NEW YORK DOLLS Singer Comments On Bassist's Passing

July 15, 2004

NEW YORK DOLLS frontman David Johansen has issued a statement regarding the passing of the group's bassist, Arthur Kane, Tuesday night (July 13) due to complications from leukemia.

"During rehearsal and the shows I was blessed to work with the Arthur I first met and loved 30 years ago," Johansen said in a statement released to Billboard.com. "The reunion was a source of great happiness for him, and the dynamic between [guitarist] Sylvain [Sylvain], Arthur and myself was brimming with unimaginable love. It's good to know that he went out on a high point in his musical life, but he will be sorely missed. His bass playing and presence were the heart & soul of the NEW YORK DOLLS and the secret ingredient of our sound."

The DOLLS are scheduled to release an album for Morrissey's Attack imprint in September, but no details have been revealed. "He was a very gentle soul and I know he lived for many years with the hope of a DOLLS reunion," Morrissey said in a statement released to Billboard.com. "When this happened — at the Royal Festival Hall in June — I know Arthur was thrilled to be back with David and Sylvain playing the music of the DOLLS to such enthusiastic crowds over two nights. I will always remember the look of bashful happiness on Arthur's face as people in the audience constantly called out his name. He was finally back where he belonged."

Kane is the fourth member of the pioneering glam rock outfit to pass away, including guitarist Johnny Thunders, who died of a drug overdose in 1991.

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