The other day, I was given a treasure trove of SoHo memory in the form of two boxes full of issues of The SoHo Weekly News from 1974 and 1975 (thanks, J and C!). I remember seeing the paper lying around the house and probably used it for more than one paper mache project, but I cannot say that I was a regular reader. I’m sure you older folk read it religiously for local news and listings, in the way that I read the Village Voice in the mid-1980′s when I was a young, single person looking for culture, high and low.
According to the SoHo Weekly News Online, “From October 1973 until March 1982 the SoHo Weekly News was New York City’s hippest paper and guide to what was happening in Fun City.” SoHo Weekly News publisher Michael Goldstein outlined the goals of the newspaper in its premier issue:
We are planning to report what’s going on down here honestly and fairly. To do that we need your help–in telling us your problems, filling us in on what’s happening and keeping us generally informed. (Vol. 1 No. 1 in October 11, 1973)
The staff of SWN in November 1974
Writer and former SWN Music Editor Peter Occhiogrosso wrote in 2003 that
The Soho Weekly News began with modest intentions in October 1973. Founder and publisher Michael Goldstein once said he started the paper so that Soho residents could stop hanging fliers everywhere to let other residents know what was happening. In effect, it was a neighborhood paper meant to focus on local news, with the expectation of adding of local arts coverage. (source)
I have not yet gone through the boxes I received, but I pulled out a random stack of issues from the latter half of 1974 and flipped through them. Among the many fabulous things I came across were an article about an up-and-coming musician named Bruce Springsteen, an ad for CBGBs with The Ramones and Blondie performing on a Sunday night, an interview with John Cage, and a movie listing from the Bleecker Street Cinema. I am so looking forward to unpacking all of the issues to see what else I may find. In the meantime, here are some highlights of what I’ve uncovered thus far.
click on images to enlarge
An advertisement for Pioneer Supermarket boldly declaring “Will Deliver to SoHo” as if it were an act of bravery
I’m not sure I understand this personal ad
Love these letters to the editor
Back when The Ramones and Blondie could only get a Sunday night timeslot
An interview with John Cage
An article about an up-and-coming singer named Bruce
Today residents decry the spread of commercial establishments along Bleecker, but once upon a time this was welcomed
Check out what was playing the the Bleecker Street Cinema in 1974
Tags: SoHo Weekly News
February 9, 2013 at 9:20 am |
A generation or two later — and now “The SoHo Weekly Blog.”
Brilliant. Someday this will be recycled by our grandchildren!
February 9, 2013 at 11:05 am |
Wow, I sure remember the SWN!
February 11, 2013 at 5:53 pm |
We read them both. My parents were artists and SoHo pioneers who moved “uptown” to the Coogan building when they were evicted from their loft building on West Broadway in 1971. The Voice was there before, during and after SWN. The SWN was easily more fun and happening ( please look for the politically incorrect, but very funny, front page article about the renovation of west 42nd st). And it was the most coveted “real life as learning experience”credit at my high school City-as-School. However, the Voice was always where one looked for a job or new loft even when the SWN was around.
February 18, 2013 at 11:01 am |
Wow! I love this stuff. Another time and another city. Keep ‘em coming!
June 4, 2013 at 4:09 am |
Would be great if you could digitise these and make them available online!