New York Dolls guitarist Sylvain Sylvain has died at the age of 69.
A statement at Sylvain Sylvain’s Facebook page reads, “As most of you know, Sylvain battled cancer for the past two and 1/2 years. Though he fought it valiantly, yesterday he passed away from this disease. While we grieve his loss, we know that he is finally at peace and out of pain. Please crank up his music, light a candle, say a prayer and let’s send this beautiful doll on his way”.
Sylvain Mizrahi was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1951. His family fled Egypt initially for France and then the USA in the early 1950s. They settled in New York.
Sylvain joined New York Dolls with David Johansen in 1971. They released two albums ‘New York Dolls’ (1973, no 116) and ‘Too Much Too Soon’ (1974, no 167) before breaking up.
They returned in the 21st century for three more studio albums, the last being ‘Dancing Backwards in High Heels’ in 2011.
Sylvain Sylvain formed Batusis with Cheetah Chrome of The Dead Boys and played SXSW in 2011.
Sylvain had lived in Nashville since 2015. He announced in April 2019 that he had been diagnosed with cancer.
Aw man….One of the NYC originals, Sylvain Sylvain has passed away. He was a true sweetheart. In 1980 sitting on a couch in my old band loft, he gave me my stage name of Steve Stevens. Where’d ya get that beat, got that beat on 14th street. pic.twitter.com/90zp6zaDUj
— Steve Stevens (@Stevestevens) January 15, 2021
So many tears so many who have passed. Sylvain Sylvain created the New York Dolls, clothed the New York Dolls, put a guitar in Johnny‘s hands, wrote fantastic songs and lived the life, a life that manifested bands all over the world. You are loved Syl. pic.twitter.com/eZmBpvudMF
— Michael Des Barres (@MDesbarres) January 15, 2021
No no no no. It's too much. Sylvain Sylvain I'm speechless with this loss. He lived so completely and deserved better. Photos from when I got to sit in with him. One of my BEST rocknroll nights of life. It went so well we talked about touring together. Insanely sad pic.twitter.com/tDQeXm3Q7v
— Kathy Valentine (@Kathy_Valentine) January 15, 2021
RIP Sylvain Sylvain, bringing the style and swagger to the original Glam-Punk Gods #NewYorkDolls! Heroes to my Heroes… I’m gonna put on “Trash” & “Pills” & “(There’s Gonna Be A) Showdown” in honor of Sylvain and the rest of the lipstick killers! pic.twitter.com/Vm9Oo5bDrD
— Mike McCready (@MikeMcCreadyPJ) January 15, 2021
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