Flaming Pablum Photo Quiz: Answers

Like many of my favorite posts here on Flaming Pablum, what started off as essentially a lark turned into something of a time-consuming fixation. I breezily concocted this photo quiz in haste last week as a means of finally clearing my desktop of various pics I'd culled off the internet of favorite bands of mine posing on the streets of New York City. I'm not entirely sure why, but given my juvenile obsession with music and my fetishistic view of my ever-changing city, it seemed like the thing to do. I then posed the challenge to you -- the "user" -- to name the personages involved, the addresses depicted and the photographers responsible. Fun for my fellow sniveling music dorks and slavishly pedantic knowitalls ensued aplenty.

The problem, however, arose when it came time to pinpoint the exact locations pictured in the photographs. In most instances, I knew the exact spots. In others, however, I wasn't so sure. Wanting to be thorough, I started trying to divine the precise locations of the unsolved pictures. Given that the most recent photograph here is already two decades old and the amount of changes this city has seen in as many years, it's a wonder any of these locations still bear even the slightest resemblance at all to their incarnations in the 70's and 80's (when most of these shots were taken). As such, some of the questions remain frustratingly unsolved. Perhaps you can fill in the blanks?

Anyway, here are the answers, such as they are......

1. The New York Dolls on St. Marks Place (I think)

I probably shouldn't have started with this one, as I'm honestly not entirely positive where this shot was taken. It is, of course, a photo of The New York Dolls, taken from the same shoot by Bob Gruen that produced this fabled photo on the corner of St. Marks Place and Second Avenue in front of Gem Spa. Just a few years later, photographer Roberta Bayley reprised the famous photo (see question 8 below), finding the Dolls looking a little less celebratory and flamboyant. If you look closely, though, over on the right side of that shot (i.e. just a yard or so to the west back down St. Mark's Place), you'll see a row of five old school phone booths. I'm betting that these are the same phone booths pictured in the shot above.

Today, the wall where those phone booths would be is covered up by another structure that protrudes out onto the sidewalk. I can't remember if it's a t-shirt shop or a bong emporium, but it completely blocks the wall where those phone booths would have been. Below, however, is a picture of me in approximately the equivalent spot, albeit looking not nearly as glam.

2. Blondie on the southwest corner of West 30th Street & 8th Avenue

If you look closely at this photo, you can actually see the street sign giving away the location (just to the right of keyboardist Jimmy Destri's neck). What Blondie were doing on this rather yawnsome strip of 8th Avenue is a complete mystery to me. Were they opening for someone at nearby Madison Square Garden (or its accompanying Felt Forum)? Who knows? I found this photo originally on Tumblr, but it didn't come with any information, much less a photographer's credit, so I don't know too much else about it.

Today, this exact spot remains pretty dull. There's now a mailbox on the spot where bassist Nigel Harrison's sneakers are resting. The hotel in the background, however, is still in business.

3. Various members of the No Wave mob (including Kristian Hoffman of the Mumps, artist/filmmaker Diego Cortez, Contortions' manager/scene-maker Anya Phillips, Lydia Lunch, James Chance, Jim Sclavunos of Teenage Jesus, Bradley Field of Teenage Jesus and filmmaker Liz Seidman) hanging out on Bowery at Bleecker Street, in front of CBGB in the summer of 1978

Just for posterity, the dude on the far left in the Roxy Music t-shirt (the girls from the cover of Country Life) is evidently named Harold. This photo is by Godlis, and I've always thought it was completely cool.

Today, the Bowery is an entirely different place (see this recent post for details of same). CBGB is, of course, long gone, as are most of the surrounding concerns pictured above. Below is a shot of me standing in that same spot today. Not quite as cool, alas.

