New York City in the 1970s: A Decade of Gritty Vibrancy

The 1970s in New York City was a decade defined by a stark contrast between urban decay and explosive cultural creativity. Often described as “Fear City,” the metropolis faced a severe fiscal crisis, resulting in crumbling infrastructure, darkened subways, and streets layered with graffiti. Yet, amidst this harsh environment, the city became a boiling pot for artistic revolution.

The street scenes of this era were unmistakable: steam rising from manholes, towering piles of uncollected trash, and the neon-lit decadence of Times Square before its later “Disneyfication.” It was on these very streets that Hip-Hop was born in the Bronx, Punk Rock took root at CBGB, and the underground disco scene flourished. Photographers of the time captured a raw, unpolished energy: children playing in the spray of open fire hydrants against a backdrop of abandoned tenements.

While the 1970s were undeniably dangerous, they remain etched in history as the city’s most authentic and defiant era, where a unique street culture thrived in the face of chaos. These fascinating photos, taken by Diane Worland, showcase New York City’s street scenes in 1977.

5th Avenue, New York City, 1977

Yellow cab, New York City, 1977

Around the streets, New York City, 1977

Around the streets, New York City, 1977

Around the streets, New York City, 1977

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Photographs From the Grateful Dead’s First Show in Menlo Park, California on May 5, 1965

The Grateful Dead played their first show at Magoo’s Pizza in Menlo Park, California on May 5, 1965 under the name The Warlocks. After finding out that the name was being used by another band who were already signed to a record contract, they changed their name, first performing as The Grateful Dead later in December of that year. The band’s original lineup of Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, Phil Lesh and Bill Kreutzmann are shown in these photos from 1965.

Known for their eclectic style that fused elements of rock, blues, jazz, folk, country, bluegrass, rock and roll, gospel, reggae, and world music with psychedelia, the band is famous for improvisation during their live performances, and for their devoted fan base, known as “Deadheads.” According to the musician and writer Lenny Kaye, the music of the Grateful Dead “touches on ground that most other groups don’t even know exists.” For the range of their influences and the structure of their live performances, the Grateful Dead are considered “the pioneering godfathers of the jam band world.”

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Glenda Jackson: A Fearless Force in Art and Politics

Glenda Jackson (1936–2023) was a rare and towering figure who achieved elite status in two completely different fields: acting and public service.

Renowned for her “tense portrayals of complex women,” Jackson became a global star in the 1970s, winning two Academy Awards for Best Actress for her roles in Women in Love and A Touch of Class. She is a recipient of the “Triple Crown of Acting,” having also earned three Emmy Awards, notably for her definitive portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in Elizabeth R, and a Tony Award for Three Tall Women.

In 1992, at the height of her fame, Jackson made a “decisive break” from acting to enter politics, serving as a Member of Parliament for the Labour Party for 23 years. After retiring from the House of Commons in 2015, she made a triumphant return to the stage, famously playing the title role in King Lear.

Known for her fierce intellect and unwavering work ethic, Jackson remains a symbol of integrity and raw talent on both the world stage and the political floor.

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Cameron Diaz’s First-Ever Audition for “The Mask”, 1993

In 1993, Cameron Diaz was a 21-year-old model with zero professional acting experience when she walked into the audition for The Mask. Her casting is widely considered one of the greatest “happy accidents” in Hollywood history, as she was originally only looking for a minor background role.

The production team had been searching for months to find the perfect “Tina Carlyle.” Director Chuck Russell had initially considered several established names and even met with Anna Nicole Smith, but he felt something was missing.

According to Russell, he saw Diaz’s 8x10 headshot in a pile on the casting director’s desk. Despite being told she was just a model with no credits, he insisted on bringing her in. He later remarked that she was the only person who had the right “instant likeability” and “intelligence” for the role.

