The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay
“A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine. Fabulous!”
Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film & documentary maker
February 2015 issue
Deborah Harry and Chris Stein New York Subway 1976: This shot was taken as part of a ‘fumetti’ (photo comic) for
Punk magazine, illustrating the lyrics to Blondie’s song ‘Shark in Jet’s Clothing.’ While the photo was staged, Debbie
and Chris were a real life couple, madly in love, and the photo reflects their passion.
Richard Hell, Blank Generation LP cover shot: Richard Hell is often cited as the “man who invented punk”. His ripped,
safety pinned clothing and short spiky hair was an inspiration to impresario Malcolm McLaren’s vision for the British
band the Sex Pistols. Hell’s band Television was among the first to play at CBGBs in 1974, and his song ‘Blank
Generation’ recorded by his band the Voidoids, was an anthem of sorts for the punk scene. In this image Richard has
written “You Make Me _______” on his chest, alluding to an as yet unnamed generation, i.e. fill in the blank.
Sex Pistols, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa Oklahoma January 1978: Taken on a snowy night in Tulsa, this one one of the
best shows on the Sex Pistols brief American tour. Their last show was in San Francisco after which the band broke up.
Bass player Sid Vicious would be dead of a drug overdose a year later.
Elvis Costello CBGBs 1978: Richard Hell and the Voidoids were performing at a benefit for the St. Mark’s Church in
late 1978 at CBGBs. Elvis Costello was in town and showed up to play a couple of songs with the band. One of the
songs they did was ‘Shattered’ by the Rolling Stones.
The Damned New York 1977: The Damned were the first British punk band to come to New York, in April 1977. Their
manager Jake Riviera asked me to take photos of them which would be sent back immediately to a British tabloid
which had guaranteed the front cover for the fledgling band. The newspaper insisted on a 2 1/4 format so I went to
one of those midtown camera places, Willoughby’s I think, to rent a Rolliflex. I hadn’t used that type of camera since
I was in high school in 1966 learning on a Yashica. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing! Luckily I brought
along all my 35mm Olympus cameras, and shot both black and white and color. The idea was to show that The
Damned were in New York. Nothing could have shown it better.
Deborah Harry Las Vegas 1979: Debbie is applying lipstick before taking the stage at the Aladdin Casino where Elvis
Presley married Priscilla in 1967. Debbie wore an all white ensemble and a glittering sequined cape for this show,
which I always believed was a nod to the King of Rock and Roll.
Deborah Harry Boston 1978: I travelled with Blondie up to Boston in May of 1978 where they were playing a show at
the Paradise Theatre with David Johansen, former singer of the New York Dolls. Debbie wore a black mini dress
designed by her friend Stephen Sprouse who would design clothes for throughout her early career. Although Blondie
had hit singles in Australia and Great Britain, they hadn’t made a breakthrough on American radio, despite having
release two albums. The Paradise was a small showcase club and both shows were sold out. It would be almost a year
before Blondie had their first U.S. hit, “Heart of Glass”, and it went to number one. In the video for the song, she also
wears a Stephen Sprouse dress. Both Debbie and Stephen went on to great success in the 80s.
The Heartbreakers 1975: One of the earliest photo sessions of the band Richard Hell formed with ex-New York Dolls
Johnny Thunders and Jerry Nolan after leaving Television. This was the 4th roll of film I shot after purchasing a used
Pentax Spotmatic in November 1975. The concept was Richard Hell’s, The blood was Hersey’s syrup, and the caption
used at the time was “Catch Them While They’re Still Alive”. Johnny Thunders died at age 38 in 1991, Jerry Nolan
was dead less than a year later. R.I.P.
Joey Ramone and Deborah Harry New York 1977: Another outtake from “Mutant Monster Beach Party”, this was shot
in Debbie’s West 17th street apartment. In the story, this is the couple’s wedding night, but unfortunately Debbie
forgets to take her medication and transforms into John Waters star Edith (the Egg Lady) Massey, much to Joey’s
chagrin!
Ramones album cover 1976: Originally shot for a cover feature in Punk magazine’s third issue, this image was used by
Sire Records for the bands debut album in 1976, when the original session did not meet the band’s approval. Shot on a
playground around the corner from Ramones art director Arturo Vega’s East 2nd Street loft, the shot remains one of the
most iconic images in rock. The playground is now a community garden, and this section of E. 2nd Street is now
officially Joey Ramone Place.
Ramones Live CBGBs 1976: The Ramones were a ferocious live band, even in their earliest years. The energy was
amazing - their set was short, fast and LOUD. They changed music forever. R.I.P.
Joey Ramone, Coney Island 1977: This has become one of my most popular images over the years, even outselling
the Ramones album cover image. Joey looks happy and carefree, the way I like to remember him.
Deborah Harry, Coney Island 1977: Another image from Punk magazine’s ‘Mutant Monster Beach Party,’ Debbie sits
alone on a crowded beach waiting for her fictional boyfriend, surfer Joey Ramone, to arrive not realizing he has been
wrongly jailed for the murder of two children who were eaten by a giant radioactive monster. Joey ultimately escapes
and is flown in the space ship of friendly aliens to the Bothersome Biker’s Hangout where Debbie has been
imprisoned. Joey challenges the bikers to a drinking contest, and quickly triumphs until the Monster shows up and
begins trying to outdrink Joey, and eventually turns back into - Andy Warhol! - The real Andy Warhol, who was one of
the many participants in this sweeping saga.
