Written by: Alex Green

Sylvain Sylvain of The New York Dolls has died.

The Egyptian-born musician who was felled by cancer, was 69.

The guitarist, who was born Sylvain Mizrahi in Cairo, made his way with his family to Paris before they finally settled in New York in the early ’60s.

Sylvain played in the band Actress with Arthur Kayne, Billy Murcia and Johnny Thunders before they recruited singer David Johansen and rechristened themselves as the New York Dolls.

Of the band, British journalist Nick Kent declared they were “quintessential glam rockers” while Robert Christgau wrote that they were “the best hard-rock band since the Rolling Stones.”

Sylvain announced he had cancer back in 2019.

On his Facebook page a statement reads: “While we grieve his loss, we know that he is finally at peace and out of pain. Please crank up his music, light a candle, say a prayer and let’s send this beautiful doll on his way.”