As usual there was a lot going on in the summer with bands touring and places to go. Here’s some of the places I went.
June 9 - Wantagh, NY - The summer started with Blondie playing at Jones Beach along with The New Cars in the pouring rain.
In spite of the rain, Debbie and Chris had the crowd cheering.
June 7 - NYC - Jesse Malin posed for a photo session with me before he spent the summer in Los Angeles recording his new album "Glitter in the Gutter".
June 1 - NYC - I went to see Jakob Dylan open for T-Bone Burnett at Town Hall and backstage ran into singer Jenni Muldaur and the god of drummers Jim Keltner.
June 7 - NYC - Joan Jett released a new album called Sinner and played a great show at CBGB's.
June 29 - NYC - Swedish band The Ark played Virgin Megastore at Union Square.
June 14 - London - I had an opening at Blink Gallery in London. Here I am with famed photographers Dennis Morris and Gered Mankowitz, and gallery owner Daniel Hay.
Glen Matlock & Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols were among the people who came to the opening at Blink Gallery.
June 13 - London - While I was in London I did a photo shoot with "The Heat", Martin Slattery and Antony Genn from The Mescaleros new group.
June 30 - NYC - My son Kris Gruen played a number of shows this summer to promote his CD "Lullaby School" at Joe's Pub.
July 25 - NYC - The New York Dolls celebrated the release of their new album "One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This" with a special in-store performance at Tower Records, NYC.
New York Dolls from the left are Steve Conte, Sylvain Sylvain, David Johansen, Sami Yaffa, Brian Koonin & Brian Delaney.
Chrissie Hynde came to see the Dolls play. A couple of days later The Pretenders played a great show at Roseland Ballroom, NYC.
Later on the same night Syl DJ'ed at the CD Release Party for the Dolls new album playing an eclectic mix including the Bridget Bardot CD he's holding.
July 17 - NYC - From left to right photographers Hanna Toresson & Linda Rowe, Bill May & Virginia Lohle from Star File Photo Agency, my wife Elizabeth and Karla Merrifield in Times Square after a screening in July for the new film "US vs John Lennon".
Aug 4 - Red Bank, NJ - Virginia Lohle was my friend and photo agent for 31 years. She formed her own company, Star File Photo Agency, in 1982 and built it into a worldwide organization representing more than 40 photographers. She passed away on Aug 4th and will be greatly missed.
July 19 - NYC - ModRocket played BP Fallon's Death Disco at the Annex club and were introduced by Steve Conte of the New York Dolls.
ModRocket (Alex, Alice, Alanna & Sandra) are a rockin new young group!
July 24 - NYC - The Sex Slaves played the Canal Room and then continued their never ending tour to promote their great CD "Bite Your Tongue".
July 31 - NYC - I went out to dinner with "Please Kill Me" author Legs McNeil. Afterwards we went to the "No Status Quo" Magazine Party held at Fat Baby but couldn't find it until Jessica Lewis showed us the way.
Aug 9 - NYC - Fred Schneider, Chris Stein & Glenn O'Brien at the party for the DVD release of Glenn's "TV Party the Documentary" held at the Soho Grand.
Aug 14 - NYC - Tommy Chong at the reading for his new book "The I Chong" at Chelsea Barnes & Noble where he talked about his new-found spiritualism.
Aug 31 - NYC - Arckid is the new group formed from Space Hog with the addition of one more brother. They played Virgin Mobile's VMA After Show Party.
My photographer colleague Mick Rock at the Arckid show with some friends.
Sept 5 - Sao Paulo - In September I flew down to Sao Paolo, Brazil to work on my upcoming exhibition at the FAAP University planned for next Spring. Here I am at their current exhibition of Greek statues with my friend Supla who is organizing my show. Stay tuned for more news.
Sept 13 - NYC - Hard working tribute band KISSNATION performed at the Virginia Louise Wine Party held at B.B Kings, NYC.
Sept 13 - NYC - Pete Yorn played 3 shows in NYC, all in one week, Joe's Pub, Mercury Lounge & CBGB's.
Sept 17 - NYC - One more legendary live rock club closed.
Sept 14 - NYC - Jesse Malin gave out free drinks to the fans who came to see his last show at Continental.
Sept 17 - NYC - Former DGen Howie Pyro was spinning records at Continental's closing party.
Jimmy G of Murphy's Law & Continental owner Trigger before Jimmy did his last set at the legendary club.
Lenny Kaye played one last time reminiscing about all the great shows held there.
Ross the Boss & Handsome Dick Manitoba of the Dictators got the crowd jumping before CJ Ramone played with Daniel Ray, and then the Continental as we knew it closed. 🙁
Sept 19 - NYC - American Hardcore opened in NYC. Directed by Paul Rachman & written by Steven Blush. The feature film tells the story of the hardcore punk movement of the early '80's with rare footage and great interviews with the bands.
Sept 21 - NYC - Little Steven's Underground Garage "Rolling Rock and Roll Show" rolled into Irving Plaza. Little Steven here with Lenny Kaye enjoying the sounds of the Zombies and the other great bands in the show.
Sept 25 - NYC - As the last days of CBGB are counted down, reggae legend Lee "Scratch" Perry played on the historic stage.
