Editor’s Note: We are pleased to announce the winners of our NYC Rock ‘n’ Roll contest: Beth Dekoker (her entry: “Over 40, a mom and still rockin!”) and Peter Randell (his entry: “My old punk tee is used to wash the car”). Just to recap, we are giving away 2 free T-shirts for answering one simple question in 10 words or less: Why should we give YOU a free rock ‘n’ roll T-shirt? Congratulations Beth & Peter.
Once upon a time rock ‘n’ roll was king. Rock conquered everything in its musical path, from schmaltzy folk ballads to lightweight pop. Rock’s lethal instrument was the electric guitar. Its warriors wore long hair (if you were into Led Zeppelin) or short hair (if you were a punk). It was sweaty, smelled like cheap beer and urine, and it was loud.
One constant in the ever-changing world of rock is New York City. It’s the home of a dozen seminal bands. Which is where Ron Colinear (a.k.a. Bobby Pinn) comes in. He’s the chief guide and founder of Rock Junket, a company on a mission to celebrate, preserve and expose New York’s great (and too often neglected) music and pop culture history.
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| NYC Rock n Roll Founder, Ron Colinear (Bobby Pinn) |
Bobby Pinn covers New York City’s music-related landmarks and lore on his acclaimed Rock Junket: New York City Rock ‘n’ Roll Walking Tour. Pinn eagerly and enthusiastically walks his rock flock past where Blondie, the Velvet Underground, Television, the Ramones, New York Dolls and Patti Smith lived and played, where Andy Warhol plied his rough trade in his “Factories,” where the Beatles roosted while in the city, and where they riled up millions with their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Charlie Parker’s Alphabet City pad, Johnny Thunders den of iniquity, Madonna’s first New York City apartment, CBGB’s (the birth place of punk rock), Max’s Kansas City, Andy Warhol’s Exploding Plastic Inevitable parties, Led Zeppelin’s album cover, the Rolling Stones video shoot.
Yes, you cover a lot of rock when you take a NYC rock ‘n’ roll walking tour with Bobby Pin.
Interview with Bobby Pinn: Are you ready to rock in NYC?
At Viator we’re proud to offer Bobby’s NYC rock walk. (Yes, even at Viator, we love to rock.) So we tracked down Rock Junket’s founder and asked him a few questions about New York City, its music, and the bands that have made the city (in)famous.
Viator: What’s the most underrated band you cover on your tour?
Bobby Pin: The Dictators. They were a punk band that formed in New York City in the early 1970s and had their first album released in 1975. They didn’t enjoy a lot of commercial success but they certainly were admired by other bands of that era. Little Steven, of Springsteen’s E Street Band and the Sopranos, referred to them “as the connective tissue between the era’s of The MC5, The Stooges, New York Dolls and the punk explosion of the mid to late 1970’s”.
Viator: OK, so what’s the cheesiest band you cover on your tour?
Bobby Pin: No cheese on my rock tours, baby. I save it for my burgers.
Viator: What’s the best place to see live rock music in NYC these days?
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| Former NYC Rock Landmark: CBGBs |
Bobby Pin: The NYC music has changed over the years. CBGB’s closed in 2006 and The Continental stopped hosting live bands that same year. However Mercury Lounge, Arlenes Grocery, Pianos, Fillmore at Irving Plaza, Bowery Ballroom, and Warsaw in Brooklyn are all great venues.
Viator: Who’s the most famous person / musician you’ve ever taken on a tour?
Bobby Pin: Johnny Rotten! No, not really. But I did meet him once at the Chelsea Hotel and he was cool, took a picture with me and signed an autograph. However I had Roberta Bayley, who is a very famous photographer. Roberta shot the debut cover for the Ramones and she did the back cover shot of the Dolls debut. Also Rebecca Rankin from VH1. But the cool thing about my walks are that we bump into people on the streets. Richard Hell, Lou Reed, Ric Ocasek, Debbie Harry, Handsome Dick Manitoba, my groups have been lucky some days.
Viator: Are there any good up-and-coming NYC bands people should listen for?
Bobby Pin: The days of bands moving to New York City are slim because of the high cost of living. In the 1970s, ’80s and even part of the ’90s you could have a band, share a pad and practice and get gigs and still survive. But the cost of living is so high nowadays that many musicians and artists live on the outskirts of NYC. I also believe we will never see an era like 1964-1979. That was 15 years of unbelievable music, fashion and art. However there are a few bands from NYC that are making some strides. I like The Black Hollies and EL-P from Brooklyn.
Viator: Who’s more rock n’ roll: The Ramones or New York Dolls?
Bobby Pin: Wow, that is a tough one. I believe The Dolls, The Velvet Underground and The Stooges were the punk rock foundation. The Dolls did have Johnny Thunders, who was pretty damn rock n roll. But I would say the Ramones as they jump started the whole punk rock scene and they had Dee Dee who also was pretty damn rock n roll. But then again I have a Dolls tattoo.
Viator: If you could, what other city would you want to do a Rock n’ Roll tour in — London? Los Angeles? Seattle?
Bobby Pin: I have plans to branch out to other cities. London, Chicago, LA, SF are on my radar so look out rock n roll fans. Rock Junket is coming to your town, so get ready to rock.
Contest: Free NYC Rock ‘n’ Roll T-Shirt Alert!
What better way to say “I Luv Rock ‘n’ Roll” than with a free Rock Junket T-shirt, featuring the cool logo above. These ain’t shabby Tees, neither. We’re talking about high-quality, black American Apparel T-shirts. We have 2 T-shirts to give away, one for a woman and one for a man.
So what’s the deal?
In 10 words or less (yes, we will count them) answer the following question: Why should we give YOU a free rock ‘n’ roll T-shirt? That’s right, simply answer the question “why should we give YOU a free rock ‘n’ roll T-shirt?” in 10 words or less, and we will chose the best 2 entries (1 female, 1 male) to win a free Rock Junket NYC Rock ‘n’ Roll T-shirt. The contest closes February 29. (Please note, the contest is now closed, see below for the winners.)
Good luck. And for those about to rock in NYC, we salute you.
–Scott McNeely
Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s tours & things to do in New York City, from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Walking Tour to a Hip Hop NYC Tour and dozens more off-beat and unique NYC travel ideas.
