New York Dolls guitarist and punk icon Sylvain Sylvain dies aged 69

Legendary proto-punk act New York Dolls performing live at The Old Vic Tunnels, London on the 30th March 2011.
(Image credit: Phil Bourne/Redferns via Getty Images)

Sylvain Sylvain, New York Dolls guitarist and one of the architects of NYC punk, died aged 69 on Wednesday January 13 following a battle with cancer.

Patti Smith guitarist Lenny Kaye broke the news on Sylvain’s Facebook page, where he wrote, “As most of you know, Sylvain battled cancer for the past two and 1/2 years. Though he fought it valiantly, yesterday he passed away from this disease.

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Michael Astley-Brown
Editor-in-Chief, GuitarWorld.com

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.