I suppose it could just be that more cool things tend to happen in entertainment at the end of the year, but for the third time in a row I received the final copy of one of my magazine subscriptions that I wasn't planning to renew (for general lack of interest) only to find it to be the most wonderful issue I've seen in ages. This time around it's INTERVIEW, which happens to be the 40th anniversary issue. While the cover is nothing to get that excited about -- that's Kristen Stewart, whom I've enjoyed enough in a couple of films and predict will do a good job as Joan Jett in the Runaways biopic -- it's what's inside that I found fascinating, even if it only serves to reiterate why I've lost interest in the mag's current incarnation. This anniversary issue, of course, it's jam-packed with old photos from the '70s and '80s when -- here I go -- stars were stars and the New York nightlife scene was alive and happening.
Classic photos of a sleeveless Richard Gere by Herb Rittz in '83, Madonna screaming by Laura Levine in '83, Grace Jones by Chris Von Wagenheim in '77, a photo of a nearly unrecognizable Debbie Harry by Barry McKinley in '79, Steve Rubell's Fire Island Pool Party by Marina Schiano in '79, plus Sean Penn and Madonna lying in the grass by Herb Ritts in 1985, the moment I believe Madonna was at her most beautiful ever.
Think I'm just hammering home my Tired Old Queen status? Consider this: in the sections divided by decade, the '70s features wonderful snaps of David Bowie, Cher, Elizabeth Taylor, Mick Jagger, Olivia Newton-John, Michael Jackson plus this photo of Bob Colacello, Jerry Hall, Andy Warhol, Debbie Harry, Truman Capote and Paloma Picasso at what they say was the 10th anniversary party for magazine in 1979 but Life says was a 1978 affair at Studio 54 for Deb's cover. (Not sure who's right.)
The '80s sees John Waters, Divine, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Steve Rubell (all at Area), plus Liza Minnelli and Halston, Keith Haring, Debi Mazar, Lou Reed, Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro.The '90s have their moment, with fun photos of Madonna with Versace and Ingrid Casares, John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, a young-and-in-love Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Pitt, plus some scary Club Kids like Michael Alig and Olympia.
Then come the '00s, with "can't-forget moments" with Lindsay Lohan, Emma Watson(?), Lauren Santo Domingo(?), Natalia Vodianova(?), Lily Donaldson(?), Gemma Ward(?), Andrea Castragi(?) and Lazaro Hernanez(?). (Any questions as to why I'm not renewing?)
If you're only going to be buy more issue of INTERVIEW magazine, though, October/November 2009 is the one to get.
3 comments:
Years ago, I was a screening of some movie and sitting right behind Andy Warhol who was sitting between two very young, very attractive men. Someone approached him asking for an autograph with pen and paper. He gestured to one of his boys who then reached into a leather satchel for the current issue of Interview. Andy signed it and handed it to the fan never uttering a word. My friend, not missing a beat, tapped on Mr. Warhol's shoulder and asked "by chance, you don't have the December, '85 issue with you?"
You were just young, honey. Stars were stars way back in 1900 - Lillian Russell and George M. Cohan and all that crap.
Imagine the 60's when I went to NYC and saw Twiggy on the street one day and then met Lillian Gish at church and Larry Kert at the Continental Baths. Honestly, it's true.
according to Bob Colacello's "Holy Terror" the Studio 54 pic with Debbie and Andy was I deed an anniversary celebration for Interview. Debbie just happened to be the featured cover if memory serves me correctly.
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