Description

David Johansen – David Johansen – Cassette

David Johansen is the debut solo album by American singer-songwriter David Johansen. It was released in 1978, following his departure from the glam rock band New York Dolls.

Best known for his tenure fronting the hugely influential New York Dolls, David Johansen was a true chameleon. Throughout the course of a career which saw him transform from a lipstick-smeared proto-punk hero into an urbane blue-eyed soul man and finally into a tuxedo-clad lounge lizard, he remained a rock and roll original.

Born January 9, 1950, in Staten Island, NY, Johansen joined his first band, the Vagabond Missionaries, in his mid-teens. A tenure with Fast Eddie and the Electric Japs, as well as an attempt to mount a career as a theatrical actor, followed before a club-hopping Johansen met bassist Arthur Kane, who extended an invitation to join his band, Actress.

After changing their name to the New York Dolls, the group began building a notorious reputation for their menacing, edgy music, drug-fueled lifestyle, and outrageously campy, drag queen-inspired glam image; although neither their eponymous 1973 debut nor 1974’s Too Much Too Soon even cracked the Top 100, the Dolls established an enduring cult following, and their influence on the rise of punk was unmistakable.

The album showcases Johansen’s versatility as a vocalist and his ability to blend various musical styles. It incorporates elements of rock, blues, R&B, and even reggae, reflecting Johansen’s eclectic musical influences.

Notable tracks from David Johansen include ‘Funky but Chic,’ ‘Girls,’ ‘Frenchette,’ and a cover of the classic song ‘Heart of Gold.’ The album features Johansen’s charismatic and soulful vocals, backed by a solid band and production that captures the essence of his live performances.

David Johansen received positive reviews and marked a successful transition for Johansen as a solo artist. It established him as a respected figure in the New York music scene and set the stage for his subsequent solo releases.

Brand new, never played and sealed in the factory plastic seal

Sony Records

Song List
Funky But Chic
Girls
Pain In My Heart
Not That Much
Donna
Cool Metro
I’m A Lover
Lonely Tenement
Frenchette
Rope, The (The Let Go Song) – (bonus track)