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Legendary 70s punk icon reveals he’s got stage four cancer and brain tumour as daughter raises money for hospital care

Man holding a microphone, speaking to an audience.

PUNK Rock icon David Johansen of the New York Dolls has revealed he has been fighting stage four cancer for almost a decade.  

The 75-year-old rocker, who helped kickstart the glam punk movement in the 1970s, shared the news via the Sweet Relief Fund with the help of his daughter, Leah Hennessey. 

David Johansen speaking at a microphone.
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David Johansen has reveals he’s been secretly battling cancer for 10 years[/caption]
Black and white photo of the New York Dolls.
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The star is famed for fronting the New York Dolls in the 1970s[/caption]

Following the launch of the Sweet Relief Fund, David released a statement, asserting he is trying to remain positive amid his health woes. 

“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,” he said via Brooklyn Vegan

“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.” 

Tragically, the donation page details the severity of his health problems, revealing David’s cancer had progressed, and in 2020 – in the midst of the pandemic – the family had discovered he had a brain tumour. 

As a result, he has been unable to work as he continues to receive treatment. 

“There have been complications ever since,” Leah wrote on the site. “He’s never made his diagnosis public, as he and my mother Mara are generally very private people, but we feel compelled to share this now, due to the increasingly severe financial burden our family is facing.” 

To make matters worse, David suffered a fall in his home in November last year, breaking his back in two places and leaving him incapacitated. 

The family are appealing to fans to help raise funds in order to give David round-the-clock professional care, as his wife is currently doing it all herself.

New York Dolls shot to fame in the 1970s, releasing their self-titled debut album in 1973 to critical acclaim, but a small amount of success.

They were known for their radical and androgynous fashion style including make-up, platformed shoes and skin-tight PVC trousers.

Shortly after the release of second album, Too Much Too Soon, in 1974, the group started suffering a neverending rotation of band members.

David remained consistently the lead singer from the band’s launch until 1976, when he launched a solo career under the name Buster Poindexter.

But the music of the New York Dolls lived on, turning them into a cult success story, with artists including David Bowie, Joan Jett and The Smiths crediting them as influences in their work.

In 1988, David would appear alongside Bill Murray in Scrooged, comedy send-up of A Christmas Carol, in which he played the Ghost of Christmas Past.

David Johansen performing at the 32nd Annual John Lennon Tribute.
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The singer broke his back in two places at Thanksgiving, putting further strain on his health[/caption]
The New York Dolls at an HMV appearance.
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Despite only releasing two albums, the band have continued to be cult icons[/caption]

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Declan Rice reveals Arsenal teammates have given him perfect new nickname

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Declan Rice of Arsenal looks on during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park on February 05, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Declan Rice was starting to rediscover his best form before Arsenal’s trip to Dubai (Picture: Getty)

Declan Rice has revealed he has been bestowed with a fitting new nickname by his Arsenal teammates.

The club’s record signing, by his own admission, made a slow start to the new season as, like many of his England colleagues, he struggled with the after effects of losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain.

Injuries to the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard has seen Rice saddled with additional responsibility in recent weeks.

The former West Ham skipper has responded superbly and was close to regaining his best form in the weeks that led up to his man of the match display in Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Manchester City.

Covering almost every blade of grass, Rice overpowered the likes of Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva who struggled to contain the 26-year-old over the course of one his best displays for the Gunners.

Rice’s running power and stamina have earned him the moniker ‘the horse’ which he insists fits him perfectly.

‘It’s positive! [Oleksandr] Zinchenko started it and then Jorginho went with it,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘Now everyone starts calling me it.

Arsenal Training Session
Declan Rice and Arsenal are in Dubai on a warm weather training camp (Picture: Getty)

‘I think it’s because they think I can run all day, that I’m athletic, my ability to go again, my sustainability and availability to the team.

‘Even two days since the last game, I’m running around in training and they’re thinking I’m a mad man. I don’t mind the nickname but I just have to keep it going.’

Having been knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United, a gap in a grueling schedule opened up which allowed Arsenal to embark on a warm weather training camp in Dubai.

The decision to make that same trip 12 months ago was credited with playing an enormous role in Arsenal sensational form during the second half of last season which nearly saw Mikel Arteta’s men pip City to the title.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Manchester City - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - February 2, 2025 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Declan Rice celebrate after the match REUTERS/David Klein EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..
Declan Rice was superb in Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Man City (Credits: REUTERS)

It will require another almost faultless run on result if Arsenal are to go one better this season an overhaul Liverpool, but Rice remains confident.

‘There’s still a really long way to go,’ Rice said about Arsenal’s hopes for the season.

‘The manager said in a press conference the other week, no matter what, the only thing we can worry about is ourselves.

‘But at the end of the season, we will be there. We can only keep believing in what we believe in, work on what we’re working on and have full trust in the manager, players and everyone around us that we can achieve great things.

‘It’s down to us to get that over the line. Big things are coming. We need to stay positive and keep going.’

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