4. Arto Lindsay, Ikue Mori and Tim Wright of D.N.A. standing on the north point where Madison Street meets St. James Place

Of all the shots to track down, this one was probably my favorite, taken by © Laura Levine. I originally believed the location to be the corner of Grand Street and East Broadway. But when I made the long trek down there to photograph it, it was immediately clear that said assumption was incorrect. That corner isn't nearly as sharp and pointed as the one in the photo. I walked around down there for a while, vainly hoping to stumble across it, but came up empty. Later that same day, I connected the dots by looking at a map of the Lower East Side and discovered that there was another pointed corner just a little ways south. I raced back down the Bowery, veering to the left on St James Place to where it intersects with Madison Street, and there it was.

The building itself has recently been remodeled, but the pronounced apex where DNA stood is still very much recognizable. Two accommodating Australian tourists graciously snapped the picture of me (looking unnervingly portly) there below. Levine also captured the Violent Femmes on this very same corner in 1983.

5. Jodie Foster and Robert DeNiro as Iris and Travis in 'Taxi Driver' on East 13th, just east of Third Avenue

This one is a bit of a no-brainer. I think what makes it distinctive for me is that Gothic Cabinet Craft (the furniture signage pictured on the far, southwest corner behind them) is still there today. Below is me in approximately that same spot.

6. Kid Creole & the Coconuts in ... Midtown? Chelsea? Flatiron District?

Here’s another one that’s proven to be frustratingly elusive. Unfortunately, once again, I have no idea who took this photograph. I’d originally suspected that the picture was taken on the southwest corner of Broadway and East 21st street, but that turned out not to be the case, alas. Given the height of the buildings in the background, and especially the recessed “stepped” building in the very back, I want to say that this particular corner is somewhere west of Fifth Avenue, probably somewhere in the 20s, 30s or 40s. I tried to spy it this morning, but had no luck.

Can you name it?

Read more about Kid Creole by clicking right here.

7. Television in.... the East Village?

This awesome shot of Television was *probably* taken by, once again, the amazing Godlis. I have to say "probably" as I don't have any other documentation on the photo. That said, the guys in the band are wearing the exact same outfits they were wearing in the shoot by Godlis that turned out these familiar pictures, so I can only assume it was taken on the same day. From that same shoot, there's a shot of the band walking past the Holiday Bar on St. Marks Place between 1st and 2nd avenues. As such, this particular shot might have been taken on the northwest corner of St. Marks Place and Avenue A. That particular corner looks nothing like this today (there's now, of course, a pizza joint there), but as you'll see from a shot of only a few years later taken by Brooke Smith (scroll down to the 34th pic) there was indeed a Superette on that corner. Is it the same one? I have no idea. Failing that, I believe it could also be the northeast corner of Ludlow and Rivington. Look at the architectural detail atop the second story windows behind them. Could be, right? Still.... I cannot be sure.

Is it the northwest corner of St. Marks Place & Avenue A...

...or is it the northeast corner of Ludlow & Rivington?

....or is it neither?

8. The reunited New York Dolls on St. Marks Place & Second Avenue, in front of Gem Spa

I already spilled the details on this one above. I love this particular shot (again, by Roberta Bayley) as you can see (long-gone) Free Being Records to the right...on the 2nd Avenue side behind denim-clad Johnny Thunders. Gem Spa is, of course, still there, as you'll see below.

9. Kiss on the southwest corner of West 23rd Street & 8th Avenue

Just a few blocks south of the Blondie shot above, this outtake from a photo session by Bob Gruen was originally intended as part of a fumetti for Creem Magazine, before a very similar shot from the set was chosen for the front cover of the band's third album, Dressed to Kill (which was the first record I ever bought in my life). You can read more about this sleeve here.

Below is my woeful attempt to replicate Ace Frehley's signature coolness.

10. Sonic Youth on the corner of Crosby and Howard Streets

Taken, I believe, by photographer Michael Lavine, this shot finds Sonic Youth standing at the exact corner where Griffin Dunne's Paul Hacket is dropped off in the first reel of Martin Scorsese's "After Hours." Back then, SoHo was a desolate wilderness. Nowadays, this strip is very upmarket and, sadly, devoid of character. The woodworking business the band is standing in front of (see another pic of that corner around the same ere here), is now a posh clothiers (see below). 

