Sylvain Sylvain of the New York Dolls Has Died
Sylvain Sylvain, guitarist and pianist of glam rock pioneers the New York Dolls, has died. He was 69 years old, and had been battling an unspecified form of cancer since 2018.
His death was announced on his personal Facebook page just moments ago:
“Sylvain Sylvain Mizrahi
“Rest In Peace
“February 14, 1951 ~ January 13, 2021
“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.”
The announcement was accompanied by a tribute written by Lenny Kaye, rock journalist and longtime guitarist for Patti Smith, which we will include at the bottom of this post.
Born Sylvain Mizrahi in Cairo in 1951, Sylvain’s family emigrated to France and eventually to New York City when he was a child. He joined the New York Dolls shortly after their formation in 1971 and remained with the band until their dissolution in 1976. He played on singer David Johansen’s solo records and would participate in the New York Dolls reunion in 2004, remaining active until his health declined. He also released six solo albums under various monikers (Sylvain Sylvain and The Criminal$, Syl Sylvain and the Teardrops, and simply Sylvain Sylvain) and appeared on many other artists’ records over the years.
Sylvain’s style of guitar playing and unique fashion aesthetic were instrumental in defining the glam rock scene of the ’70s and would go on to influence countless hard rock musicians in the ’80s and beyond. The Dolls’ raw brand of bluesy rock n’ roll was a crucial precursor to both the punk and glam metal movements that would follow, and their penchant for spandex, leather, platform boots, makeup and androgynous looks became an iconic part of the rock landscape for an entire generation.
A 2019 GoFundMe following Sylvain’s cancer diagnosis raised nearly $80,000 to help the guitarist cover medical bills.
Lenny Kaye’s tribute to Sylvain follows:
“Please read this letter written for Syl by Lenny Kaye
“SYL: An Appreciation
“Lenny Kaye
“Sylvain Sylvain, the heart and soul of the New York Dolls, bearer of the Teenage News, passed into his next astral incarnation on Wednesday, January 13, 2021.
“Syl loved rock and roll. His onstage joy, his radiant smile as he chopped at his guitar, revealed the sense of wonder he must have felt at the age of 10, emigrating from his native Cairo with his family in 1961, the ship pulling into New York Harbor and seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
“It was he who looked across Lexington Ave. and saw the sign for the New York Doll hospital. Syl and a high school friend, Billy Murcia, were in the rag trade then, the aptly named Truth and Soul, handknit sweaters with a side of rockattitude. Hooking up with another classmate, John Genzale, and then, as bands will, Arthur Kane, and David Johansen, and Jerry Nolan, they became a quasar in the rock firmament; embodying trash, glam, garage-to-punk, the ambisexual affirmation of music played louder.
“His role in the band was as lynchpin, keeping the revolving satellites of his bandmates in precision. Though he tried valiantly to keep the band going, in the end the Dolls’ moral fable overwhelmed them, not before seeding an influence that would engender many rock generations yet to come.
“The New York Dolls heralded the future, made it easy to dance to. From the time I first saw their poster appear on the wall of Village Oldies in 1972, advertising a residency at the Mercer Hotel up the street, throughout their meteoric ascent and shooting star flame-out, the New York Dolls were the heated core of this music we hail, the band that makes you want to form a band.
“Syl never stopped. In his solo lifeline, he was welcomed all over the world, from England to Japan, but most of all the rock dens of New York City, which is where I caught up with him a couple of years ago at the Bowery Electric. Still Syl. His corkscrew curls, tireless bounce, exulting in living his dream, asking the crowd to sing along, and so we will. His twin names, mirrored, becomes us.
“Thank you Sylvain x 2, for your heart, belief, and the way you whacked that E chord. Sleep Baby Doll.”
