RIP Sylvain Sylvain (February 14, 1951 - January 13, 2021)
January 16, 2021 10:35 PM Subscribe
Sylvain Sylvain, born Sylvain Mizrahi, guitarist for proto-punk band The New York Dolls, has died at age 69.
David Johansen on first seeing Sylvain: I remember it pretty vividly. We were getting the band going and we just had rehearsal a couple of times. The guy who was playing guitar didn’t show up. All of a sudden, Syl came in the room with a carpetbag and guitar. He had just gotten off the plane after being, I think, deported from Amsterdam. [Laughs] He looked great, but then he started playing and I thought, “Oh my God. We gotta have this guy. He’s great.”
Who Are The Mystery Girls?, Live, Max's Kansas City, 1973.
Jet Boy, on The Old Grey Whistle Test, 1973.
Pills, Musikladen, 1973.
Previously.
David Johansen on first seeing Sylvain: I remember it pretty vividly. We were getting the band going and we just had rehearsal a couple of times. The guy who was playing guitar didn’t show up. All of a sudden, Syl came in the room with a carpetbag and guitar. He had just gotten off the plane after being, I think, deported from Amsterdam. [Laughs] He looked great, but then he started playing and I thought, “Oh my God. We gotta have this guy. He’s great.”
Who Are The Mystery Girls?, Live, Max's Kansas City, 1973.
Jet Boy, on The Old Grey Whistle Test, 1973.
Pills, Musikladen, 1973.
Previously.
\m/
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 11:54 PM on January 16, 2021
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 11:54 PM on January 16, 2021
Syl, flyin around New York City so high.
Bought your Dolls album in college. Sorry but traded it for Never Mind the Bullocks.
And all them Pistols were fans of yours.
posted by artdrectr at 12:13 AM on January 17, 2021
Bought your Dolls album in college. Sorry but traded it for Never Mind the Bullocks.
And all them Pistols were fans of yours.
posted by artdrectr at 12:13 AM on January 17, 2021
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posted by Ten Cold Hot Dogs at 12:28 AM on January 17, 2021
posted by Ten Cold Hot Dogs at 12:28 AM on January 17, 2021
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posted by limeonaire at 1:38 AM on January 17, 2021
posted by limeonaire at 1:38 AM on January 17, 2021
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I remember buying the first Dolls album at a church rummage sale (with a Peter Dunn's Vinyl Museum sticker and sleeve). I grabbed it because of the cover and because I'd read an alt weekly article promoting a show Sylvain was playing. I didn’t make it to that show but listening to the album, thought “Oh, that's what all the fuss is about!”. I shall play it today.
posted by bonobothegreat at 2:56 AM on January 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
I remember buying the first Dolls album at a church rummage sale (with a Peter Dunn's Vinyl Museum sticker and sleeve). I grabbed it because of the cover and because I'd read an alt weekly article promoting a show Sylvain was playing. I didn’t make it to that show but listening to the album, thought “Oh, that's what all the fuss is about!”. I shall play it today.
posted by bonobothegreat at 2:56 AM on January 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
I saw the reunited Dolls at the Variety in Atlanta years ago. Great show.
Sylvain introduced his mom to the crowd. It was cute.
posted by donpardo at 4:41 AM on January 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
Sylvain introduced his mom to the crowd. It was cute.
posted by donpardo at 4:41 AM on January 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
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posted by miles per flower at 4:57 AM on January 17, 2021
posted by miles per flower at 4:57 AM on January 17, 2021
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posted by shesdeadimalive at 5:00 AM on January 17, 2021
posted by shesdeadimalive at 5:00 AM on January 17, 2021
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From a friend of a friend who did some promotional work for his first solo album - 1) he was a genuinely sweet and good-natured guy and 2) his family had a background in fabric and textiles and clothing, and he had a lot to do with creating the Dolls' look & outfits.
posted by soundguy99 at 5:07 AM on January 17, 2021 [10 favorites]
From a friend of a friend who did some promotional work for his first solo album - 1) he was a genuinely sweet and good-natured guy and 2) his family had a background in fabric and textiles and clothing, and he had a lot to do with creating the Dolls' look & outfits.
posted by soundguy99 at 5:07 AM on January 17, 2021 [10 favorites]
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posted by From Bklyn at 5:17 AM on January 17, 2021
posted by From Bklyn at 5:17 AM on January 17, 2021
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posted by robotmachine at 5:39 AM on January 17, 2021
posted by robotmachine at 5:39 AM on January 17, 2021
That first solo album he released in 1979 is so much fun. Just perfect rock and roll pop, perfectly produced.
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posted by mediareport at 6:16 AM on January 17, 2021
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posted by mediareport at 6:16 AM on January 17, 2021
Been a fan since the 1970s but didn't get to see them until 2008 which was only Sylvain and Johansen from the original band but it was a great show.
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posted by octothorpe at 6:32 AM on January 17, 2021
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posted by octothorpe at 6:32 AM on January 17, 2021
Also a lot of fun was the rockabilly/pop band he had in the early 80s called Syl Sylvain and the Teardrops, with Rosie Rex on drums (they were married at the time) and Danny Reid on bass. Here they are in March 1982 on Swedish TV’s Måndagsbörsen performing ‘Formidable’.
Back it up to about 3:15 if you want to see what I'm told is a characteristically awkward interview conducted by the show's hosts.
posted by theory at 6:54 AM on January 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
Back it up to about 3:15 if you want to see what I'm told is a characteristically awkward interview conducted by the show's hosts.
posted by theory at 6:54 AM on January 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
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posted by SystematicAbuse at 7:33 AM on January 17, 2021
posted by SystematicAbuse at 7:33 AM on January 17, 2021
He was so sweet and earnest.
Let's all up our game on that front.
posted by Glomar response at 7:34 AM on January 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
Let's all up our game on that front.
posted by Glomar response at 7:34 AM on January 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
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posted by cooker girl at 7:41 AM on January 17, 2021
posted by cooker girl at 7:41 AM on January 17, 2021
And then there was one. Fuck me. I love the NY Dolls, though I never got to see them. You will be missed Mr Sylvain. Here's a track for old time sake.
posted by evilDoug at 8:32 AM on January 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by evilDoug at 8:32 AM on January 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
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posted by biggreenplant at 10:23 AM on January 17, 2021
posted by biggreenplant at 10:23 AM on January 17, 2021
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