“Max’s Kansas City was the exact place where pop art and pop life came together in New York in the 60’s.” – Andy Warhol

Andrea Feldman in front of Max’s  |  photo by Anton Perich

I finally got a chance to check out the Max’s Kansas City show at Steven Kasher Gallery that coincides with the book release by Abrams: “Max’s Kansas City: Art, Glamour, Rock and Roll.” The show is a well rounded collection of photographs and original art curated by Steven Kasher.

Paul Morrissey, Andy Warhol, Janis Joplin, and Tim Buckley  |  photo by Elliott Landy

Opened by Mickey Ruskin in 1965 at 213 Park Avenue South, Max’s Kansas City was a restaurant/nightclub in its heydey of the 6o’s and 70′s. The front room was the bar/restaurant, upstairs you could catch live shows by Iggy Pop, Blondie and the Velvet Underground. The famous back room became a VIP hangout with Andy Warhol as king of the court and with no rules other than you had to be fabulous.

{Clockwise Left to Right}: Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, model Bebe Buell (Liv Tyler’s mother) with an unidentified woman, and David Bowie

Debbie Harry  |  photo by Nicky L

{Top}: James Williamson, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed  |  photo by Danny Fields  {Bottom}: Eric Emerson & Nico  |  photo by Anton Perich

One of the best features in the show is a jukebox at the front of the gallery with a selection of tunes that were playing in the original jukebox at Max’s.

Here is a playlist I put together from some of the songs playing when I visited.

“Max’s Kansas City” is on display until October 16th at Steven Kasher Gallery, 521 West 23rd Street, NYC. To read more about Max’s, check out this website which re-creates the experience of Max’s.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Are you following LUSTER on Facebook & Twitter yet?  ♡ Keep up with me elsewhere!