East Village, Rocks! Exploring the Neighborhood's Rock Music Legacy

New York's East Village of the 1970s didn't just have a great collection of rock venues and — it was the center of the rock music universe, period. But what was it like to see legendary performers take the stage at these historic venues, and how has the neighborhood's music scene changed over the following decades? It's time to explore the incredibly rich music history of this bohemian Manhattan neighborhood, from a music expert who experienced its heyday first-hand.

Join New York Adventure Club as we hit the streets of the East Village and explore the sights and stories of the neighborhood's 1970s rock legacy, ranging from its legendary music venues to eclectic rock bands.

Led by licensed New York City Tour Guide and music lover Ann McDermott — who worked in the music industry in the '70s and saw many rock shows alongside her musician friends and fellow fans — this on-the-ground exploration of the East Village's rock legacy will include:

• A stop at some of the former sites of New York's most legendary music venues, including The Fillmore East, CBGB's, and The Bottom Line
• Little-known stories throughout the decades, such as why Pete Townsend was arrested the night The Who premiered Tommy at The Fillmore East, to Bruce Springsteen's legendary performance at The Bottom Line in 1975
• Global rock stars who got their start in the East Village, including Janis Joplin, Blondie, Talking Heads, Patti Smith, and The Ramones
• Ann's personal first-hand stories of the 1970s rock scene, from what it was like to get a gig at CBGB's and Max’s Kansas City to seeing Patti Smith in a packed CBGB in the Summer of 1976
• The factors that promoted incredible artistic creativity during this era in New York history — and why it all but disappeared by the 1990s

See you there!

*Please bring a water bottle and comfortable pair of shoes as we’ll be doing a lot of walking!

**This tour concludes on West 4th Street and Mercer Street

About Ann

Ann McDermott, a native born New Yorker has spent her whole life in NYC born in Brooklyn, working in midtown and going to Rock shows where ever they happened. She's spent the bulk of her career in IT in various positions and she's well versed in the technology behind the music as well as the people who "made it happen". Once upon a time she worked for Warner Cable the company that launched MTV as well as ATCO records. In 2019 she became a licensed New York City Tour Guide and looks forward to showing you around!

Testimonials

"The history of a very important time for music in NYC." -Gisela

"Ann...excellent tour guide and love that she had the personal experience of the history of NY Rock Music!" -Robin

"Terrific guide" -Barry

"Informative, personal" -Diane

" The leader was very enthusiastic and I was interested in the topic! I recommend it highly if you like the origins of rock and roll music. It was fascinating!" -Lisa

"The leaders knowledge and enthusiasm in communicating" -Rosalie

"I love that our guide Ann WAS THERE! back in the day. She was extremely knowledgeable and well prepared for the tour. Inside stories of the music venues and the movers and shakers of the day in the music scene made it personal and so real." -Laurinda

"Knowledgeable. And after 4 yrs of watching NY Adventures virtual events, it was great to actually be in NYC for a live event" -Karen

Disclaimer

Event takes place rain or shine.

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Categories: In-Person, Neighborhood Tours

Host or Publisher New York Adventure Club