As I’m prone to do, I joined another slavishly nostalgic Facebook group, recently, that calls itself 1970’s Filthy New York. Much like some other similarly inclined collectives, this particular group — which is closed, you have to petition for inclusion — hosts a sprawling slew of vintage photographs from the period in question, all seemingly uploaded over the past couple of years by a gentleman named David, who — oddly — is apparently based somewhere in the UK. Many of said images are very familiar (quite of few of them could also be found on this mysterious cache from a few weeks back). Few are credited, sadly, which is the case with the one I’m highlighting below.
Amidst this unwieldy array of photographs, I stumbled upon a curious one of Gene Simmons. Like myself, the enigmatic David seems to harbor a reverence for 70’s-era KISS, and allegiance that, personally speaking, frequently finds me at odds with many of my peers.
In any case, the photo finds our Gene in full, ridiculous regalia out on the mean streets of Manhattan. The layperson may not be able to discern as much, but any card-carrying member of the KISS Army could readily tell you that this photo was taken circa 1979, given the fact that Gene is sporting the suitably over-the-top togs he wore for the Dynasty era (you read more about that particular album here).
Here's the photo in question now...
I haven’t had that much time to devote to pinpointing this spot, but at first glance, I’d suggest this exchange transpired somewhere down in TriBeCa, possibly between Church Street and West Broadway. Reade Street? Duane Street, maybe? Weigh in, shot-spotters.
What the Hell he was doing there is another question, the answer to which we’ll probably never learn.
Bonus bit: Also scattered amidst the Filthy New York photo page was this alternate shot of the KISS boys atop the observation deck of the Empire State Building. The only reason I'm including it here is because of the poster -- recognize that ape? Of course you do, it's that same gorilla I talked about recently from the Museum of Natural History! SEE? IT'S ALL CONNECTED!!!!
Some period perspective on the Gene shot...
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