Over the course of his long musical career, David Johansen has been something of a chameleon. He made a name for himself fronting the New York Dolls, where the grit met the glamour in ramshackle disharmony on New York City streets. Johansen was wildly influential on the punk scenes on both sides of the Atlantic in the ‘70s and hit the top of the charts in the ‘80s as Buster Poindexter. More recently, he has reunited with the New York Dolls and has also branched out into country blues with the Harry Smiths.
But while many can lay claim to longtime fandom with Johansen, few can take it as far back as Tony Falco, owner of the Falcon in Marlboro. “I grew up on the same block as him on Staten Island,” said Falco. “We went to the same elementary school. In fact, I was David’s paperboy in 1969; I delivered the Staten Island Advance to his family for a few years when I was a kid. I remember hanging out in awe, watching David rehearse with his band, the Vagabond Missionaries, back in those days.”
It all comes full circle for Falco and Johansen this Saturday, when the David Johansen Duo performs at the Falcon in what is anticipated as a career-spanning retrospective. Brian Koonin, a multi-instrumentalist who has worked with Johansen in the Harry Smiths, recent incarnations of the New York Dolls and on other projects, rounds out the duo.
“The Falcon will be a perfect venue for this show,” said Falco. “It’s the right atmosphere with the right audience: a place to really get to hear an artist in an intimate setting with great food and drink.”
For Falco, the performance is especially exciting. “I’ve been producing music shows for many years now, but I must say that I have never been more psyched for a show here at the Falcon in Marlboro. David has always been a musical hero of mine. He’s one of the very few genuine New York City rock ‘n’ roll legends, like Lou Reed and Joey Ramone.”
Though there is no cover charge at the Falcon, Falco noted a suggested donation of $20.
The David Johansen Duo performs at the Falcon on Saturday, July 28. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for dinner, with the show beginning at 7 p.m. The Falcon is located at 1348 Route 9W in Marlboro. For more information, visit www.liveatthefalcon.com or call (845) 236-7970.
Join the family! 
