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What’s now commonly called “punk rock” arguably started in New York City around 1974, when bands such as The Ramones and Television took up residence at CBGB’s. However, it was still pretty far underground, and t wasn’t until a few years later that the NYC music scene hit its stride (sparking similar eruptions of audio angst across the States and in the U.K.).

VH1 (oddly enough) is scheduled to show a documentary of those times, NY77:The Coolest Year in Hell

I’m stoked to see this, partly because I was there at the time (so I’m waxing nostalgic), but mostly because my good friend Patty has some film footage included.

This two-part, two-hour documentary tells the story of one of the most astonishing pop culture years in American history. New York City had fallen in decay and chaos. There were not enough jobs, not enough money, not enough police, not enough schools, and not enough social services. There was a city wide black out with major looting, there was a serial killer on the loose, and the Bronx was burning.

Yet out of the chaos, emerged one of the most creative times any city has ever encountered. Hip Hop was emerging from the South Bronx, punk music was emerging from the Lower Eastside, and disco was emerging from Queens and midtown Manhattan. Elaborate, finely crafted graffiti art decorated the subway cars. Break-dancers danced in the streets. There was a huge sexual liberation with sex clubs and a burgeoning porn industry. In the beginning of the year, the world was not paying attention, and most of this activity existed in its own underground bubble. Yet by the end of 1977 all of this artistic expression was about to become part of mainstream America and would remain popular for generations to come. Maybe it would never again be this independent expression, not invented for money or fame, but the need to rebel against the mayhem around them. Maybe it would go on to be commercialized and sterilized for massive consumption. Maybe it would never again be this unique.

I’m trying to be optimistic that it won’t suck too much, and hopefully it will capture the spirit of the day and get the story straight.