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New York Post
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Photographer revives iconic NYC album covers on Instagram
New York City's streets hide legendary rock 'n' roll moments you never knew were there — until Steve Birnbaum brings them back to life. The Big Apple-based photographer and filmmaker is the brain behind @TheBandWasHere — a viral project that resurrects iconic album covers right where they were shot decades ago. Birnbaum tracks down where famous band photos were snapped, then goes back to those exact spots to re-create the shots — album covers, promo pics, you name it. 9 Steve Birnbaum hunts down the exact spots where iconic photos were taken decades ago — then re-creates them today, like this homage to Don Hunstein's 1963 cover shot for 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan.' Olga Ginzburg for NY Post His feed is a roll call of NYC rock legends like the Strokes, Talking Heads, Blondie, Ramones, Bob Dylan, and Simon & Garfunkel — all brought back to life right where the magic originally happened. Think Bob Dylan strolling on the same chilly Greenwich Village sidewalk in 1963, or the Ramones posing outside that gritty East Village wall in 1976, all perfectly framed as they are today. But his collection doesn't stop there. He also has iconic images of the Notorious B.I.G., Bruce Springsteen, The Doors, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Taylor Swift and more. What excites Birnbaum most is reconnecting New Yorkers with the invisible soundtrack of their daily lives. 'It's crazy how much you walk the streets and go past things … so many of us walk by where Stevie Nicks once twirled or where Debbie Harry once stood … and don't even notice.' Birnbaum's nostalgia-powered hustle taps into our obsession with 'then-and-now' culture and that classic NYC pride to hold on to the past — especially the golden eras of music that helped define the city's identity. 9 Birnbaum has spent years sleuthing out legendary photo shoot spots — digging through old interviews, tour clues and Google Maps. Here, his re-creation of Patrick Morgan's 2007 shot of Amy Winehouse. Steve Birnbaum/@TheBandWasHere His feed — he counts Blondie's Chris Stein, Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan and SZA as fans — is a living museum of rock 'n' roll history, proving that while skyscrapers sprout and neighborhoods morph, the soul of NYC music still lingers — if you know where to look. But don't mistake this for a quick snap-and-post hustle. Birnbaum calls himself 'a music historian' and makes it his ultimate priority to honor and credit each album cover's original photographer. He's spent years chasing down the exact locations of legendary photo shoots, piecing together clues from old interviews, concert tour dates and band itineraries and even scouring Google Maps for hours. 9 Birnbaum has spent years sleuthing out legendary photo shoot spots — digging through old interviews, tour clues and Google Maps — like for this re-creation of Danny Fields' 1977 Ramones cover for 'Rocket to Russia.' Olga Ginzburg for NY Post 'I do challenge myself and I try to find photos that would just be tough to do,' he said. He even studies the original photographer's angle and often finds himself crouching, contorting or lying on the ground to nail the shot. Birnbaum's journey began with personal memories — family albums and snapshots from his youth — but quickly evolved into a full-blown passion project after the seismic shift of 9/11. 'There was a cover of the Village Voice,' he recalls, 'where an artist photographer held up a picture of the World Trade Center just after the attacks. That inspired me artistically.' 9 Birnbaum's feed is a who's who of NYC rock legends — the Strokes, Talking Heads, Blondie and more — all resurrected where the magic first happened. Olga Ginzburg for NY Post What started as a quiet personal archive snowballed into a vibrant chronicle of pop culture and music history, all anchored to the very streets of New York. To uncover these sites, Birnbaum dives deep — and sometimes, a tiny detail can be the key. 'When I was looking for the original location for the shot of the Greatest Hits album from Simon & Garfunkel, I noticed Paul Simon was holding something that looked like an egg-shaped container for L'eggs pantyhose from the 1980s,' Birnbaum recalled. 'But it turned out to be my biggest clue to finding where Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel stood in the photo.' 9 Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits album, released in 1972. Steve Birnbaum/@TheBandWasHere He said walking by an Upper East Side park 'triggered my memory.' 'He was holding onto part of a fence at 7 East 94th Street,' he said. 'I was able to track down the location, which I never thought would still be around. There wasn't a lot to go from, but it was that little piece and detail.' 9 Birnbaum studies every angle of the original shot — whether the photographer crouched, tilted or shot from below — and isn't afraid to contort, crouch or lie flat to get the perfect match. Olga Ginzburg for NY Post But often it's a mix of intuition and persistence, plus knowing and loving NYC's vast neighborhoods. 'You have to be crazy at this at times,' he laughed. 'New York's been tough.' The city's rapid transformation — from the Lower East Side to Chinatown to towering new developments — forms a bittersweet backdrop to his work. Each photograph captures a moment frozen in time, but many of those moments are fading as buildings vanish or get repurposed. 