Sylvain Sylvain, guitarist of the legendary punk band New York Dolls , passed away at the age of 69.
The news was confirmed through the musician's official page in an announcement that revealed the artist passed away after battling cancer for two years.
“Even though he fought hard, he passed away from this illness yesterday. While we mourn his loss, we know he is finally at peace and without pain. Please play his music very loudly, light a candle, say a prayer, and let's send this beautiful doll on his way,” the announcement reads.
Lenny Kaye , a member of the Patti Smith Group , also paid tribute in the announcement. “Syl loved rock 'n' roll. His happiness on stage, his radiant smile as he played his guitar, revealed a sense of wonder he must have felt at age 10, emigrating from his native Cairo with his family in 1961, the ship arriving in New York Harbor and seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time.”
“His role in the band was like an axis, keeping the rotating satellites of his bandmates in precise motion. Even though he tried very hard to keep the band going, in the end the moral fable of the Dolls was too much for them, not before sowing an influence that would be felt by so many generations of rock yet to come,” and concludes: “Thank you Sylvan x2, for your heart, faith, and the way you played that E chord. Sleep, little doll.”
New York Dancers vocalist David Johansen also paid tribute to his old friend, writing, “My best friend for so many years, I can still remember the first time I saw him arriving at the rehearsal space/bike shop with his carpet bag and guitar straight from the plane after being deported from Amsterdam, I instantly loved him. I will miss you old friend. I will keep the house fires burning.”