Because she was an unknown, the studio (New Line Cinema) was extremely hesitant to cast her. Diaz had to go through a grueling process. She was called back roughly a dozen times over several weeks to prove she could handle the role. She was eventually paired with Jim Carrey for a screen test. Russell noted that Carrey actually performed better during his scenes with Diaz, confirming their immediate chemistry. Diaz later admitted that the stress of the process was overwhelming. She told Entertainment Weekly that she was so nervous she couldn’t eat or sleep and actually developed an ulcer during the audition period.

Director Chuck Russell was so convinced that Diaz was the only one for the part that he reportedly threatened to quit the film if the studio didn’t hire her. The studio finally relented just seven days before filming began.

American Houses in the Early 1900s: A Transition in Style and Comfort

The early 1900s represented a pivotal transition in style and comfort for the American home, as the ornate, compartmentalized Victorian designs gave way to more open and functional living spaces. This era saw the rise of the Craftsman bungalow, which rejected industrial mass-production in favor of handcrafted woodwork, low-pitched roofs, and deep front porches that invited a closer connection to the outdoors.

Simultaneously, the widespread availability of “kit houses” from companies like Sears, Roebuck & Co. revolutionized the housing market, making high-quality architectural designs affordable for the burgeoning middle class.

This period successfully bridged the gap between 19th-century tradition and 20th-century innovation, leaving behind a legacy of sturdy, soulful homes that define many American neighborhoods to this day.

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Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe Photographed by Norman Seeff in the Kitchen of Chelsea Hotel, 1969

Norman Seeff, a South African who had recently arrived in New York, met the young, unknown Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe while hanging out at Max’s Kansas City, a popular downtown club for artists and musicians. He thought they “looked cool” and asked them to do a photo session. The session took place at a friend’s apartment and studio space on 72nd and Amsterdam on the Upper West Side, not a formal commercial studio.

The most iconic images from the session were actually taken after the formal shoot was done, when the three were just “hanging out.” This informal atmosphere allowed for a poignant and intimate engagement among the two artists and the camera, capturing a genuine moment in time.

Seeff was struck by “the depth of love the two had for each other.” The photos capture the end of their romantic relationship but the beginning of their lifelong artistic partnership. In one image, Smith is wearing the now-famous skull necklace she made for Mapplethorpe as a birthday present, a detail she mentions in her memoir Just Kids.

“We wanted, it seemed, what we already had, a lover and a friend to create with, side by side,” said Smith. “To be loyal, yet be free.”

For Seeff, these images were exactly what he was looking for: authenticity and emotional depth, capturing the spirit of two artists in their formative years. At the time, Mapplethorpe had not yet begun his own serious photography work (which he started the following year with a Polaroid camera). The photos offer a rare glimpse of the pair as they were just beginning their respective journeys to becoming icons of New York’s art scene.

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30 Amazing Photos of a Very Young Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead in the 1960s

Bob Weir, the rhythm guitarist and co-founder of the Grateful Dead, died at the age of 78 on January 10, 2026. According to a family statement, Weir passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones. He had been diagnosed with cancer in July 2025 and successfully underwent treatment but ultimately succumbed to underlying lung issues.

In the 1960s, Weir was the “kid” of the Grateful Dead – a fresh-faced, often clean-shaven teenager surrounded by older, shaggier musicians. While Jerry Garcia was the band’s spiritual center, he was its high-energy engine, evolving from a self-described “spaced-out” kid into one of rock’s most unique rhythm guitarists.

Bobby’s passing marks the end of an era for the Grateful Dead community. Having joined the band at just 16 years old, he spent over six decades on the road. In true Bobby fashion, he spent his final months performing. His three-night run at Golden Gate Park in August 2025, celebrating the band’s 60th anniversary, now stands as a final gift to his hometown fans.

With the loss of Phil Lesh in October 2024 at age 84 and now Bobby, Bill Kreutzmann, 79, remains the sole surviving founding member of the original 1965 lineup.

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