls (lineup in 1971 : David Johansen (vocals, harmonica), Johnny Thunders (guitars, vocals), Sylvain Sylvain (guitar, piano), Arthur Kane (bass), Billy Murcia (drums)).
Most of the songs of the band's two first albums, New York Dolls (1973) and Too Much Too Soon (1974), were written by David Johansen and Johnny Thunders.
After Johnny Thunders and Jerry Nolan left the band in 1975, David, alongside Sylvain Sylvain, Peter Jordan, Chris Robison and Tony Machine, kept playing as the New York Dolls.
In 1977, the band broke up, and David started a solo career.
He released his debut solo album, David Johansen, in 1978.
He also released live albums, The David Johansen Group Live (1978) and Live It Up (1982), which confirmed his reputation as an extraordinary live performer.
During his solo career, David worked with several musicians like Buz Verno, Joe Perry, Sylvain Sylvain, Johnny Thunders, Mick Ronson...
In 1982, he opened for The Who at many concerts on the U.S. East Coast.
In 1987, he took the name of Buster Poindexter to perform a mixure of lounge, calypso, and novelty songs, and to be a part of the house band on Saturday Night Live.
He released four albums as Buster Poindexter: Buster Poindexter (1987), Buster Goes Berserk (1989), Buster's Happy Hour (1994), Buster's Spanish Rocketship (1997).
In the early 2000s, David formed a country blues group, The Harry Smiths. The band released two albums: David Johansen and the Harry Smiths (2000), Shaker (2002).
In 2004, for the Meltdown Festival of London, Morrissey organized a reunion of the three surviving members of the New York Dolls: David Johansen, Sylvain Sylvain and Arthur Kane. After the reunion, they released a live LP and DVD: Morrissey Presents: The Return Of New York Dolls Live From Royal Festival Hall.
In July 2005, the New York Dolls released the album: One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This (lineup in 2005: David Johansen (vocals, harmonica), Sylvain Sylvain (guitar), Steve Conte (guitar), Sami Yaffa (bass), Brian Delaney (drums), Brian Koonin (piano)).
Since, the band has released two other albums: Cause I Sez So (2009), Dancing Backward in High Heels (2011).
New York Dolls' current lineup: David Johansen (vocals, harmonica), Sylvain Sylvain (guitar, piano), Earl Slick (guitar), Claton Pitcher (guitar, vocals), Kenny Aaronson (bass), Brian Delaney (drums).
To conclude, we wish a happy birthday and years of rock to David Johansen!

David Johansen

David Johansen - credit: Andy Willsher

[french version :
Joyeux anniversaire, David Johansen ...
Né David Roger Johansen le 9 janvier 1950 à Staten Island, New York, U.S., David Johansen est un chanteur, auteur-compositeur et acteur mieux connu en tant que membre des New Yrok Dolls. Il est aussi connu pour son travail sous le pseudonyme Buster Poindexter.
Sa carrière commence à la fin des années 60 quand il rejoint le groupe les Vagabond Missionaries en tant que chanteur.
En 1971, David se joint au New York Dolls (lineup en 1971 : David Johansen (chant, harmonica), Johnny Thunders (guitares, chant), Sylvain Sylvain (guitare, piano), Arthur Kane (basse), Billy Murcia (batterie)).
La plupart des chansons des deux premiers albums du groupe, New York Dolls (1973) et Too Much Too Soon (1974), est écrite par David Johansen et Johnny Thunders.
Après que Johnny Thunders et Jerry Nolan aient quitté le groupe en 1975, David, aux côtés de Sylvain Sylvain, Peter Jordan, Chris Robison et Tony Machine, continue de jouer dans les New York Dolls.
En 1977, le groupe se sépare. David commence alors une carrière solo.
Il sort son premier albumn David Johansen, en 1978.
Il sort aussi des albums live, The David Johansen Group Live (1978) et Live It Up (1982), qui confirment sa réputation d'extraordinaire showman.
Durant sa carrière solo, David travaille avec de nombreux musiciens comme Buz Verno, Joe Perry, Sylvain Sylvain, Johnny Thunders, Mick Ronson...
En 1982, il fait le première partie de The Who pour plusieurs concerts sur la côte est des Etats-Unis.
En 1987, il prend le nom de Buster Poindexter pour faire de la musique qui est un mélange de lounge, de calypso et de compositions originales, et aussi pour être membre du groupe de résidence sur l'émission Saturday Night Live.
Il sort quatre albums en tant que Buster Poindexter : Buster Poindexter (1987), Buster Goes Berserk (1989), Buster's Happy Hour (1994), Buster's Spanish Rocketship (1997).
Au début des années 2000, David forme un groupe de country blues, The Harry Smiths. Le groupe sort deux albums: David Johansen and the Harry Smiths (2000), Shaker (2002).
En 2004, pour le Meltdown Festival de Londres, Morrissey organise une réunion des trois membres survivants des New York Dolls : David Johansen, Sylvain Sylvain et Arthur Kane. Après la réunion, le groupe sort un live LP et DVD : Morrissey Presents: The Return Of New York Dolls Live From Royal Festival Hall.
En juillet 2005, les New York Dolls sortent un album : One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This (lineup en 2005: David Johansen (chant, harmonica), Sylvain Sylvain (guitare), Steve Conte (guitare), Sami Yaffa (basse), Brian Delaney (batterie), Brian Koonin (piano)).
Depuis, le groupe a sorti deux autres albums : Cause I Sez So (2009), Dancing Backward in High Heels (2011).
Lineup actuel des New York Dolls : avid Johansen (chant, harmonica), Sylvain Sylvain (guitare, piano), Earl Slick (guitare), Claton Pitcher (guitare, chant), Kenny Aaronson (basse), Brian Delaney (batterie).
Pour conclure, nous souhaitons un heureux anniversaire et des années de rock à David Johansen !]