Sylvain Sylvain, New York Dolls guitarist, died at 69

Sylvain Sylvain, the punk icon and New York Dolls guitarist whose riffs bridged the gap between punk and glam, died on Wednesday. He was 69 years old. The musician, who also contributed bass, piano and writing for the groundbreaking group’s first two albums, was battling cancer.

“As most of you know, Sylvain battled cancer for two and a half years,” his wife, Wanda O’Kelley Mizrahi, wrote in a statement on his Facebook page. “Even though he fought it valiantly, he died yesterday of this disease. As we mourn his loss, we know he is finally at peace and pain free. Please turn up her music, light a candle, say a prayer and let’s send this beautiful doll on her way.

The group’s eponymous debut album in 1973 remains a milestone in rock music, with Rolling stone by naming it in the list of the 500 best albums of all time. “The glamed-out punkers the New York Dolls snatched riffs from Chuck Berry and Fats Domino and fattened them with a lot of attitude and reverberation,” we wrote at the time. “Produced by Todd Rundgren, songs like ‘Personality Crisis’ and ‘Bad Girl’ dripping with silliness and style… It’s hard to imagine The Ramones or the Replacements or a thousand other trash addicted bands without them.”

Born Sylvain Mizrahi in Cairo, Egypt, his family moved to France before settling in New York. He was a member of Actress with Arthur Kane, Johnny Thunders and Billy Murcia before co-founding New York Dolls in 1971. While he was the band’s guitarist, their first two albums – New York dolls and 1974 Too too soon – presented his contributions to bass, piano and composition.

While the composition of the group changed over the years, Sylvain and singer David Johansen remained until its disbandment in 1977.

“His role in the band was pivotal, keeping the rotating satellites of his bandmates in precision,” wrote Lenny Kaye in a letter accompanying the announcement of Sylvain’s death. “Although he valiantly tried to keep the band going, the Dolls’ moral fable eventually overwhelmed them, not before sowing an influence that would spawn many generations of rock to come.

Following the breakup of the group, Sylvain worked on various solo projects, joined forces with other artists and launched the Criminals with Bobby Blain, Michael Page and Tony Machine. His solo work includes his eponymous debut in 1979, 1981 Syl Sylvain and tears and 1998 Sleeping baby doll.

Sylvain reunited with the New York Dolls in 2004 and was part of their last three albums, One day it will please us to remember, Because i am so and Dancing backwards in high heels. He was also a member of the Batusis, which released an EP in 2010, and in 2016 he performed at South by Southwest.

“The New York Dolls heralded the future, made it easier to dance,” Kaye continued. “From the moment I saw their poster first appear on the wall of Village Oldies in 1972, announcing a residence at the Mercer Hotel up the street, through their meteoric rise and extinction. shooting star, the New York Dolls have been the burning heart of this music that we salute, the group that makes you want to form a band.

“Syl never stopped. In his solo lifeline, he has been welcomed all over the world, from England to Japan, but mostly in the rock dens of New York, where I met him a few years ago at Bowery Electric. Always Syl. Her corkscrew curls, tirelessly bounce, exulting to live her dream, asking the crowd to sing along, and we will. His twin names, reflected, become us.

Wandy O’Kelley Mizrahi tells Rolling stone that Mizrahi, who lived in Nashville, will be buried in New York. “Thank you Sylvain x 2, for your heart, your belief and the way you hit that E chord,” Kaye concluded. “Sleep Baby Doll.”

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