Hi! Wanted to post links to vids that I recommend all the time. Plus a bit of factual info.
So many ask for more info, more info. It’s long. BUT you cannot have it both ways! Want details and then say it’s too long. So read it. Or not. Please don’t ask me questions about info I provided.
IF you want something to listen to, yeah, lemme tell you how many HOURS this took. And how many TECH issues consumed the other part of the day!
And I’m supposed to record it? I WOULD LOVE to do that. But TECH and other tasks need attention. NO ONE DOES ANYTHING BUT ME. OR I. Whatever. I DO IT ALL MYSELF.
FOR YOU! I’d happily watch an old movie or read a bio, an art or movie history book. Read it or skim it or whatever. My gift to you. Do what you want. HAVE FUN!
Wanna know THE BEST early Punk bands and songs to hear, dance, absorb?
I talk to a lot of people online and IRL aka In Real Life. I am saddened so few ever heard of Blondie, Go-Go’s, the Clash, X, and those inspired by these early pioneers. Courtney Love’s Hole, Tori Amos and Kate Bush (beyond “Stranger Things“).
Here’s some quick links and comments about my FAVES. Bouncy. Energetic. Angry. Passionate. Thoughtful. Storytelling songs with great music.
I took an infamous Blondie photo, all the early punk photos in Belinda’s “My Lips are Sealed” memoir, AMAZING Clash photos and iconic X photos and more.
Look at the audience during X’s “Nausea.” It’s the opening sequence of “Decline of Western Civilization,” linked herein. Do you wonder how I took photos? I shake my head and wonder that all the time!
Magical moments!
(The Ramones and Patti Smith’s Horses changed my life. I met and photographed them so early in support of their debut releases (1976). Hot times in Hollywood and elsewhere in California. I’ll discuss these essential innovators in my Punk Pioneers club.)
I didn’t just take photos. I walked the walk! Rare photos without camera(s) around my neck. Minimal jewelry too. I danced to my pals, the Go-Go’s and/or X at the Starwood. The Go-Go’s opened for X many times. Fun times!
Blondie: start with their first release simply called “Blondie.” Keep going. All are bouncy, great storytelling songs with accomplished musicians.
“Dreaming” resonates with me and inspires me. Can’t go wrong with most any Blondie song, live or studio.
Blondie’s Greatest Hits.
I’d start with their first first, “Blondie.”
“Hanging on the Telephone” was written by Jack Lee. A member of the Nerves, whom I photographed.
I love “Heart of Glass.” ANY idea how RADICAL it was to create disco themed song during the height of punk?
It’s a FUN, great, danceable song. I use the word “bouncy” quite often.
It’s WONDERFUL to dance and forget one’s woes. And no band does it better than Blondie!
Go-Gos: start with first release “Beauty and The Beat.”
WE GOT THE BEAT: I will never forget when they first performed this at the Starwood in West Hollywood.
I preferred standing on the stairs taking photos at the Whisky. I often danced in the Starwood’s VIP upstairs balcony. Especially to the Go-Go’s.
Belinda, the lead singer, told me she always knew when I was up there.
I carried folding paper fans from LA’s Chinatown. I’d fan myself cos I got so hot. I’d hold into the railing and dance wildly!
She saw the white backside of my fan rapidly moving and knew I was dancing and enjoying the show!
One night, I ran to the stage exit, a short sprint from the balcony.
As Belinda left the stage, I told her they were gonna be HUGE! She was so surprised by my statement. As usual, I was always right!!
The Go-Go’s wrote fun, bouncy tunes. They were dedicated music fans.
Young women who are made musical history. Despite being repeatedly told to go home and make dinner. Leave rock to the men who decide everything.
(I love men, but whoa, I saw, heard and read what was going on. I don’t have to make up lies. This was our reality!)
They achieved public success, a Broadway musical based on their songs, multiple Grammy nominations, Rock Hall of Fame and SO much more. They got the beat!
They opened the doors for many girls and women to sing and be taken seriously. Not mocked, like they experienced.
Charlotte Caffey, guitarist, piano and more, earned a music degree. The others listened and studied songs all the time.
They worked hard to dress better, relax on stage and dance, and write great hit songs.
