Sylvain Sylvain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sylvain Sylvain
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Sylvain in 2005
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Sylvain Sylvain Mizrahi |
| Born | February 14, 1951 Cairo, Egypt |
| Origin | New York City, U.S. |
| Died | January 13, 2021 (aged 69) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1971-2021 |
Sylvain Mizrahi (born February 14, 1951 – died January 13, 2021) was a talented American rock guitarist. He was best known by his stage name, Sylvain Sylvain. He was a key member of the famous band, the New York Dolls.
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Early Life and Style
Sylvain was born in Cairo, Egypt. His family moved from Egypt in the 1950s. They first went to France, then settled in New York, United States. They lived in Buffalo, New York for a while. Later, they moved to Queens, a part of New York City, when he was still young. Sylvain had dyslexia, which means he sometimes had trouble with reading. He went to high school in Queens and another special school in Manhattan.
Before he joined the New York Dolls, Sylvain and his friend Billy Murcia had a clothing company. It was called "Truth and Soul." This company helped him develop his unique style. This style later became a big part of the band's famous look. Sylvain had a brother named Leon and a sister named Brigitte.
Music Career Highlights
Before joining the New York Dolls in 1971, Sylvain was in a band called Actress. This band also included Arthur Kane, Johnny Thunders, and Billy Murcia. Sylvain played rhythm guitar for the New York Dolls. He was with them from 1971 until the band broke up in 1977. Sylvain and singer David Johansen were the last original members when the group ended.
After the New York Dolls, Sylvain often played with David Johansen on his solo music. He also started his own band, The Criminals. He continued to perform in New York clubs. He signed a solo record deal with RCA. He released an album with Lee Crystal on drums and Johnny Ráo on guitar.
In the early 1990s, Sylvain moved to Los Angeles. He recorded an album called Sleep Baby Doll. His bandmates for this album were Brian Keats (drums), John Carlucci (bass), and Olivier LeBaron (lead guitar). Special guests included Frank Infante from Blondie and Derwood Andrews from Generation X.
New York Dolls Reunion
In 2004, Sylvain reunited with the surviving members of the New York Dolls. Steve Conte, Brian Koonin, and Brian Delaney also joined. Arthur Kane had passed away in 2004, so Sami Yaffa took his place. The reunited band released three albums: One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This, Cause I Sez So, and Dancing Backward in High Heels. A documentary about Arthur Kane, called New York Doll, was filmed during this reunion and released in 2005.
Other Projects
On March 18, 2010, Sylvain started a new band called The Batusis. He formed it with Cheetah Chrome at the South by Southwest music festival. They released an EP on Smog Veil Records.
In November 2012, Sylvain released a video for his new song, "Leaving New York." The song became available on iTunes in December 2012.
In 2015, Sylvain formed another new band called Sylvain Sylvain and the Sylvains. This band was from Austin, Texas. Its members included Chris Alaniz (drums), Jason "Ginchy" Kottwitz (guitar), and Gabriel Von Asher (bass). They performed at South by Southwest in March 2016.
In 2018, Sylvain teamed up with Steve Conte, Sami Yaffa, and Robert Eriksson. They played two special shows in Tokyo as "The Dolls." They performed at Shinjuku Marz and Shimokitazawa Garden in February.
Personal Life and Passing
After living in Atlanta for several years, Sylvain moved to Nashville in 2015.
On April 27, 2019, Sylvain shared that he had cancer. He created a GoFundMe page to help raise money for his treatment. He passed away from cancer at his home on January 13, 2021. He was 69 years old.
Discography
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With New York Dolls
- New York Dolls (1973, Mercury Records)
- Too Much Too Soon (1974, Mercury Records)
- One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This (2006, Roadrunner Records)
- Cause I Sez So (2009, Atco Records)
- Tokyo Dolls Live (credited to 'David and Sylvain') – a live album by the Dolls line-up of Johansen and Sylvain with Peter Jordan/Chris Robison/Tony Machine. French Fan Club/New Rose.
- New York Dolls Red Patent Leather – live album of McLaren-era Dolls allegedly produced by Sylvain, with original manager Marty Thau credited as Executive Producer
- Dancing Backward in High Heels (2011, 429 Records)
As Sylvain Sylvain
- Sylvain Sylvain (1979, RCA Records)
- Sleep Baby Doll (1998, Fishhead Records)
- Leaving New York single (2012, self-released)
With Syl Sylvain and the Teardrops
- Syl Sylvain and the Teardrops (1981, RCA Records)
With Sylvain Sylvain and The Criminal$
- 78 Criminals (1985, Fan Club)
- Bowery Butterflies (2000, Munster Records)
With She Wolves
- Sheena Is a Punk Rocker single (2007, Poptown Records)
With the Batusis
- Batusis EP (2010, Smog Veil Records)
With Roman Sandals
- This Is It Single (1984, Body Rock)
As producer
- River City Rebels, Hate To Be Loved album (2004, Victory Records).
- 'Motorcycle Boy', 'Popsicle' album (1991,Triple X Records).
See also
In Spanish: Sylvain Sylvain para niños
