Sylvain Sylvain

New York Dolls rhythm guitar player Sylvain Sylvain has died at the age of 69. Not the generational talent the wasted Johnny Thunders was nor the vamping front man David Johanson, Sylvain always seemed to be what was best about rock and roll: 2-minutes songs while having the time of his life. Via Rolling Stone (HEARD of it, young people?!):

“The New York Dolls heralded the future, made it easy to dance to,” Kaye continued. “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 flameout, 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.”

My favorite Dolls story will always be when they went into the recording studio to record their debut album. They'd never been in a recording studio before, so they showed up completely decked out in their stage gear, platform shoes, makeup and all, prompting producer Todd Rundgren to ask what the hell was wrong with them.

Viva lá Dolls!