ROCKER DEAD
Sylvain Sylvain dead: New York Dolls guitarist dies after cancer battle aged 69
NEW York Dolls guitarist Sylvain Sylvain has died after a two-year cancer battle.
The 69-year-old’s death was announced by his wife, Wanda O'Kelley Mizrahi, who shared the news in a on Thursday.
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"As most of you know, Sylvain battled cancer for the past two and 1/2 years,” she wrote.
"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."
She added: "Please crank up his music, light a candle, say a prayer and let's send this beautiful doll on his way."
Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready was among the many paying tribute, tweeting a picture of himself with a New York Dolls t-shirt.
"RIP Sylvain Sylvain, bringing the style and swagger to the original Glam-Punk Gods #NewYorkDolls!," he wrote.
"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!"
Sylvain Sylvain's riffs drove the punk pioneers' songs, whose flamboyant outfits and makeup set the fashion template for a generation,
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Sylvain Mizrahi was born in Cairo, Egypt, and his family moved to France before settling in New York.
He was a member of the band Actress featuring Arthur Kane, Johnny Thunders and Billy Murcia before co-founding New York Dolls in 1971.
The group took their name from the toy repair shop New York Doll Hospital and were influenced Rolling Stones, David Bowie, MC5 and the Stooges.
The group steadily built up a cult following through regular performances at famous New York clubs CBGBs and Max’s Kansas City.
Sylvain later explained to Vogue how their sleazy, androgynous look came into being.
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“‘Hey, man, we’re bored! What the f**k are we going to do?’ ‘Well, let’s put on a show! 'What do you got?’ ‘My mother’s got these weird lamé pants.’
"‘My older brother left this old motorcycle jacket that’s been in the closet.’
"‘Where are you going to get the makeup?’ ‘My girlfriend’s bag! She shops at Biba in London every other day.’
"Once we got started and once we got going, we became the darlings of it all.”
The statement announcing his death also included a tribute from fellow guitarist and Patti Smith Group member Lenny Kaye, who described his “onstage joy, his radiant smile”
“Syl loved rock and roll,” Kaye wrote.
“His role in the band was as lynchpin, keeping the revolving satellites of his bandmates in precision,” Kaye continued.
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“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.”
Kaye signed his tribute off with, “Thank you Sylvain x 2, for your heart, belief, and the way you whacked that E chord. Sleep Baby Doll.”