11. The Dictators in..... ??

In retrospect, I really regret adding this one, as upon closer inspection, I don’t even think it depicts New York City. This is, of course, New York’s own Dictators – as captured by the legendary Bob Gruen -- causing trouble in the street, but which street is it? According to the Morrison Hotel gallery (who, y’know, really ought to know these things), this shot was taken in NYC, but I’ll be damned if I’ve ever seen a street sign like that `round these parts. I’d hasten to suggest that this picture actually shows the band in London, but I could be entirely mistaken. What say you?

12. The Beastie Boys (with Rick "DJ Double-R" Rubin).... somewhere around N.Y.U.

"Ugh, that could pretty much be anywhere!" So sayeth my wife upon viewing this picture of the Beastie Boys circa 1984, taken by one Josh Cheuse. While, true, it could have been taken anywhere, the architectural flourishes of the edifice of the building the boys are posing in front of are frustratingly familiar to me. Moreover, given that the band were headquartered out of Rick Rubin's NYU dorm on University Place at the time, I can't help thinking that this location must be somewhere around there. But, let me tell you, I've looked ... and I've looked (specifically for that distinctive concrete lip that AdRock and MCA are sitting on), and I keep coming up empty. I thought for a while it might be the southeast corner of East 12th Street and University Place (now the Rugby Store), but that's not it. Then, I was convinced it was the southwest corner of East 4th and Broadway (across from what was Tower Records), but that's not correct either. This has become my Holy Grail picture. But is this building even standing anymore?

As fate would have it, I found another shot by Cheuse from the same session, in front of the same building, which gives a tantalizing peek at the avenue to their right. Is that Lafayette Street? University Place? Broadway? See below.

Whoever can accurately name this spot gets a free and as-of-yet-non-existent Flaming Pablum t-shirt.

ADDENDUM: THIS PHOTO MYSTERY HAS NOW BEEN SOLVED!!!

Comments

[paulhw]

I have no answers since the albums and places are a little beyond me, but just want to congratulate you on this post. Terrific stuff.

[Geofferino]

Great post! That's a UK 'no entry' sign on the Dictators photo so good guess. Probably London, maybe Carnaby or Soho.

[bry]

the sign in the dictators picture is a 'no entry' sign in the u.k. so could be london.

had a coffee in that think coffee on the bowery last november... am told that the lizzies in the warriors had their hangout somewhere over that side of the road..

[BKNYCDreamin]

Great job on this!

[the G]

My 2 or 3 cents...

re: W.30th & 8th Ave./Blondie--at 251 W.30th (I think that's the address), between 7th & 8th, is a building with lots of music studios in it (at least there used to be). That could possibly be why they were on that block. Who knows? It's just east of 8th Ave.
I'm gonna take a guess and say that the Kid Creole photo may have been taken in front of that address (kinda looks like it), with the camera pointing east down W.30th.
Just guessing!

[Little Johnny Jewel]

A couple of comments...

Firstly: this was an excellent post, and it's nice to know it's not just me that thinks this way. This visiting of NYC locations of notable downtown music related photographs is exactly the kind of insanity that I am prone to.

Secondly: I am originally from London and that Dictators picture is driving me mad.
I feel like I know where that location is, but I can't put my finger on it. I'm sure it's up the north end of Soho, up around Broadwick St, or Great Marlborough St. I really hope somebody comes though with an answer and puts me out of my misery.

