• AOL
  • MAIL
    • You might also like: 
    • Music | 
    • Movies | 
    • TV | 
    • Celebrity News
    •  and More
    Sign In / Register
Spinner
  • Main
  • Spinner RPM
  • Features
    • The Hit List
    • Spinner Interview
    • Tributes & Essays
    • Music Appreciation
  • Songs
    • Free MP3 of the Day
    • Play Full Albums Free
  • Videos
    • The Interface
    • Sessions
    • Video of the Day
    • All Videos
  • Radio
    • AOL Radio
    • AOL Radio Toolbar
    • Shoutcast
  • AOL Music Sites
    • The Boot
    • The BoomBox
    • Noisecreep
    • AOL Music Blog
  • SXSW
  • Send Feedback
  • Dianna Agron Glee

    Hear New 'Glee' Songs
  • Sharon Van Etten

    Hear Sharon Van Etten's 'Tramp' for Free
  • Beyonce

    Get Beyonce News
  • Faith Hill

    Faith Hill Shares Tips for Staying in Shape
  • Ringo Starr

    Read Ringo Starr Interview
  • Janet Jackson

    Super Bowl Halftime Bloopers
  • Kellie Pickler

    Read Kellie Pickler Interview
  • Chris Brown

    Chris Brown 'Wins' Unwelcome Award

Spinner Exclusives

  • The Interface - Live Performances
  • Listening Parties - New CDS for Free
  • Spinner Radio
  • Listening Parties - New CDS for Free

Features

  • Best Songs 2011
  • Top Albums of 2011
  • Sad Songs
  • Music Geeks in Film
  • Best Opening Lyrics

All Categories

  • Monthly Mixtape(1)
  • A Day in the Life(5)
  • All About Jazz(96)
  • Awards(232)
  • Free MP3 Download of the Day(1673)
  • Around the World(205)
  • Between the Notes(36)
  • Book Club(94)
  • Celebrity Doppelganger(18)
  • Clash of the Cover Songs(49)
  • Coming Out Stories(23)
  • Concerts and Tours(6842)
  • Count Five(83)
  • Exclusive(5977)
  • Guest Blogger(133)
  • Holy Hell(1016)
  • I Fought the Law(111)
  • I Freakin' Love This Song(252)
  • In House(12)
  • Listen Up!(18)
  • Movies(424)
  • Music Appreciation(123)
  • New Music(861)
  • New Releases(614)
  • News(12267)
  • PhotoSynthesis(88)
  • Picture Book(31)
  • Politics as Usual(61)
  • Pop Culture(93)
  • Potent Quotables(776)
  • Q + A(493)
  • Quizzes & Trivia(6)
  • R.I.P.(454)
  • Road Report(61)
  • Rock Almanac(366)
  • Rock Hall(44)
  • RPM(263)
  • Spinner Says(15)
  • Spinner Interview(212)
  • Television(243)
  • The Chum Bucket(777)
  • The Hit List(1388)
  • Twisted Tales(194)
  • Video(1784)
  • Video of the Day(1225)
  • What's That Song?(134)

Potent Quotables: Johansen's a Humble Doll

  • Posted on Jul 22nd 2009 1:00PM by Adam Horne
  • Comments
Email This

"I don't really like to sit around the house listening to my own records. They're not that good." -- David Johansen

In a shocking, some might say refreshing, display of rock star modesty, the New York Dolls frontman reveals his insecurity. "I'm afraid of me," he adds. "Sometimes when I hear my voice on tape, I'm like, 'Who is that horrible man?'"