Belinda, during their Rock Hall of Fame induction, acknowledged their first manager, my uber talented, kind and brilliant friend, Ginger Canzoneri.
Ginger is the woman who tirelessly dealt with so much rejection til they were signed.
Ginger created the infrastructure that propelled these determined, talented women.
Ginger deserves as much credit as anyone else! I WAS THERE. I know what happened behind the scenes.
Yet Ginger Canzoneri not mentioned in the Go-Go’s Wikipedia page. That is tragic. But NOT surprising!
GINA keep using my photos and claims it is hers! I TOOK the Polaroid of Gina with Joan Jett. She’s using MY photo without permission, credit or payment. PHOTO THIEF!
And they call ME “Difficult.” OK, can I use THEIR music on my site or vids? Ha ha ha.
LOVE their music. As for being decent, I won’t say all I want …
“Head over Heels” is a bouncy, fun song. They mostly wrote catchy songs the always uplifted the mood.
Also a few serious songs (“This Town” is very dark and oh so true of Hollywood in late 1970s.)
AND THEY SET FASHION standards cos they were always so stylish!! My photos of Belinda and Jane prove that. SO much fun!!
I love love love the Clash. X is intricately woven into the tapestry of my life.
“Los Angeles” is based on a real woman, “Farrah Faucet-Minors.” Her best friend is Exene, singer and songwriter of my other fave band, X.
THEY BOTH taunted me cos I was born into a Jewish family. Yet I still love love love X.
Lots of FAB photos at their place on La Jolla, south of Santa Monica Blvd, west of Crescent Heights. NOW those rundown apartments are pricey condos. Near former site of the Starwood.
The Whisky is more famous. X and Go-Go’s played at the Starwood as well as Whisky. And elsewhere.
JOAN JETT is an iconic guitarist. Some fun photos of Joan hanging with these early punks. Darby Crash, Kickboy (Slash mag), members of the Screamers, Dangerhouse Records before it existed and others in the LA scene who became iconic and vital to music history.
“Los Angeles”: Farrah had to get out cos too many unique races, nationalities and religions here. Like that’s a problem?
A few years ago, the net was on fire: Exene has lost her mind.
Yep, one of those conspiracy theorists.
Her friend Farrah wrote me. She apologized to me for her hateful rants. But not a word from Exene.
I will always be grateful to Exene, John Doe, and yes, Farrah for allowing me to hang out with them.
I took rare, behind the scenes of the earliest LA punks at X‘s apartment. Forming alliances, businesses, fands, relationships. And topics for songs. And drinking, dancing and fooling around having fun.
Their building was a stone’s throw from Circus of Books, the legendary adult books store than inspired “Adult Books.” (Google that link. Several versions and all great!)
Look up the lyrics to “Los Angeles.” Most don’t realize based on a REAL woman.
She named me “Jenny Lens” while yelling anti-Semitic slurs at me. I’m grateful to Farrah for my name since summer 1977.
“Loca Motion: The Travels of Chicana and Latina Popular Culture” by Michelle Habell-Pallan is a FABulous read.
My photos of sweet friend and amazing icon, Alice Bag, were used in this fine book. Then the author helped organize a Smithsonian exhibit! With my photo! Story for another day.
The woman in X’s “Los Angele” gave Alice Bag a hard time.
I cannot imagine anyone dissing Alice Bag! I bet most LA punks would have PAID to see Alice take down Farrah!
Alice didn’t hang out with Exene and Farrah. Details for another time.
Michelle reached out to me because she couldn’t find photos of Exene and Alice together for her book. Alice told her to contact me. Cool!
Alice and Exene were on stage together. I photographed them at the Masque Benefit, February 25, 1978.
WHY no Amazon link? Cos they now EMBED “buy now” links. Looks like someone else has an account associated.
I ain’t shilling for strange affiliates or put “buy buttons” for Amazon on MY site.
I never ever want to turn MY work into a commercial site, with tons of icky ads!
THIS photo has history! Taken at the legendary Masque Benefit at Elk’s Lodge, February 24, 1978. I asked Alice if she would pose for me. Up against the wall.
Who knew it would make its way around the USA in the Smithsonian touring exhibit?
When America had a National museum we were proud to attend or be a participant.
SO much has changed … sadly.
