100 New Yorkers of the 1970s

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

17385

Title

100 New Yorkers of the 1970s

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Journalist Max Millard recounts his two-and-a-half-year tenure at the free weekly TV Shopper in New York City during the late 1970s. This collection features profiles of prominent residents, artists, and celebrities from both the Upper West and East Sides, capturing the unique atmosphere of Manhattan when the great mingled with the ordinary.

Summary up to 500 words

In November 1976, journalist Max Millard moved to New York City to pursue a full-time career after years of freelance work in New England. He secured a position at the *TV Shopper*, a free weekly newspaper founded by Bruce Logan that distributed TV listings and profiles to homes across Manhattan. Between May 1977 and December 1979, Millard conducted approximately 210 interviews, primarily with figures in the arts and entertainment industries. From this extensive collection, he curated his top 100 favorite stories for the book *100 New Yorkers of the 1970s*. The book serves as a historical snapshot of late-1970s New York City, capturing a city where status was often superficial but genuine talent shone through. Millard interviewed a diverse array of subjects, including Broadway stars like Delores Hall and Pinchas Zukerman; literary icons such as John Leonard and Isaac Asimov; political figures like former Mayor John Lindsay; and cultural giants like Stan Lee and Tom Wolfe. The text highlights the accessibility of many celebrities during this era, noting that despite their fame, many were friendly and unpretentious, contrasting sharply with those who remained distant or arrogant. Millard details the mechanics of his profession, emphasizing the importance of getting facts straight and meeting deadlines. He recounts his early days as a young, somewhat naive reporter who learned to navigate the city's social hierarchies. He describes how he secured interviews by studying clipping files at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and leveraging connections, such as with autograph collector Anna Sosenko, to reach older generation stars. The book reveals that while some high-profile figures were difficult to approach, the vast majority of interviewees were grateful for the exposure their cover stories provided. The collection covers various cultural shifts occurring in music, theater, and literature, offering insights into the lives of people who defined New York culture at the time. Millard also reflects on his personal journey, noting that by late 1979, he realized New York's competitive nature was not his natural element. He left for San Francisco in early 1980, taking his stories with him. Decades later, thanks to Bruce Logan preserving copies of the original clippings, Millard retyped and corrected these narratives in 2005. The resulting book offers a nostalgic yet insightful look at the personalities and atmosphere that characterized New York City during a transformative decade.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography