Aka David Johansen of The New York Dolls @ CAFE CARLYLE
Buster Poindexter, the alter ego of David Johansen, the mastermind, architect and dominant energy behind what became punk rock music, will be performing at the eloquent and luxurious Café Carlyle in the heart of New York City, from February 10 through February 21.
Johansen changed the history of music forever, and has influenced such bands and artists as Billy Idol, Adam Ant, Alice Cooper, The Sex Pistols, Kiss, The Ramones, Guns and Roses and others. As Buster, he sings the blues, jazz, calypso and pop, and is known for his hit single “HOT, HOT, HOT.” He is also an accomplished actor and has appeared in such films as “Car 54, Where are You?,” “Freejack,” “Tales From the Crypt” and “Scrooged,” as the ghost of Christmas past. Johansen has also been seen on TV on “Saturday Night Live” and the HBO series “Oz,” just to name a few of his many credits.
At the Carlyle, Buster Poindexter will be showcasing a unique variety of songs, and should not be missed, as in the past his performances have all been sold out. The Carlyle is located at 35 E 76th Street, and reservations can be made by calling (212) 744-1600 or online at wwwticketweb.com.
I was completely honored by the privilege of having a conversation with what I consider to be “the coolest man in the world.”
What’s it like to be the coolest man in the world?
It’s cool.
You are going to be appearing at the famous Café Carlyle on February 10 to the 21st, and your show is titled?
Buster Poindexter at The Café Carlyle. What do you mean by a title? You mean like, “The Greatest Show on Earth”?
Yes! That’s a good title.
OK, call it “The Greatest Show on Earth.”
What can we expect musically from “The Greatest Show on Earth” then?
Oh, every song is wonderful.
Are you going to sing “Heart of Gold”?
As a matter of fact, I will.
The New York Dolls were probably the most influential bands of the century. Did you ever imagine back then that you would be changing rock history forever?
Well, I didn’t really think about it, but if someone would have mentioned that that was going to happen, I really wouldn’t have been surprised.
You have had quite a diverse career. You have gone from The New York Dolls to the ghost in Scrooge. I mean, who does that? And you are actually two people. What motivated you to invent Buster Poindexter?
Well, there was a lot of songs I wanted to sing, but it was really hard for me to find a place to do it. So I thought, well, if I just changed my name, when people come to see Buster Poindexter, they won’t be screaming “Funky But Chic” or something like that. So I thought I would create this conceit so I could sing whatever I felt like singing. You know, if I did a David Johansen show or a New York Dolls show, you know you’re gonna get those songs. There are songs that I like that I wanna sing.
Who is more fun, David or Buster?
Who’s more fun? Well, you know, that’s hard for me to say. Some people would say David’s more fun, other people would say Buster’s more fun. Some people would say that Buster’s terribly obnoxious, and other people would say that David Johansen takes things way too seriously.
While you were growing up, who did you listen to on the radio?
I liked Little Richard, Fats Domino, Nolan Strong and The Diablos. Stuff like that.
How do think the music industry has changed through the years?
I don’t really know anything about the music industry. I don’t even know what that is really. I just kind of do my own thing. I’ve never really been in the music industry. People in the music industry are people who are just trying to make a lot of money, and they’re not really doing something that is “passionate.” So for me, and most of the people that I know, music is something that comes first. If you can make a living out of it, fine, but one would do it anyway.
Do you recall the funniest thing that has ever happened to you live?
One time I was on The Grammys with Little Richard. I was really excited, and then he kind of went crazy on television. He was telling me to shut up.
So I have a couple of non-industry questions for you. If you could pick two celebrities to be your parents, whom would you select?
Liz and Dick.
If you were a porn star, what would your name be?
“The Boss”—you know, like Springsteen.
Do you believe in love at first sight?
Sure.
You are a new addition to a crayon box. What color would you be?
Honey.
Is there anything else that you would like to say or promote?
Just that I have a great show at The Carlyle. “Times” said today that this is the show that is not to be missed.
Well, “Get Out!” is going to agree!
It’s really hard to compare this to anything, because there is nothing else like it in the world. The Poindexter show has its own genre. You can’t say it’s like this or it’s like that, because it’s not like anything else.
Are you going to do “Hot, Hot, Hot”?
I don’t wanna make a big deal out of it, because there are so many other great songs. That song, I know a lot of people really like it, a lot of people don’t like it, which is a sign of an important song, because people have opinions about it. I sang it, and it became a hit.
Cause it was fun.
There are so many songs that, as time goes by, that I wanna sing. So I gotta make room for everything.
I understand that you are going to do something special for Valentine’s Day. Is that true?
Absolutely!