[starzstylista]

I don't think that's SMP & Ave A - Suprette - the fire hydrants and street lamps don't really change. There was a Superette on 7 st & 2nd Ave (Virage) 6 & 2nd (Van Dag) and of course 9th St & 2nd (24 hr. Grocery). I am getting a very 7th & 1st Ave vibe (Fruit Market - but unless it changed considerably c. 1980 - it didn't look like that) also 1st Ave & 9th St. If Godlis took it w/other pics near SMP - it prob. a 3-4 block radius. I say find the street lamp & fire hydrant and you've got a good start.

I also note it is a a corner with a drainage problem - and if memory serves 7th and 2nd ave was always very bad. I will blow up the pic to see if the CITY sign in the background will jog my memory.

[Lisa]

The Television shot is definitely St. Marks & A; look at the placement and number of windows on the side of the building, and compare it to the color image. The corner building on Ludlow & Rivington doesn't have the same window layout, and then down the block there's a building with a fancy old entrance, but there's nothing comparable in the b/w shot. Anyway, I remember that Superette on 8th and A, actually shopped there several times.

[James Taylor]

I'm going to disagree with Lisa. The placement of the windows is similar but the facade and cornices don't match. Besides a lick of paint every few years these things usually don't change much. Nor do the positions of lampposts and hydrants.

I don't know if this helps, but this shot shows the corner of St. Marks and Ave A in 1984, with the corner entrance cut away and a different (yet not exactly new-looking) "SUPERETTE" sign. http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelseanedwards/4402644633/in/set-72157622849479570

I think someone should go around to those corners suggested in a previous post... we'll get it eventually!

[James Taylor]

The Beastie Boys are on the corner of Broadway and 26th Street. I spotted the Flatiron building jutting out in the background. I'll take an size S please...

[dubarry]

Hi. It's definitely NOT the SMP & A - the little medallion above the the superette sign seems to say Stuyvesant? I've blown up the photo - the street is a different width than SMP - count the concrete squares (also different width than Ludlow). Also, besides the fire hydrant & light post, I would note the parking meters - they really don't change w/time much.

I cannot tell you how common these superettes were. It's not like now - when it's way to expensive to run a little store like this. They were all over the place. Additionally, since for some reason I remember the Talking Heads living on the Bowery around this time - it could be the near the Bowery. There were alot of little superettes there too. Did someone ask Godlis? What'd he say?

Also re: Kid Creole I am thinking somewhere around the original Danceteria - 45th & 6 was it?

[dubarry]

O it was Television. Sorry. See this is what happens when you live in the EV for 35 years and do the drugs concomitant with that stay.

[Al O]

"The G" was correct above, the Kid Creole shot is definitely taken in front of 251 W. 30th between 7th and 8th, looking southeast. I used to work on that block and pretty much recognized it immediately. The building still contains recording studios and rehearsal rooms and is called the New York Recording and Rehearsal Arts Building.

I'm pretty sure that's also why that Blondie shot was taken nearby, although they actually recorded their first couple of albums at Plaza Sound in Rockefeller Center.

I also think that James above has the correct location for the Beastie Boys shot. The building on the southwest corner of Broadway & 26th is a dead match. My cousin worked for Def Jam in the mid-80s and their offices were in the Flatiron Building then, so the location makes sense.

[GG Allin]

The Dolls (and post-Dolls) shots are definitely the same corner. Roberta shot the latter-day photo you mentioned for an article in (I think) Cream magazine? By that time DJ and Syl were doing their thing, the Heartbreakers were rolling, and Arthur was doing whatever it was he was doing.

[dubarry]

Those phone booths were around the corner from gem spa where the hat/sunglasses purveyors are on smp. Also, godlis says it was television on smp & a.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1444265959909&set=t.764843474&type=3&theater

[dubarry]

sorry. he said 1st ave 9 or 10. that makes more sense.

[Laura Levine]

Can you please update the DNA photo and the accompanying text to include my photo credit? I took that photo © Laura Levine. I also photographed the Violent Femmes at the same corner. I lived down the street on James and St. James. BTW, wouldn't it be easy to find out the photographer by plopping the image into the Google images search bar?