New York Dolls guitarist Sylvain Sylvain has died after a two-year battle with cancer, his wife has confirmed.
His wife Wanda O’Kelley Mizrahi announced his sad death in an emotional Facebook post on Thursday, urging fans to ‘crank up his music’ in honour of the artist.
She wrote: “As most of you know, Sylvain battled cancer for the past two and a half 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.”
Wanda went on: “Please crank up his music, light a candle, say a prayer and let’s send this beautiful doll on his way.”
Sylvain Sylvain helped to found the New York Dolls (Image: WireImage)
Sylvain shared his tragic cancer diagnosis in 2019.
Rocker Sylvain will reportedly be buried in New York, according to Rolling Stone.
Tributes have been pouring in for Sylvain, with musician Lenny Kaye, who is the guitarist for Patti Smith’s band, leading the way.
He said: “His role in the band was as lynchpin, keeping the revolving satellites of his bandmates in precision.
(Image: Redferns)
“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.”
Sylvain helped found the New York Dolls in 1971, after being born in Egypt, moving to France and then later New York.
The New York Dolls helped pave the way for the punk scene in the UK in the 1970s, with Malcolm McLaren seeing them perform and wanting to do a similar thing.
When he returned to the UK, McLaren gathered a group together who would eventually become the Sex Pistols, back in 1976.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