But the music and photos remain!!“Nausea” opens Decline of Western Civilization. Filmed at the former Club 88, a small working class bar in West LA, bordering Santa Monica.
Nausea opened the film. I noted the following early punks in the audience:
- Margo. Smiling in the default screenshot. Co-founder of the Go-Go’s. A sweet adorable FUN young woman with a great sense of 1960 pop art fashions. Thrift store style at its best!
- Michelle smoking
- Kickboy smiling as usual, in red
- Malissa
- Rick Wilder I think
- Darby drinking beer
- Michelle drinking can of beer, handing it to Malissa
- Might be Lorna with dark hair
- Darby again
- Jenny Lens, 4:52, curly black hair with magenta from ear to ear but photographed red. Pink metal fish earring. Camera strap around my neck.
- Pat Smear
- Darby
In that wild thrashing most pit, I captured ICONIC photos of X that night.
Standing next to the stage, directly in front of Exene and John. I saw both the front and back of my head in the X footage on YouTube.
Many amazing photos never seen! Except for members of my Punk Pioneers Club.
Rodney played “Johnny Hit and Run Paulene” on his radio show. Which I usually missed. I either was walking to a show, or busy or something.
But one night, while getting ready to go out into the welcoming night air, I remembered to listen.
I became OBSESSED.
Another night, I was wandering around a back area at the Starwood. I heard that song, ran like crazy into that room and started kicking up my heels.
Rodney was “spinning disks” aka the DJ.
Next time I saw John Doe, I asked the name of the song Rodney had been playing.
He very quickly said:
“Johny Hit and Run Pauline.”
I had to repeat it with him to be sure I understood.
“Johny… Hit and Run … Pauline. I love it, John!“
Awhile later, Exene started handing out X Songbooks. I stayed up all night after a show. Reading and re-reading the lyrics.
A bit darker and way more wild than I realized. I rarely understood their lyrics. But I loved them!
I still love X. And my crazy birth city. Full of PIONEERS in all walks of life. Cool!
X wrote songs based on OUR lives, plus books they read and music. I LOVE their first and second releases, Los Angeles and Wild Gift.
I still have my X songbooks. I laboriously scanned them.
I’ll share some pages. Talk about the lyrics, images, my photos. What it meant to so many. Especially me.
X is vitally important for understanding and appreciating early LA Punk. Music, the scene, graphics, community building and more. X was formed from American music. Then influenced American music.
X’s place in Punk History has been sadly overlooked.
I wanna share some FAB memories. Encourage you to check out their music with tips you’ll hear when I zoom in and around at live shows and hanging out.
Turn off vid sound, crank up the music. Watch. Listen. Dance if ya wanna.
For members of my Punk Pioneers Club.
Does that sound enticing and fun?
THE CLASH have a large social presence. Easy to find so much on Youtube.
X and the Clash are my fave of faves of all time any genre music! LOTS of unseen, stunning photos showing the whole band in action! Wowsa!
Sadly, hard for me to understand the lyrics cos to me, the recording producer muddied the vocals.
Maybe sounds better live on Youtube.
I dug up AH-mazing live shots, 16 Tons Tour, England, 1980. OMG.
I wanna stop everything I’m doing and just share them. BUT still tech shit.
IF tech delivered and apps worked, you’d be seeing LOTSA HOT CLASH LIVE shots. OMG!!
I have never seen anything like the Clash and my photos. They remain stellar to photograph, see and hear.
More in my Punk Pioneers Club.
Janie Jones is rebellious youthful passionate fun song about being in love with rock. I think.
I make up stories about the words I think I understand. Singing and dancing and taking photos or doing the dishes.
I called a MAJOR person in rock. She was doing the dishes while listening to the Ramones! She’s been around longer than I! Still dancing, kickin’ ass and rockin’ on to punk!
I always have issues with lyrics. It’s why I listened to understandable Broadway musicals starting as a teen. As much as rock n roll. Both were an obsession.
Janie Jones was an infamous British porn star. But fun even if we don’t have any idea who she was.
I still am obsessed with this song. And the Clash!
I LOVE Tommy Gun. WOW, I’ve not seen this vid that looks SO early!
Before they made it to USA, debuting in Berkeley, February 7, 1979.
