A February Entry From My 1976 Journal

Stephen Sprouse was living in a now famous loft building having been invited to stay by the temporary  landlord, Benton Quin who had also previously invited Chris Stein and Debbie Harry. We were all still playing well together. (See some pix on my website here: Blondie "266 Loft" ) Stephen was experimenting with Color Xerox. It was new to all of us and too expensive for most. We loved the high contrast you could get from Xeroxing a photo and the new bright colors. They had an influence on his clothes to come. He gave me this picture (I wish I could remember the name of the model who looks like one of "Antonio's Girls") and I think I folded it. We didn’t know that it took these forever to fully dry. The two sides got stuck together but I peeled them apart so I could paste it in my journal. I didn’t know about archival glue and preservation methods in those days. Then I took my Journal to Washington, D.C. where I was in previews with Divine, et al in Tom Eyen’s "Women Behind Bars" and I wrote on it. 

I try not to judge my callow self.

Here's what it says.: 

‘BY DEAR STEVEN SPROUSE WHO IS NOW WORKING FOR GEOFFREY BEENE INSTEAD OF THAT CROOK HALSTON. I MISS EVERYONE AT THE 266 LOFT. I WISH I COULD JUST HOP HOME. BUT FOUR HOURS IS TOO BIG OF A HOP. THE WASHINGTON THEATER CLUB IS A REALLY NICE SPACE TO BE WORKING. MY ROOMATE AT THE INTRIGUE HOTEL IS A DRAG. SHE IS A “NICE” GIRL.’

Horses sweat. Ladies "glow".

Debbie is perspiring.
I took this picture of Deborah Harry on the 4th floor of the Bowery loft where she and Chris Stein and Gary Valentine lived. The first floor was a Liquor Store, the second had a bedroom where C & D slept, the kitchen, a living area (where Gary slept) and the only bathroom. The 3rd floor housed their "landlord" who is well described in Gary's book. Stephen Sprouse eventually took over the 4th fl. The photo was part of a series of photos taken for the first CBGB's linked newspaper, "New York Rocker".

Debbie de Milo
8X10 Archival Digital Print
Signed:Lisa Jane Persky
$125 unframed + $10 shipping

Take a look at these two books being released this month. Gary Valentine's "New York Rocker" (My Life in The Blank Generation) and "PUNK" The Whole Story. These include some of my photos, great stories about BLONDIE and much more. Both are also listed under GOOD LOOKING in my links.