Throwback: Happy 76th Birthday, David Johansen!

It’s 2026 y’all. May it be a kinder, better year for all of us. January is a busy month for music birthdays. 

• Gang of Four co-founder and guitarist Andy Gill was born 70 years ago on January 1
• The pioneering and legendary Grandmaster Flash celebrated his 68th birthday on January 1
• French touch pioneer Thomas Bangalter, best known for his work in Stardust and the multi-Grammy Award-winning duo Daft Punk celebrated his 51st birthday on January 3
• The legendary Stephen Stills, known for his work with Buffalo Springfield, Crosby Stills and Nash, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, as well as for being a solo artist, celebrated his 81st birthday on January 3
• Led Zeppelin‘s John Paul Jones celebrated his 80th — yes, 80th — birthday on January 3
• Denise Katrina Matthews, best known as Vanity was born 67 years ago on January 4
• Joy Division and New Order founder Bernard Sumner celebrated his 70th — yes, y’all, 70th! — birthday on January 4
• Portishead frontperson Beth Gibbons celebrated her 60th — yes, ya’ll, 60th! — birthday on January 4
• Cocteau Twins‘ co-founder, multi-instrumentalist and producer Robin Guthrie celebrated his 64th birthday on January 4
• R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe celebrated his 66th birthday on January 4
• Blondie co-founder and guitarist Chris Stein celebrated his 76th birthday on January 5
• Sister Sledge‘s Kathy Sledge celebrated her 67th birthday on January 6
• AC/DC co-founder, rhythm guitarist, songwriter and backing vocalist Malcolm Young was born 73 years ago on January 6
• The Doors‘ Robby Krieger celebrated his 80th — yes, ya’ll 80th — birthday on January 8
• The legendary David Bowie was born 79 years ago on January 8

David Johansen, best known as a punk rock pioneer with New York Dolls, for a lengthy solo career and for his lounge singing alter ego Buster Poindexter was born on this day 76 years ago.

His work has been toweringly influential with countless artists citing his work with New York Dolls as an influence on them, including Morrisey and The Smiths, Sex Pistols, Ramones, The Clash, Guns ‘N’ Roses, David Bowie, Billy Idol and more. 

Happy birthday, David! Happy birthday, wherever you are!

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