Sylvain Sylvain: The punk pioneer dies at the age of 69

Sylvain Sylvain
The punk pioneer dies at the age of 69

New York Dolls guitarist Sylvain Sylvain has died

© imago / ZUMA Press

The American musician Sylvain Sylvain lost the battle against cancer. The punk pioneer dies at the age of 69.

Sylvain Sylvain (1951-2021), guitarist for the US punk band New York Dolls (1971-1976, 2004-2011), died on Wednesday at the age of 69. The sad news was announced by his wife, Wanda O'Kelley Mizrahi, on Facebook a day later. "As most of you know, Sylvain has been battling cancer for the past two and a half years," Mizrahi wrote. "Although he fought valiantly against it, he died yesterday of the disease. As we mourn his loss, we know that he is finally living in peace and is no longer in pain."

"Please turn up his music, light a candle, say a prayer and let us send this beautiful doll on its way," added Mizrahi and also shared a tribute to Sylvain written by guitarist Lenny Kaye (74) (among others in the punk band Patti Smith Group). In it he praised Sylvain as "the heart and soul of the New York Dolls" and continued: "Thank you Sylvain, for your heart, your faith and the way you struck the E chord.

The punk pioneer from Cairo

Sylvain Sylvain was born as Sylvain Mizrahi on Valentine's Day in 1951 in Cairo, Egypt. His family first moved to France and then to New York, where he later co-founded the New York Dolls. The group released a self-titled debut album in 1973, which was followed in 1974 by the second album, "Too Much Too Soon". Sylvain was featured on both albums with guitar, piano and vocals.

Documentary "The Story of Punk" on ZFDinfo

Tomorrow, Saturday (January 16), ZDF will show the four-part documentary "The Story of Punk" on ZDFinfo from 10:30 am. Sylvain Sylvain and his New York Dolls can be seen alongside Iggy Pop (73), the Sex Pistols (first founded in 1975), designer and punk icon Vivienne Westwood (79) and many other pioneering and successful artists in this scene.

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