David Johansen, a native of New York City, began his musical journey as a teenager by singing in rock and roll dance bands. This early experience ultimately led him to join forces with Charles Ludlum's Ridiculous Theater and co-found the legendary New York Dolls.
The New York Dolls, a highly influential rock and roll band, went on to create two iconic records before disbanding in the mid-1970s. Following this, Johansen formed the David Johansen Group, which released six highly acclaimed albums and toured extensively, performing hits like "Funky but Chic" for nearly a decade.
During this period, Johansen also began performing Jump Blues, Calypso, and pre-Hayes code rock and roll under the alter ego Buster Poindexter. The success of these shows led to the release of four internationally acclaimed CDs by Buster Poindexter.
In addition to his thriving music career, Johansen has also made a name for himself in the world of film and television. He has appeared in various movies, including Let It Ride (1989) and Scrooged (1988),and has made numerous television appearances, including a stint as a cast member on Saturday Night Live (1975).