Dolls: 'Malcolm McLaren made punk global'

The surviving original members of the New York Dolls have paid tribute to their former colleague Malcolm McLaren, who died yesterday at the age of 64.

McLaren, who passed away after a battle with cancer, briefly helped with the band's affairs before their demise in 1975.

Lead singer David Johansen said: "Malcolm McLaren was such a marvellous amalgam of exuberation, sensuality, culture and literacy.

"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."

Guitarist Sylvain Sylvain added: "Malcolm opened up the doors for punk music around the world. 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."

The band have said that they will dedicate their 1973 single 'Jet Boy' to McLaren at their show at London's KOKO venue on April 19.

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