New York in the Late 70s and Early 80s

Photographer Bruce Barone has a treasure trove of old photographs he snapped in the late 1970s and early 1980s, while working at Hearst Magazines. He tells us he is now self-publishing a book featuring some hand-selected images, which should be ready by the end of February. For now, here's a look back through his lens at an older New York.

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By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on January 6, 2009 2:35 PM

Comments [rss]

jzny

that drummer's name was gene palma. very little information about him other than the "taxi driver" bit. anyone know more?

west side Michael

I could do a book of NYC in the 1960's and

70's & 80's I keep hearing that"the photo's

are great and then "who would buy this?".

Good Luck,guy,good luck.

robingee

Travis Bickle was a pussy! Filth and crime are awesome!

somegirl

1984 was not the year of the monkey. But then, I doubt that anybody would have tossed a silver coin in the bucket for a rat.

NannyState

New York was a filthy, disgusting, perverted cesspool. Gawd how I miss it!

Felix Hoenikker

Points for camel toe, furries, and a monkey.

ANGRYGOD11

I like photo #14 (second one, bottom row).

Napoleon Dynamite at Rockefeller Center.

kcin122

i see a mcdonald's in pic 7 and alot of silly 70's fashion.

so much for no chain stores and unique people.

thefacts

"People see what they want to see and disregard the rest".

An excerpt from a very nice song about NYC from the 70s.

heycarrieann

The pictures are great! This is NY before Guliani cleaned up 42nd Street(for our own good, of course)and the mouse invaded. It was really survival of the fittest and i loved it. And cncrocket, piss off...i have a feeling that you will always be annoying.

NYDirk

People were thin back then.

Mr Mel

The guy in Picture #2 looks like my old accountant.

robingee

Actually the REAL New York was back when they didn't hire any Irish. THOSE were the days.

Outter Burrougher

ha!..... hey, wait a minute!

cncrocket

looks pretty much the same to me. despite what aging ny'rs think, NYC IS STILL AWESOME. you old-timers dont miss the old new york, you miss your YOUTH. its our turn to be YOUNG and ANNOYING. deal with it.

thefacts

It is not how NYC "looks". It is how it 'feels'.

NYC was definitely more exciting then. Clubs nowadays are stereotyped. There were no legions of chain stores then. Many more specialty boutiques. Mom and Pop specialty stores. People dressed individually, not like everyone else now who shops at the Gap. There was an emerging music scene. More ethnic diversity.

Methinks cncrocket is a tad jealous.

cncrocket

FEEELS FIIINE. If old-time NYers find no more joy in NYC why not leave yourselves, rather than blasting the newcomers for enjoying themselves? Perhaps things were different, more grungy and exciting, but I refuse to take your word for it that it was BETTER. I hate homogeneity as much as the next emerging artist, but if you really think that NYC is completely bland and homogenized, you are a moron. It's still the capital of the world, and a thoroughly rewarding place to be.

thefacts

"I hate homogeneity as much as the next emerging artist"

You actually wrote that?

Who the hell calls themselves "the next emerging artist"?

Oh, I know: an emerging bullshit artist!

Do yourself a favor and visit: diehipster.com and see how real NYers view "the next emerging artist"

nohateparade

that's a valid point. some of these pics were before my time but some of us just like vintage things. the store signs, for instance, are pretty interesting too considering that computer graphics wasn't widely available.

brooklynAPE

I that is best i've heard that put... and when i get older and grow bitter i fully plan on bitching about all the new arrivals ruining my city.