If only I’d known then how cool my life was, I’d have taken better notes.
I kept a diary every night from the time I was 12 years old until I was 28. I’ve been rereading my diaries from the 1970s, when I was a teenager in New York City. While many of the entries are hilarious in the way of adolescent profundities and trauma, they also are a microcosm of a time and place.
Some samples:
April 6, 1972
I’m going to see the Allman Brothers, Edgar Winter and Dave Mason.
April 16, 1972
Jesus! What a concert! Berrie Oakley is absolutely fantastic! They’re so good!
November 12, 1972
Berry Oakley is dead. And thus endeth the Allman Brothers. That’s awful.
(I’m going to skip a few particularly self absorbed years here)
April 20, 1976
Tonight was Max’s (Kansas City). It was OK. (One of many, many references to Max’s—although I rarely bothered mentioning the bands I saw. Mostly I wrote about boys I had crushes on.)
April 30, 1976
I went to see Monte Python tonight. The show was great.
May 1, 1976
We went back to the City Center. Got all the rest of the (Monte Python) autographs. Terry Jones picked me out of the crowd and spoke to me. He was really nice.
July 4, 1976
I had a shitty bicentennial July 4th.
July 21, 1976
A pleasing evening. I came home & watched Nadia Comaneci win the gold medal. I idolize that girl.
August 25, 1976
We went to see the Laughing Dogs at CBGB tonight. (Again, one of many references to what I usually called “GBs”)
Sept. 20, 1976
The most amazing thing happened today! Robbie Gordon came to my counter. (I was selling designer handbags at a long-gone departments store called Franklin Simon.) He was looking for a friend of his, but when I recognized him he stayed and talked to me for a couple of minutes. He’s leaving, left, actually, the Tuff Darts. I can’t believe it. No more Darts. They were just on the verge of being incredibly famous, too.
Sept. 22, 1976
It is actually Thursday morning. We stated at C.B.G.B. all night. The Eels didn’t record until 5:00 a.m. (The Eels was my brother’s band.)
Nov. 26, 1976
I saw Ella Fitzgerald tonight. She was great. I am really glad I stuck around. In the beginning, when Oscar Peterson and Joe Pass were playing, I was so depressed I felt like just walking out. But Ella was worth it.
Dec. 23, 1976
Nick’s at a hot shit party tonight running the sound. Barbra Streisand’s new movie’s opening night party. I’m so jealous.
Jan. 7, 1977
I saw “A Chorus Line” tonight.
Feb. 3, 1977
I saw the Ramones tonight. They totally knocked me out. I may go see them tomorrow night, too. They were just great.
March 11, 1977
I saw the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” with Monte tonight. It was the best fucking movie. I have to take Sue to see it. I loved it.
March 18, 1977
I saw “Rocky Horror” again. I love that movie. I lust after Tim Curry. I want to see it again tomorrow night.
March 25, 1977
I had a shitty day at work but saw “Rocky Horror” tonight.
April 1, 1977
Saw “Rocky Horror” at the Waverly.
April 2, 1977
Sue and I took Oliver to see “Rocky Horror” at the New Yorker.
April 7, 1977
Tomorrow night should be great. First Laughing Dogs, then “Rocky Horror.”
April 22, 1977
Sue & Lynn & I made a really good dinner at Lynn’s house & then walked over to the Waverly and saw “Rocky Horror.”
April 27, 1977
I saw “Annie Hall” tonight.
July 13, 1977
I am in Denver, midway through my first cross-country trip—three girls in a baby blue Plymouth Duster.
There’s a blackout in New York tonight. I feel so far away. A NY disaster & I’m not there. An American chopper was shot down over North Korea. War peeks up. Scary.
July 25, 1977
Tonight we went to the Whiskey a Go Go to see the Dictators. I really like that club. The people are completely trendy, but entertaining. The Dictators were great.
July 28, 1977
We hung around the Tropicana today and watched the punks. The Dictators, the Nuns and the Ramones were all staying there.
Aug. 26, 1977
I saw an absolutely spectacular Talking Heads/Laughing Dogs gig tonight. Amazomatic.
Oct. 17, 1977
I saw the Talking Heads tonight with Dave & Chris. C.
Dec. 27, 1977
Nada much to say. I bought “Young Americans” and a John Lennon album.
Feb. 11, 1978
I went to the Ice Palace with Monte & Bert tonight.
Feb. 19, 1978
Annie Golden is on the cover of the “News” magazine. It’s so strange to start seeing my contemporaries make it.
Feb. 25, 1978
It’s 5 a.m. and I feel exhilarated. I had a wonderful night. First I went to Jerry’s party, which was dull, & I left before his band played. Then I went to CBGB where I just watched everybody go by & cruised and got cruised & fended off pick-ups and listened to “The Shirts.”
April 11, 1978
I saw Crystal Gayle tonight with Alice & Bruce.
April 20, 1978
I went to CBGB to see Jerry’s first gig as a Void Oild
May 20, 1978
I went to The Bottom Line tonight to see Lou Reed. It was a less than satisfying experience. I waited in line to pay seven dollars to be mashed in with the rest of standing room to see a mediocre show that started 3 hours late.
Well, that’s enough for now. I sure had fun.
8 comments:
You know, Jerry's gonna be mortified at how you dissed his party!
Wow, that was fun. I was particularly impressed that you got to see Ella and Oscar Peterson. Thanks.
Yeah--and I kinda blew off Joe Pass and Oscar Peterson. Dumb punk. At least I didn't leave.
I got to see Ella two or three times--I think I saw her twice here in Dallas. I know I saw her at least once, at the Fairmont Hotel.
Alas, GypsyHeart, Jerry was among the casualties of our drug-happy era. He died last year--Hep C and cirrhosis of the liver.
I love this hard! More Sophie please!
I saw Lou Reed at the Roxy in L.A. in 1978. My escort, who had no idea who Lou Reed was or had been, upon seeing the crowd in the club, said,
"Lou Reed! He's got a following! Who knew?".
I thought to myself, "Well, I knew", but just grinned instead.
I don't remember if the show itself was any good. Ian Dury opened for Lou.
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