Arthur Kane, 55; Original Bassist in Punk Band New York Dolls

Arthur Kane, 55, the original bassist in the recently reunited punk band New York Dolls, died Tuesday in Los Angeles of complications from leukemia, according to the band’s manager, Darren Hill.

Kane, a New York native, had been suffering from severe flu-like symptoms for several days before entering the hospital earlier this week.

In a statement on behalf of himself and guitarist Sylvain Sylvain, Dolls frontman David Johansen said: “Sylvain and I have lost a one-in-a-million friend.... His bass playing and presence were the heart and soul of the New York Dolls and the secret ingredient of our sound.”

Kane helped form the New York Dolls in 1972. The Dolls recorded only two studio albums before they split in 1975, but their visceral sound and glam-punk image influenced the punk-rock wave that followed.

Johansen said Kane had managed to conquer years of alcoholism that stemmed from an abusive childhood.

“Practically every trauma that could befall a person happened to Arthur, but finally, 12 years ago, through spiritual studies, he was able to overcome that vicious cycle and put his life back together,” Johansen said.

Kane spent the last few years working at the Family History Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Los Angeles. But he rejoined the Dolls for several performances this year after British singer and Dolls fan Morrissey persuaded the band to play two shows at London’s Meltdown Festival last month.

The Dolls have decided to carry on with an Aug. 14 performance at the Little Steven’s International Underground Garage Festival in New York City, Hill said.