Legends of PUNK-Book's Review

Punks Not Dead portraits bring dead stars to life, and make the homely handsome again.

Adam Ant is famous for fucking up. In recent months he's been caught with his pants around his ankles in a crowded London café, and in the middle of an all-in-bar brawl. But once he was beautiful-his white cross-nose makeup emulated by boys and girls all over the world. And in Rikki Ercoli's portraits, he is “Prince Charming” once again.

Ercoli's book, Legends of Punk: Photos From the Vault, tracks some of the most notorious figures in rock'n'roll in the late ‘70s and early 80s. In the previously unreleased photos, Sid Vicious is alive and sneering and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers barely have a tattoo between them. Adam Ant-now little more than fat tabloid fodder-is a vacant-eyed dude in leather pants.“I guess I would be nuts, too,” Ercoli says of the artist formerly known as Ant. “He's lost his looks and all that. He was real quiet. At his shows, cameras were strictly banned…but when he saw I had a camera he posed for it.”

Ercoli, now the Photo Editor at San Francisco's Falcon Studios, has a bit of trouble recalling all of the rock'n'roll moments in his life. He remembers meeting Patti Smith's mother, and staying in Joey Ramone's New York loft, around the corner from legendary punk club CBGBs. He remembers hanging out with Blondie's Deborah Harry in the girl's toilets at college, and watching The Mumps singer Lance Loud, who had famously come out as a teenager on the 1973 US documentary series An American Family.He also remembers legendary Sex Pistol Sid Vicious as a fantastic guy in a belt made of cock rings. “He was so nice, so friendly, and so funny-he was like a kid really. I was always pulling on his cock ring-belt, trying to get it, trying to get him to

San Francisco’s MANIC D PRESS announces the publication of LEGENDS OF PUNK: Photos from the Vault by Rikki Ercoli Press contact: Jennifer Joseph 415.648.8288Critically–acclaimed, award–winning publishing company Manic D Press announces the eagerly awaited release of Rikki Ercoli’s LEGENDS OF PUNK: Photos from the Vault, a visual feast of black–and–white portraits capturing some of the most notorious rock’n’roll icons from the late ’70s and early ’80s.In these never–before–seen live and backstage photos taken in London , New York , Philadelphia and other locations, Sid Vicious is alive and sneering, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers barely have a tattoo between them. Deborah Harry of Blondie pouts seductively, Patti Smith is wide–eyed and dancing (barefoot?), and DeeDee Ramone is young and glistening with sweat. The crowds are moshing and the hairdos are tremendous.With reunion tours of the Sex Pistols and Bow Wow Wow occurring nationally this season, and the recent passing of Joey and DeeDee Ramone as well as Joe Strummer, this book is exceptionally timely and a great holiday gift for music lovers of all ages.

Sid Vicious        P.I.L. - Public Image Ltd.      Paul Cook     Steve Jones     Patti Smith       The Ramones        Debbie Harry        The Clash

 

Legends of Punk: Photos from the Vault ISBN: 0916397866 by Rikki Ercoli Manic D Press Hardcover 126 pages  Once in a while, in amongst all the re-packaged, re-released products, comes a real nugget. Legends Of Punk showcases the work of photographer Rikki Ercoli, focusing on the late 70s / early 80s US punk scene, starting with Sid Vicious at Max's Kansas City. In the book's forward, Rikki recalls his time in NYC, briefly getting acquainted with Sid and Nancy. The remainder of the book is text free, allowing full enjoyment of the images. You will find a treasure trove of unseen black and white pictures within the 116 pages. These include striking atmospheric shots of Johnny Lydon with PIL, plus Steve Jones & Paul Cook as The Professionals. Steve is captured with his best perm while Paul has long hair! Other highlights include The Clash, Ramones, BowWowWow, plus Debbie Harry looking stunning as per usual. Worthy of particular note are shots of Jah Wobble, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and American originals, Richard Hell and Stiv Baters. Additionally, second generation UK punk bands such as The Exploited and GBH are pictured during some of their earliest visits to the US. This is a superb unmissable publication. A genuine 'new' product. Purchase & enjoy.