Next Quote
  • Filed under: Potent Quotables
  • Email This

All the AOL Music info you want to know

Dierks Bentley, 'Live on Letterman'…

The Boot

Ethan Miller, Getty Images Country takes over the city, as Dierks Bentley is…

Drake, Juno Awards 2012: Young Money MC…

The Boombox

Getty Images After hosting the Juno Awards last year -- the Canadian…

Grammy Awards: Hip-Hop and R&B Albums…

The Boombox

Amazon.com The Best Rap Album category was born in 1996, during the…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum
15

18 Comments

Filter by:
rock n roll nurse

a little humility isn't a bad thing. I don't think its all that uncommon to not like the sound of one's voice- especially on a recording! Soooo many bands were influenced by the Dolls- often imitated- but never as good. And as for the Buster Poindexter thing- well, you still hear "hot, hot, hot" quite a bit- movies, commercials, etc. David has evolved thru the years- and that's a good thing. It's incredible that they're out here 35 yrs. later- making new music- and not resting on their laurels. As long as DavidJo keeps making music, I'll keep listening! (As no one else mentioned it, do check out David Johansen and The Harry Smiths- yet another side of this VERY talented man!)

November 14 2009 at 7:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
duncanmax912

New York Dolls kicked ass!! We need more bands like them today...

October 06 2009 at 5:07 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
DEE

Cheeez.......Who beat this guy with an ugly stick? Not trying to be mean but just saying.......you know?

August 18 2009 at 1:38 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
STARTREK

Sorry....The Dolls sucked....Buster sucked a little less

July 27 2009 at 10:17 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
aerofan4ever

guess what dude,ur RIGHT,over rated crap....might go down in punk hitory cause we all know that no1 knew their ass from a hole in the ground then......stick another needle in ur arm and go the fuck away

July 27 2009 at 9:18 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to aerofan4ever's comment
DIOS

David is not nor has he ever been a junkie
in fact hes very much into YOGA
you ought to see the DOLLS if you wwant to see a real rock blues band with REAL MUSICIANS
and if your taking about AEROFAN as in arossnmith they were all junkies and drunks
Stevens been married how many times and he beats women
read his first wifes book hes a jerk too I met him really full of himself and full of crap too
and they worshiped the NY DOLLS espeically the orginal member Johnny Thunders

August 27 2009 at 2:43 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Kim

new york dolls are going to be important no matter what. but yeah, their music isn't really my thing.

July 27 2009 at 3:26 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
ycav4424

Maybe to a true artist, their work can never be good enough for them but is for others. That would make them keep trying to make it the best that they can.

July 26 2009 at 5:02 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Tom

In the early 70's, when the local FM rock station (KSHE95) refused to play the "new" proto-punk bands like the Stooges (Iggy) or Velvet Underground, or the New York Dolls, they lost all "cool" cred.to me and my friends. Thank God for the FM college stations in St. Louis. Without those stations to continue Rock's evolvement, I would be without the Sex Pistols,the Clash,Black Flag, Richard Hell and the Voidoids,the Vibrators, Circle Jerks,the Jam,Television,Buzzcocks, ect, ect.I could go on and on. And at the age of 57, I realize that these bands are from 30 years ago! Yikes! But you all Kicked Ass, and I've got the vinyl to prove it!
Saw you live in Springfield, Mo. of all places.

July 26 2009 at 4:32 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Tom's comment
Shells

Ooooh yeaaaah!!!! Saw NY Dolls in Miami w/ Mott The Hoople and Aerosmith!! Early 70's!!

September 16 2010 at 8:16 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Ricky

Buster had a minor hit in the 80's "Hot Hot Hot" and he was als in a pretty funny movie with Richard Dreyfuss called let it ride...

July 26 2009 at 1:44 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Doug

How many people here remember his turn as Buster Poindexter in the '80's? That truly was NOT that good. Props to David for admitting as much.

July 26 2009 at 1:32 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Load more comments

Follow Us

  • Newsletter
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Sign Up for Spinner's Newsletter! Get free MP3s, play a selection of each week's new albums free, read features, win sweet music swag and more!




  • Contact Us
  • Send News Tips
  • Advertise with Us

SIGN UP FOR SPINNER'S NEWSLETTER

  • Get free MP3s, play a selection of each week's new albums free, read features, win sweet music swag and more!

  • Sign Up!

