Punks, Poets & Provocateurs: New York City Bad Boys, 1977–1982

by Marcia Resnick

“The people from the extraordinary New York milieu amongst whom I was living and working had no way of knowing that the years between 1977 and 1982 were enchanted, endangered, and unrepeatable,” explains photographer Marcia Resnick. It was a time and place populated by icons, iconoclasts, and antiheroes whom Resnick documented with a unique and evocative eye. Here, her photographs of the “enfants terribles” reflect this unique time in the worlds of jazz, rock and roll, literature, art, and film—an era that remains highly influential. Rockers Johnny Thunders, Joey Ramone, James Brown, Iggy Pop, David Byrne, Brian Eno, and Mick Jagger; beat poets William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, and Gregory Corso; and provocateurs and raconteurs John Waters, Steve Rubell, Gary Indiana, Abbie Hoffman, Norman Mailer, Andy Warhol, and the incomparable John Belushi are included here, along with text by Victor Bockris and contemporary writings that create a context for Resnick’s photography from this inimitable era.

Genres: Photography

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 13, 2015

About the author

Marcia Resnick was an American photographer, author, and graphic artist. She was born and lived in New York City.

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved Marcia Resnick's photographs and this is a stunning collection. The accompanying text by Victor Bockris makes this book a must have if you are even remotely interested in its subject matter.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book featuring the photography of Marcia Resnick (including quips about her life at the time) and the bad boys of NYC's social and party bad boys circa 1977 to 1982. This was the time I came of age to go clubbing (drinking age being 18 at that time) so it was fun reminiscing about those whose antic filled the pages of the Village Voice, the NY Post and Daily News at the time. Sad also to be reminded of those whose life was cut short due to the excessive drug and alcohol abuse going on then. It seems today's generation is much more responsible and mature that those of us who survived.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a thing for 70s/80s musicians and NYC culture, and loved loved loved Patti Smith’s Just Kids, Debbie Harry’s autobiography, etc. This was … ok. Some of the photos have been widely published. Some are obscure (and of men I’ve never heard of). Was thrilled to see Klaus Nomi, though.
I struggled with the write ups. They were a bit too insider, have to be in the know, trying to hard to be cool, etc.
In summary, a great book for those who actually lived these times and knew these people.

[Blane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very different from her 'Re-Visions' project, this collection of Resnick's portraits of, well, punks, poets, & provocateurs from an especially fertile period in NYC's history is nothing short of astounding and amazingly good. Why is she not better known?