Of course I photographed that show. And more. In California AND England.
Drummer Topper Headon is a drumming genius. I can watch and listen to his intro over and over. He admitted he could have been a great jazz drummer. If he weren’t a then-junkie.
Lead singer Joe Strummer made sure Topper got a home rather than lose it all up his arm (paraphrasing what I read).
Strummer died at 50, December 22, 2002. Tragic, terrible loss.
I LOVE this song. WHAT would Joe say about AK-15 and all these assault weapons being used against Americans?
From their scathing “I’m So Bored with the U.S.A.”
“Yankee detectives
Are always on the TV
Because killers in America
Work seven days a week“
The Clash, ABC Theater, Hollywood, April 25, 1980.
See ME in a blue dress, ONLY person dancing to a FAVE song, “Working for the Clampdown.” Perfect SONG about OUR times NOW!!
First see me 47 seconds in. Usually also at the end, but this version cut me out.
The COMMENTS under my comment are SO cool!! I wish they all signed up for my newsletter. Wow.
(I can still fit into that dress! But nowhere to see live shows or dance. Which many young people need!)
“But you grow up and you calm down
And (Working for the clampdown)
You start wearing blue and brown
And (Working for the clampdown)
So you got someone to boss around, it make ya feel big now
You drift until you brutalize, make your first kill now
Let fury have the hour, anger can be power
D’you know that you can use it?”
Kate Bush, a British singer during punk but not punk. Thankfully, “Stranger Things” introduced her to new fans. She’s rather unique.
Dunno if you know these authors or books. Forgive me if I am repeating what you know.
“Wuthering Heights” is one of THE most famous of all British novels. I saw the 1939 movie version when I was 13. Many times since then. Many other versions. BUT that remains the best.
It’s a tragic story about a poor young woman in love with a wild young man (Heathcliff) vs a rich neighbor (Edgar I think, he’s a bore, so I never remember his name).
It’s a memorable, haunting story. I read the book, but prefer the movie. The Bronte sisters are famous, with “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë and her sister Charlotte’s “Jane Eyre” (which I also disliked).
Any fans of the Brontes? Maybe that’s a topic: Were any or all the Bronte Sisters proto-punks? Can a Bronte novel or character inspire a punk song? Or has it already?
I gotta get silly cos this is really hard work. Tech shit is killing me. Moments of surreal flights of fancy wherever I can!
Wassup with women loving CRUEL men? But Cathy was a wild woman too. She and Heathcliff simply wanted too much. Or did they? What chances did they have for happiness?
What is it with bad men? I sure had my share. Hubba hubba!
Laurence Olivier was a powerfully compelling Heathcliff. Handsome, headstrong and passionately in to love with Cathy and she with he. Will true love win out?
I think another song(s) became famous with “Stranger Things.” I don’t get Netflix, so I’m outta that loop.
Thank you, Netflix. Kate Bush was ALWAYS overlooked in American rock press. Of course, NOT touring back then was a huge factor. FABulous songwriter and singer.
I took a break from writing this. First I needed to deal with a tech issue. Then I looked at NY Times online via LA library. And guess what I saw?
A book club entry dedicated to … WUTHERING HEIGHTS!
I can’t stop laughing! New movie from hot hot hot director Emerald Fennell and hot Barbie. Australians Margot Robbie as Cathy and Jacob Elordi as Frankenstein’s monster. Er, “creature.” Oh sorry, that was another story by another British female author. I mean Elvis. No, he’s HEATHCLIFF! I can see why Elordi was cast: strong facial bone structure.
(Another man’s facial bone structure, with his high cheekbones, inspired me to pick up my camera and photograph him. Reminded me of another Australian actor, the FAB hubba lady killer, Errol Flynn.
After the show, I met the bassist and his bandmates. My life changed forever! Do you know who that was and the band’s name? Tip: THEY kickstarted punk, for sure!)
The article mentioned 1939 movie. “[New] movie has catapulted ‘Wuthering Heights’ back into the zeitgeist and reinspired frenzy for Brontë’s moors.” Hmm… WHEN was Wuthering Heights NOT popular? Well, I guess for some Americans.
Links to read more about the novel and movie adaptations. Yep, Wuthering Heights yields a lot of thought, words and visuals.