AOL Radio

Listen to Slacker AOL Radio Now
play arrow
Top Indie - Today's best indie rock and pop
play arrow
Indie Rock Mix - A mix of new and old indie rock
play arrow
New Indie First - The latest in indie music
Online Radio Guide

Listen to Full CDs

  • Paul McCartney, 'Kisses on the Bottom'
  • Sharon Van Etten, 'Tramp'
  • AIR, 'Le Voyage Dans La Lune'
  • Bahamas, 'Barchords'
  • Band of Skulls, 'Sweet Sour'
  • Play More Albums Free

Most Popular

  • Madonna Super Bowl Halftime Show: Romans, Cheerleaders and MIA's Middle Finger
    Like

    202

  • Katy Perry Divorce: With No Prenup How Much Will Russell Walk Away With?
    Like

    10

  • Randy Travis Apologizes for Public Intoxication
    Like

    246

  • M.I.A., Fiance Benjamin Bronfman Split, Singer Rarely Sees Son -- Report
    Like

    53

  • Randy Travis Arrested in Texas
    Like

    239

  • Josh Powell's Last Words: 'I Am Not Able To Go On Anymore': Report
    Like

    956

  • Alori Joh Dead: Singer and Kendrick Lamar Affiliate Dies at 25
    Like

    84

  • The Best Colleges For The Socially Awkward Student
    Like

    3K

  • Puddle of Mudd Singer Arrested in January for Drug Possession
    Like

    140

  • Powell 911 Call Released: Cops Declare Investigation Of Missing Mom A Murder Case
    Like

    322

  • Cee Lo's Super Bowl Strip Club Outing: Singer Reportedly Drops $10K
    Like

    45

  • American Heart Month: 17 Celebrities Who Faced Heart Problems
    Like

    18

  • Thudda Boy Dead: Rapper Brondon McDaniel Dies From Gunshot Wound
    Like

    40

  • PHOTOS: Anti-Gay Protesters Getting Pwned
    Like

    2K

  • Chi Cheng Improving: Deftones Bassist Raises Leg After Three Years in Coma
    Like

    179

  • PHOTO: Miley Cyrus Wears Racy Garters
    Like

    63

  • Laura Linney's Colorful Frocks
    Like

    9

  • Is Social Media Causing The Mystery Illness?
    Like

    1K

  • PHOTOS: Massive Whale Shark Reeled Into Harbor
    Like

    1K

  • The Best And Worst Burgers
    Like

    126

  • Powell Boys Suffered 'Chop Injuries' Before Explosion
    Like

    457

  • Prop 8, California's Same-Sex Marriage Ban, Declared Unconstitutional
    Like

    16K

  • WATCH: Gisele Curses Drops By Patriots Receivers
    Like

    1K

  • Freakish Fossil Upends Ideas About Origins Of Animal Life
    Like

    242

  • Missing Alaska Barista Had Filed Restraining Order Against Man
    Like

    263

  • Obama's Favorite Day As President?
    Like

    681

  • The Worst Super Bowl Commercials Of 2012
    Like

    114

  • The 10 Biggest Sources Of Salt In Our Diets
    Like

    560

  • Melissa Rivers' Boyfriend Brings Up Her Dad's Suicide In Argument On 'Joan & Melissa'
    Like

    29

  • Santorum Sweeps Colorado, Missouri, Minnesota, Embarrassing Romney
    Like

    995

  • Good Things Come In Small Packages: Top Selling American Craft Breweries (PHOTOS)
    Like

    808

  • Post 50 Celebrity Dream Homes on the Market (PHOTOS)
    Like

    15

  • 1 Can Of Paint, 25 Different Ways
    Like

    132

Also on AOL

Quick Links

  • Slipknot Masks
  • Saddest Songs
  • Funny Music Videos
  • SXSW 2011

Also on AOL Music

  • Concert Tickets
  • Grammys 2012
  • Music Videos
  • New Music Releases

Blogs on AOL

  • Country Music
  • Hip Hop Music
  • Metal Music
  • Pop Music News

More on AOL

  • Best Lyrics
  • Best Metal Songs
  • Break Up Songs
  • Online Radio

More on AOL

  • Christmas Music
  • Classic Rock Songs
  • Best Songs of 2010
  • SHOUTcast

Help Links

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Trademarks
  • About Our Ads
  • Follow Spinner on Twitter
  • The Interface
  • Free MP3
  • Full CDs
  • RSS

Spinner.com © 2011 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.