5. New York Rockin’ Around the Clock

Photo by Jeff Rothstein

From 1968 to 1971, there were two iconic venues for rock music in America: Bill Graham’s Filmore West in San Francisco and Filmore East on Second Avenue and East 6th Street in New York. These two venues were the epicenter of the up-and-coming rock stars of the late 1960s and early 70s. Before closing its doors shortly after this picture was taken in 1971, the marquee served as a roadmap for the “who’s who” in rock music at the time.

This picture, captured by Rothstein, captures the concert venue at its height in 1971. In the back right of the picture, you may be able to spot the Orpheum Theater, which still stands today. Also in this picture is the vibrancy and livelihood of New York’s East Village during the early 1970s.