• History

The Real Vinyl: See Incredible Photos of the ’70s Music Scene in New York

1 minute read

The new HBO series Vinyl, which premieres on Sunday, is set in the alternately glitzy and grubby world of New York City’s 1970s music business. Considering it’s co-created by Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger, Vinyl is likely to nail the details.

Still, it’ll be hard to match the real rush of the volatile decade. The city’s music scene in the 1970s was glam, punk, rock and everything in between, as these photos make clear.

 

New York Dolls 1972
Influential American glam rock band the New York Dolls; David Johansen, front, Jerry Nolan, Johnny Thunders, Killer Kane and Sylvain Sylvain, pose in a dressing room. 1972.P. Felix—Getty Images
David Johansen In Recording Studio 1974
Rock, protopunk, blues and pop singer, songwriter and actor David Johansen of the band New York Dolls at A and R recording studio in NYC on Feb. 13, 1974.Waring Abbott—Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Bob Dylan At The Other End 1975
Bob Dylan (center) with some members of his Rolling Thunder tour including singer-songwriter, musician, record producer and poet Bobby Neuwirth (left of Dylan with his arm raised) singer-songwriter, musician and producer T-Bone Burnett (behind Dylan with guitar) and songwriter and theater director Jacques Levy (right of Dylan with beard, talking to woman with back to camera) and friends hanging out on July 16, 1975 at The Other End in New York City. 1975.Waring Abbott—Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Patti Smith Group Performs At CBGB's 1975
Patti Smith performing with Lenny Kaye at CBGB's club in New York City on April 4 1975.Richard E. Aaron—Redferns/Getty Images
David Bowie and Lenny Kaye at CBGB's in 1975
Lenny Kaye from the Patti Smith Group with David Bowie at CBGB's club in New York City on April 4 1975.Richard E. Aaron—Redferns/Getty Images
CBGB owner Hilly Krystal ejects Leggs McNeil from the club.
CBGB owner Hilly Krystal ejects Leggs McNeil from the club, 1976.Roberta Bayley—Redferns/Getty Images
The Runaways performing at CBGB in New York City on August 2, 1976.
The Runaways performing at CBGB in New York City on Aug. 2, 1976. Richard E. Aaron—Redferns/Getty Images
Mick Jagger and Bianca Jagger at the Copacabana New York City 1976
Mick Jagger and his wife Bianca arrive at the Andy Warhol-hosted re-opening party of the Copacabana nightclub, New York, N.Y., Oct. 13, 1976. Allan Tannenbaum—Getty Images
Dead Boys performing at CBGB in 1977.
Dead Boys performing at CBGB in 1977.Ebet Roberts—Redferns/Getty Images
The Ramones Perform At CBGB 1977
Punk rock group the Ramones perform at CBGB, New York, N.Y., Oct. 30, 1977. Allan Tannenbaum—Getty Images
Lenny Kaye Outside CBGB 1977
Lenny Kaye, of the Patti Smith Group, takes a break outside CBGB on the Bowery, New York, N.Y., May 28, 1977. Allan Tannenbaum—Getty Images
Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton, members of The JAM, performing at CBGB's on October 15, 1977.
Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton, members of The JAM, performing at CBGB's on Oct. 15, 1977.Ebet Roberts—Redferns/Getty Images
Liza Minnelli;Andy Warhol;Halston;Jack Jr. Haley [& Wife];Mrs. Mick Jagger
Celebrities during New Year's Eve party at Studio 54: Halston, Bianca Jagger, Jack Haley, Jr. and wife Liza Minnelli and Andy Warhol. 1978.Robin Platzer—The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
Punk Style Revelers On The Floor At Studio 54's Halloween Party
A pair of clubgoers dressed as punks lie on the floor at Studio 54's third annual Halloween party, New York, N.Y., Oct. 31, 1978. Allan Tannenbaum—Getty Images

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Write to Lily Rothman at lily.rothman@time.com