GERRY VISCO
David Johansen with his wife, Mara Hennessey.
The Sweet Relief organization, which supports musicians in need, has launched a fund to assist David Johansen, who is dealing with multiple major health issues. Donations can be made and benefit T-shirts can be purchased at sweetrelief.org/davidjohansenfund.
According to a press release, Johansen — known as the frontman of the legendary New York Dolls, as a solo singer-songwriter and as his hard-partying alter ego Buster Poindexter, as well as as an actor, painter and DJ — has stage 4 cancer and a brain tumor, and is also recovering from a fall on the day after Thanksgiving that broke his back in two places. He is currently bedridden and in need of around-the-clock care.
According to the press release, “With professional specialized care, the Johansen family remains hopeful that David can regain some mobility and independence.”
Johansen, 75, said: “We’ve been living with my illness for a long time, still having fun, seeing friends & family, carrying on, but this tumble the day after Thanksgiving really brought us to a whole new level of debilitation. This is the worst pain I’ve ever experienced in my entire life. I’ve never been one to ask for help but this is an emergency. Thank you.”
CONTRIBUTE TO NJARTS.NET
Since launching in September 2014, NJArts.net, a 501(c)(3) organization, has become one of the most important media outlets for the Garden State arts scene. And it has always offered its content without a subscription fee, or a paywall. Its continued existence depends on support from members of that scene, and the state’s arts lovers. Please consider making a contribution of any amount to NJArts.net via PayPal, or by sending a check made out to NJArts.net to 11 Skytop Terrace, Montclair, NJ 07043.
