Autoamericana: Blondie at the Clocktower?

Spotted this on the Facebook page of the New York Rock & Roll Explorer and thought I'd share it here (though I spoke about it back here). This is a rare ad for the 1980 Blondie album Autoamerican, featuring a larger depiction of the cover painting (click on it to enlarge).

As I said back on that earlier post, this album's never been my favorite Blondie record (which would either be Parallel Lines or Eat to the Beat), but I've always loved the painting on the cover. I've also always wondered why guitarist Frank Infante is depicted brandishing a rainbow-colored broadsword.

Now, granted -- it's a painting, so there's a bit of artistic license involved, but I've always tried to glean where the band is supposed to be standing. My estimation, based on the proximity of the landmarks behind them is that they're on the roof of 108 Leonard Street (the home of the Clocktower Gallery in TriBeCa). This is the building as it looks from the street.

I've also suspected this address to be the same location for the video shoot of the Ramones' "We Want the Airwaves" video. See below.

Of course, all of this is entirely speculation. Anyone know the real stories?

Comments

[Ian W. Hill]

I'm having a hard time telling with the Ramones video above, and the Blondie cover looks too far northwest and close to Union Square to be the Clocktower (again, license may have been taken with the painting) -- however, THIS Ramones video, for "Spider-Man," DEFINITELY has them on top of the Clocktower building:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3F2y2hRP4o

I once worked on a theatre piece in the tower, and had keys to the tower and the roof -- still have them, doubt that they still work, but sometimes I wonder...

[Steve Wagner]

I've always loved this album cover. Wikipedia states that the group photo was taken on a roof at Broadway and 8th. The image was taken from a commissioned painting by artist Martin Hoffman. Hope this helps!

[Ron]

Yep, Broadway and 8th... South-West Bldg.

[Sophia O.]

Hi! I'm Sophia. Its a coincidence that I came across this post but maybe a little late. My grandfather, Martin Hoffman, actually painted the cover art! He passed abruptly four years ago but I believe he had always said that he took it from the rooftop of his apartment. And he lived at 300 mercer! Hope this helps:).

[Steve]

Yep...it was done at 300 Mercer. Album was recorded in Cali, but the band insisted cover art was done in NYC.