Punk pioneers New York Dolls has paid their respects to former manager Malcolm McLaren, who died yesterday (April 8th).
Malcolm McLaren begin his assault on dropout hippy culture with a shop. Forming ‘Let It Rock’ with his partner Vivienne Westwood the pair took their inspiration from the mid 50s heyday of rock ‘n’ roll and teenage rebellion.
Into the shop one day walked New York Dolls. Strung out, the band oozed rock charisma and McLaren was immediately smitten. Eventually becoming their manager, the helped provide the blueprint for punk rock.
Maintaining a healthy relationship with the band, Malcolm McLaren was friends with New York Dolls until his sad death yesterday (April 8th).
Issuing a statement, singer David Johansen paid his respects to the group’s one time manager. “Malcolm McLaren was such a marvelous amalgam of exuberation, sensuality,
culture and literacy” the frontman explained.
“All of this was salted with the essential recognition of his own rascality. He was the perfect preservation against stuffiness and a lack of humanity. We are going to miss him terribly.”
Continuing, guitarist Sylvain Sylvain explained that Malcolm McLaren had a profound impact on punk rock. “Malcolm opened up the doors for punk music around the world,” he said.
“He was a visionary and took what was going on in New York City and made it global. He was a massive influence on everyone who ever had a punk shop or a punk band. His passing represents the final chapter in an era when music was exciting.”
