Photo: Randy Bachman/Getty Images

David Johansen, lead singer for the New York Dolls, died at the age of 75 on February 28, reports the New York Times. He was the last surviving member of the original 1971 lineup for the band. Last month, Johansen asked for assistance with his medical bills through the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, sharing he had Stage 4 cancer as well as a brain tumor and a broken back. “David Johansen passed away peacefully at home, holding the hands of his wife Mara Hennessey and daughter Leah, in the sunlight surrounded by music and flowers,” the fund updated on the page for his donations. Johansen’s life was the subject of a documentary by Martin Scorsese called Personality Crisis: One Night Only, where they followed Johansen as he prepares for a performance as Buster Poindexter, his musical alter ego.

Born on January 9, 1950, Johnasen thrived as a frontman to several bands. In the late 60s, he began his musical journey as the singer of his hometown Staten Island band called the Vagabond Missionaires before eventually moving onto the New York Dolls. Despite not being a part of the band’s inception, Johansen’s role in the band was instrumental, as even throughout the band’s hiatuses and breakup Johansen would always return as the Dolls’ leading vocalist. However, Johansen achieved the most commercial success as Buster Poindexter; one of his most popular tunes was “Hot Hot Hot.”