Talk about Synchronicity! I just wrote about the novel and movie. Ha ha, I do that all the time. Zoom in on something timely, without keeping up with pop culture or following trends.
Surprises me, as an isolated introvert. BUT that’s what led me to punk. Sometimes I am tuned into something that is on the cusp of pop culture. But I’m approaching that via a different path, quite accidentally.
I wasn’t looking for punk rock. I never imagined being a photographer. In punk rock? Whaaaat? Being OPEN to possibilities AND looking for an art community motivated me to dive in. Never look back. Always moving forward.
IF tech didn’t keep effin’ up!! Sucks so much time and money. Time wasted cos apps are shit. BUT my photos keep me moving forward. Why else haven’t I see movies I’ve mentioned. I know only by what I read. Ok, moving on, cos TMI!
“Violet” is theme of “RIOT WOMEN” on BritBox. Great coverage on youtube. HUGE hit, immediately renewed for second season.
I AM OBSESSED!
Remastered version of “Violet.” Can ya tell I’m OBSESSED with this song and many on “Live Through This.”
I read Courtney Love saying THIS was NOT for women over 40 when “Live Through This” dropped years ago.
NOW that’s it’s a MASSIVE hit thanks to “RIOT WOMEN,” all over 40, and the fact she’s over 40, what does Courtney say now?
NOTHING like opening one’s big mouth, sticking foot into it, and sabotaging and negating fans when releasing music, art, movies.
Never a good look.
But I learned long ago to separate the artist from the art.
Or there’s a lot of John Wayne movies, Max Ernst paintings, and other art I could not enjoy.
Film director John Ford was a bastard to his most famous leading lady, Dublin born Maureen O’Hara.
I read her autobio, ‘Tis Herself: An Autobiography,” when released.
Appalled and disgusted at how John Ford treated this FABulous woman.
John Ford is one of THE greatest movie directors who ever lived. Left a legacy of stunning visual movies, with no computer input. Just good direction, editing, and my faves, cinematography and art direction. Uniquely talented actors and solid scripts.
I’m also always all about the visuals.
She went along to get along. Maureen O’Hara was not just a gutsy heroine IN the movies, but a great role model in real life.
So here’s to STRONG WOMEN who have had it up to HERE and SCREAMING!
FED up and not going to take it anymore.
We wish!
Ha, shades of Sondheim, THE Broadway genius with words and music. At the end of the fairy tales aka “Into the Woods,” [ONLY Original Broadway cast with Bernadette Peters!!!] most everyone has fulfilled their wishes.
Yet one elusive wish remains … To live happily ever after. I wish!
Hole’s “Live Through This.” Courtney Love is a complicated woman. THIS release should have been massive. But it was hard because of her history and who she is.
Whatever all that is about, I am so joyous RIOT WOMEN is bringing HOLE to a whole new audience. Plus great to hear it again on the show.
“Little Earthquakes“: all songs.
The TIP of the iceberg displaying most of my fave music that inspired me then. Even more so now that I’m digging up amazingly fun and breathtaking images: the Clash and X!
I wrote this for a new friend I met because of bullying, abusive men.
I was traumatized by a manager at a store. I filed a complaint. She called to get details to follow up.
Before responding, she looked at my site. I was telling her about the incident.
She stopped me and shocked me. Almost speechless mentioning my photos. She kept saying I am so inspiring!
So I shared my fave performers with her. And now you!
I know some women can be difficult. My worst enemies are two women punks whom I knew and photographed back then.
But many of these songs center on “he done her wrong.” AND were the cause of so much trauma in my life.
I adore men. Boy crazy since I was 7. I know so many fine men online. They visit for an hour or so when in town. But men I know, just to help out a neighbor, ya know? Impossible.
IMAGINE if men were like women. Smart. Caring. Movers and Shakers.
Whatta wonderful world that would be!
Oh well, we’ve got great music to help us deal with real life. And bullying men who think they are all that.
Ha ha, they should meet my posse! My fans and friends. They’ve often offered to go after people (usually men) giving me a hard time.
ON the other hand, I have fond memories of many men. I smile and laugh from deep down remembering HOT WILD NIGHTS! Around town or a bit more private. Gotta love rock n roll for so many reasons! 🙂