The Velvet Forum

I'm off to New York for a long weekend. I live in the UK and this is my first trip to the US so I am WELL excited!

I will be visiting Max's Kansas City, also going up to Lexington 125.

I was wondering if anyone here could suggest any other VU landmarks?

.

Hi Velv!

You can go and stand outside the 56 Ludlow Street apartment where it all began!
This is probably worth visiting, even photographing if it hasn't changed much externally, otherwise it's mostly places that used to be there, like the silver Factory. I don't think there's much to see at the Max's address.
You can see where the Dom/Balloon Farm was at 23 St Mark's Place, it's still some kind of nightclub/performance space.
The Chelsea Hotel lobby is worth a look in - lots of art on the walls and strange decoration.

If it's your first time in New York you're not going to have a lot of time on your hands!

A trip to CBGB's would also be good, in honour of the recently lost Johnny Ramone, also unlike Max's bands still play there.

Sorry, the Velvets connection with CBGB's is that Lou hung out there, and even attended the first Ramones gigs there.

I'm back!

Have been for some time, actually.
I meant to post this picture ages ago. We also visited the Apollo, just a few blocks away on 125th.

WOW!!! Thanks for posting the pic - I heard Waiting For the Man shortly AFTER I was in Manhattan, and was SO disappointed, 'cause I knew I'd walked all around Lexington and 125th, but couldn't specifically remember it.

Did you visit the Chelsea (Hotal)?

By the way, DeeDee Ramone wrote a pretty wacky, somehow unforgettable in it's absolute bizarre-ity (also includes some terrific drawings he did) novel called "The Chelsea Horror Hotel". Some folks might wanna check it out.

COOL PHOTO, thanks for posting that!

Saffie, Thanks for the rec. (The Ramones are my 2nd Favourite band!!)

I didn't get to the Chelsea Hotel (...next time) went on a fruitless journey looking for Max's, but I DID make it to CBGB's

Incidentally, the original photo has me proudly holding 26 dollars in my banana t shirt, but I cropped that bit off ...far too embarrassing!

.

velvi$ wrote:Incidentally, the original photo has me proudly holding 26 dollars in my banana t shirt, but I cropped that bit off ...far too embarrassing!

Aww, come on now, let's see it!