The Sounds Of New York City

(work title)

all rights reserved (C) Art From The Heart LLC 

Rockumentary Series Summary

The Rise & Fall of New York City's Rock Live Music Scene in the 1980s & 1990s.

During the 80s and 90s, New York City had a very diverse, inclusive and vibrant underground rock live music scene that attracted musicians, bands, music professionals, entrepreneurs and fans from all walks of life and from around the world. It was a time of opportunity and creativity, inspired by the explosion of independent record companies, Bands, Clubs, DIY and the annual New Music Seminar. Unfortunately the scenes started to disappear during the mid 90s as we know it, because of corruption and external factors.

The city was a melting pot of musicians and people from the industry, where they could socialize, network, and collaborate with like minded from different backgrounds and sexual orientation. This led to a diverse and exciting musical landscape, where experimentation was flourishing, musical & social boundaries were pushed, where musicians could express themselves freely and the fans could experience a wide variety of musical styles and genres seven days a week.

Despite the vibrant economy and the opportunities available, New York City's rock live music scene during the 1980s and 1990s also faced challenges that had a devastating impact on the musicians and the scene. Musicians struggled to make a living from their music, as many clubs were short-lived and record companies used their music as a tax write-off. The consumption and easy access of drugs, while contributing to creativity and freedom of expression, also had negative consequences on the musicians and the culture.

The mid-1990s marked the beginning of the end for the rock live music scene in New York City. Gentrification, greedy landlords and real estate development caused many small club owners and managers to close their doors forever. The NYC mayors' office was targeting small clubs, which imposed unjustified and outrageous violation fees. The Limelight's closing was the final nail in the coffin, and the closing of clubs snowballed from there.

The legacy of the New York City rock scene continues to live on through the memories and music of those who participated in it. Wolfgang Busch's rockumentary series, produced by Art From The Heart Films, serves as an authentic archive of oral and performance history that documents the significance of this scene in the cultural and social context of its time. 

The preservation of this history is not only important for future generations, but it also provides a platform for academic research, analysis, and discussion of the evolution of music and its impact on society. 

The audience will be inspired and engaged with compelling stories from industry insiders, new music and entertaining videos. They learn about the evolution of the punk and new wave music scenes in New York City during the 1980s and 1990s, where its impact on the music industry is often overlooked by mainstream media. The audience will also gain insight into the lives of local musicians, club owners, and scenesters, and how they contributed to the thriving underground economy.

For participants, this Rockumentary series also serves as an investment for the future. By re-connecting musicians, fans & industry professionals, it reminds us of the importance of supporting the preservation of music history and culture, to inspire future generations of musicians and music enthusiasts.

The rise and fall of New York City's rock live music scene during the 1980s and 1990s was a dynamic period in music history that had left a profound impact on the music industry and the cultural landscape of New York City. 

produced by

presents

Punk - Rock - Heavy Metal - Industrial - New Wave - Gothic

WHY DO WE NEED THOSE ROCKUMENTARY EPISODES ?

To preserve the New York City musical evolution of that time, its history & culture for academic purpose.

Who were the headliners after

the Ramones, Patti Smith, Blondie, Jane County & Talking Heads 

and who was going to be the next Rock Star of the new era ?

Who was the next generation of booking agents and visionaries after Hilly Kristal, Peter Crowley, Don Hill, John Argento, Stephen Trimboli, Jim Fouratt and Rudolph at the Cat Club, Limelight, Danceteria, China Club and all the new clubs popping up all over the village ?

What new bands were the Record Companies darlings who were promised to be the next "big thing", but their CD got shelved and their music is yet to be discovered ?

The stories are told by the bands and the industry people behind the scene who were living their dreams and living in the moment to entertain you, because it was and still is in their DNA ?