AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Buster Poindexter

Artist:Buster Poindexter

Song:Hot Hot Hot

Album:Buster Poindexter

David Johansen was lead singer of the 70s Glam Rock band The New York Dolls. After they split up, Johansen recorded solo in the late 70s. Then he created this lounge lizard character Buster Poindexter and that's when he had his greatest success with the 1987 single Hot Hot Hot. I'm sure folks have heard this record and have no idea who is behind it. Johansen was born Jan. 9, 1950 in Staten Island, NY. His father was a one time Norwegian opera singer who sold insurance. His mother was a librarian. After graduating from high school, he got into the New York theater and music scene and became lead singer of The New York Dolls. Glam Rock was a thing in the mid 70s. But after releasing two albums for Mercury, the band split up and Johansen signed a solo deal with Columbia's Blue Sky label. After recording three unsuccessful albums, he created the Buster Poindexter character in 1982. Johansen wanted to have some fun performing in a local club. The music is based on Louis Jordan Jump Blues. He decided to call himself Buster Poindexter because he didn't want New York Dolls fans coming to the shows. His band started as a three piece band. It grew to a nine piece band complete with horn section called Banshees of Blue. After they appeared on Saturday Night Live, Poindexter signed with RCA Records and released the 1987 album Buster Poindexter. The single Hot Hot Hot reached #45 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was written and originally recorded by Soca artist Arrow. The album was produced by Hank Medress. He was a member of The Tokens who turned to production after they split up. The arrangements were written by pianist Joe Delia. Johansen recorded two albums as Poindexter. He said in an interview that Hot Hot Hot was the bane of his life due to its pervasive popularity. But it's his biggest hit so I don't think he can complain too much. Johansen also got into acting mostly in bit parts. But you may remember him as Eli Zavitz on three episodes of the HBO series Oz. The New York Dolls reunited in 2004 to tour and they recorded three albums. And Johansen even recorded a couple of Buster Poindexter albums. Showtime released a Martin Scorsese documentary about Johansen called Personality Crisis: One Night Only. Johansen was diagnosed with cancer in 2020. He died on Feb. 28, 2025 at age 75. Here's David Johansen performing Hot Hot Hot on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour 1988.