Jenny Lens Bio 2004

Jenny Lens Bio 2004

Alice Bag, Bands, Bands Misc, Belinda, Belinda Carlisle, Blondie, Bomp Records Store, Clash, Club 88, Damned, Darby Crash, Devo, Elvis Costello, England June 1980, Fiorucci's, Germs, Go-Gos, Hollywood Palladium, Iggy, Jenny Lens Bio + History, Joan Jett, Lorna Doom, Masque, Parties, Pat Smear, Patti Smith, Punk Fashions and Parties, Punk History and Interviews from Jenny Lens, Ramones, Runaways, Screamers, Screamers Parties, Sex Pistols, Stardust Ballroom, Starwood, Whisky, X, X Home | 0 comments

I wrote this in 2004. My attitude is far better, thanks to SO many great Facebook comments, messages, emails and IRL (in real life) encounters. Enjoy! I was born and raised in LA. I was a shy, introverted adolescent in the wild sixties of Vietnam protests, free love and sex due to the pill and no STDs, no AIDs, women’s liberation and civil rights. But the hippie generation were as messed up as any, far from being all about peace and love. I felt so alienated and lost, felt so fat and discriminated against, so I retreated further into art and books, rarely went to live shows, but always loved rock. I was the bookworm, making art and missing out on fun teenage years. That would come later with punk. I was so bored out of my mind in school until I finally got into college and made lots of art. My work was acclaimed early on and I could have had a successful gallery/museum career. I earned a BA in Art from CSUN and Master of Fine Arts from Cal Arts, in the crafts area. I love and miss making things with my hands cos I’m a touchy-feely woman. My work was sensual and organic, the product of a passionate woman, struggling with my identity. It really hurt when people were surprised at my work: how could this fat girl have such passion, such creativity, so many skills? They were threatened by me and I was even more alienated. If that’s what my fellow students and teachers felt, how could I deal with the head games necessary to...
April 1977 When Punk Broke Big in LA with Jenny Lens Punk Photos

April 1977 When Punk Broke Big in LA with Jenny Lens Punk Photos

Bands, Bomp Records Store, Damned, Darby Crash, Germs, Iggy, Jeffrey Lee Pierce - Gun Club, Lorna Doom, Misc, Parties, Punk Fashions and Parties, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Screamers, Starwood, Venues, Videos, Whisky | 0 comments

 April 1977 was THE month LA punks came out in force, indicating something was happening which would change world music and culture. Along with New York and England, LA was happening! We gathered for the Cheap Trick opening for Runaways, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium (April 1), opening of Bomp Records Store (April 9), Television (April 14), Blondie opening for Iggy, with the Sales Brothers and David Bowie (April 15), Bomp again with the Damned (April 16), Orpheum show that night with Germs, Zeros and Weirdos, Damned at the Starwood (April 17 and 18), and Screamers party for the Damned (April 18). And more. All documented by yours truly, the EARLIEST and most published west coast punk photographer, first gen, 1976-80.  Buy photos at my Photostore. Please tell folks. Thanks!Please Donate to Legal Fund to retrieve stolen negs and slides.My archive cannot survive without your support....
Go-Go’s 1977-1980 We Got The Beat!

Go-Go’s 1977-1980 We Got The Beat!

Bands, Belinda Carlisle, Charlotte Caffey, Darby Crash, England June 1980, Germs, Go-Gos, Jane Draino Wiedlin, Jeffrey Lee Pierce - Gun Club, Lorna Doom, Masque, Masque Benefit Feb 24-25 1978, Parties, Punk Fashions and Parties, Screamers, Sex Pistols, Slash Mag Benefit, Starwood, Whisky, X, X Home | 2 comments

Go-Gos, 1977-1980. I loved photographing Belinda Carlisle, Jane Draino Wiedlin, and the totes adorbs Margot. A few shots of Charlotte Caffey with then-boyfriend, Leonard Phillips, singer of the Dickies, first LA punk band to get signed. Plus Jane with her then-boyfriend, Terry Graham, drummer for the Bags and Gun Club. And more, so let’s get started with some IDs and stories behind my photos. Plus so many of our friends. Good times.

Belinda, Lorna, Go-Go’s and Germs

Belinda Carlisle, Fashion, Germs, Go-Gos, Lorna Doom | 0 comments

Belinda wrote: “The following people have each, in some way, made a difference in my life, and I am so grateful… JENNY LENS.” Third line, after two LA pals who are very close to her, JENNY LENS.

I CRY with Gratitude every time I read or think about this. My name above so many famous people from all walks of life. Just re-read Belinda’s great autobio Lips Unsealed: A Memoir. I am thrilled she used ONLY my punk photos, 1977-1980.

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