The Age of Paradox and The New Bowery

Monday, May 5, 2008 | 9:07 AM

By Clem Burke

Having just retuned from a few weeks in my hometown, NYC,it really hit me what a paradoxical decade we
live in. I suppose living in Manhattan was always about the rich, middle and poor meeting head on but it
seemed more evident then ever on the New Bowery. The new Bowery Hotel is directly next to a homeless
shelter. How's that for paradox?

Granted, back in the 70's this area did see an invasion of white middleclass rock and roll kids from the
suburbs brushing up against the local residents but everyone was living in squalor. CBGB's was a dive bar
with music that fit right into the neighborhood now it's an upscale clothing store that does actually fit right
into the neighborhood.

Located next to the John Varvatos boutique is the Morrison Hotel photo gallery, for sale, thousand dollar plus prints of the Bowery of the 70's. Ramones, Johnny Thunders, Blondie, Patti Smith. The past for sale in the future at the same location. Figure that one out. Welcome to the Age of Paradox.

Don't get me wrong, after all this is the 21st Century and things have changed. I'm not against any of this,
John Varvatos is maintaining the spirit of the old CB's in a modern way and Bob Gruen's photos at the Morrison Hotel really do capture the history of the NYC 70's music revolution.

I like all of this in a very paradoxical way. I accept it, things have changed.

A few more examples of this age:

1- Against the war but support the troops, of course.

2- The leader of the world, W, never traveled abroad until becoming president

3- It now costs the U.S. Mint 10 cents to make a nickel. True, look it up.

4- There are more aspiring music artists then ever while the music business is at an all time low.

Feel better now?

Peace, love and rock n roll,
Clem Burke

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