'As much as I love New York, it really has changed a lot in the last five, 10 years,' he said. 9 In a fast-changing, digital world, Birnbaum's work hits a nostalgic nerve — reviving the golden ages of music that shaped NYC's soul. Olga Ginzburg for NY Post His photos, often taken with his iPhone or DSLR camera, serve as time machines, revealing the unseen layers beneath the city's concrete and steel. For Birnbaum, that's the true joy of his work. 'I do consider myself a music historian in regard to the photographs,' he said, noting he's proud to preserve NYC's rich musical legacy — one photo, one street corner at a time. 9 Snapped mostly on his iPhone, Birnbaum's shots — like this 1981 Mick Jagger still from the filming of the Rolling Stones' 'Waiting on a Friend' video — act as time machines, peeling back the layers of NYC's concrete jungle. Steve Birnbaum/@TheBandWasHere 9 'It's crazy how much you walk the streets and go past things,' he said. Olga Ginzburg for NY Post It's also a reminder that no matter how much New York changes, its soul never fades. 'I want people to look up and say, 'Hey, I'm standing where music legends once stood,'' he said. 'That connection, that history, is so important.' 5 NYC locations for legendary albums Led Zeppelin: 'Physical Graffiti,' (1975), 96 St. Marks Place, New York, NY, 10003 Bob Dylan: 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan,' (1963), middle of Jones Street, 50 feet from West Fourth Street, New York, NY, 10014 Ramones: 'Rocket to Russia,' (1977), back alley off First Street behind John Varvatos (formerly CBGB), 315 Bowery, New York, NY 10003 Neil Young: 'After the Gold Rush,' (1970), northwest corner of Sullivan Street and West Third Street, New York, NY, 10012 Simon & Garfunkel: 'Greatest Hits' (1972), 7 E. 94th St., New York, NY, 10128
New York Post
23-05-2025
- New York Post
I'm a pilot — here's the disastrous truth about flying out of Newark Airport
It's just a plane pain. Delays, cancellations and air-traffic trauma. The plagues have all contributed to the ongoing chaos of flying out of Newark Liberty International Airport. And, unfortunately, this dreamy wingman says the nightmare is far from over. 5 Pilot Pete Cappio shared his first-hand experience with the long lines, wait times, flight delays and cancellations that have recently plagued New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport. Getty Images 'Holy cow, is that a disaster,' griped pilot Pete Cappio, a Big Apple-based aviator and 'Bachelorette' alum, of his recent departure from the NYC-area air station. Offering his 183,000 TikTok viewers a sneak peek at the plane pandemonium, Cappio, 35, shared visuals featuring a cluster of aircraft waiting to take off from Newark's tarmac. But smooth sailing out of the airport — deemed a 'travel hellhole' by frustrated frequent flyers over the past few weeks — has become virtually impossible. The disarray is largely due to a string of air-traffic control outages, construction issues and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employee walk-offs. The ongoing tumult forced the FAA to announce a dramatic cut to the number of flights permitted to come in and out Newark for the next several months. 5 Cappio warned jetsetters traveling into or out of Newark to expect delays and cancellations. REUTERS 5 Newark Airport has been in turmoil since a 90-second power outage in late April. REUTERS 5 Cappio says his plane was 27th in line to depart from Newark Airport due to a closed runway. Getty Images Luckily for Cappio, endearingly known as 'Pilot Pete' online, he made it out by the hairs of his chiseled chin. 'Here's a live look at how many airplanes I had to wait behind prior to takeoff,' the millennial moaned in his viral vid. 'We were No. 27 for takeoff, and that's for multiple reasons,' he continued, adding that the 'biggest' blockage was a closed runway undergoing reconstruction. 5 Cappio gave social media fans a glimpse at the 'disastrous' traffic on Newark Airport's runways. TikTok / @ 'Every airline has to take off and land on a parallel runway, and it causes a backup bigger than I've ever seen before at Newark,' complained Cappio. 'Unbelievable,' he said. 'It took us 57 minutes, from push back to takeoff, behind all these airplanes.' Still, the airman applauded Newark's few remaining air traffic controllers for doing their best under some of the worst conditions. 'Excellent job,' he raved. 'Super, super skilled getting airplanes airborne as quickly as possible while dealing with airplanes coming in to land.' Cappio went on to assure trippers that catching a flight to or from the beleaguered hub is 'super safe,' but advised folks to 'expect delays' and 'possible cancellations.' 'Crazy, crazy happenings at Newark Airport.'
Perth Now
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin to partner with New York Liberty
Rihanna is "proud" that Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin are partnering with New York Liberty. The 'Diamonds' hitmaker's Fenty Beauty have previously sponsored the WBNA All-Star Weekend but the new venture marks the brand's first WNBA partnership and Rihanna is "excited" to see the players "put their game face on". She told Allure magazine: 'I've always said that make-up is there to have fun with, to express yourself with. "It should be reflective of a vibe, of a moment, of a personality—whatever you want it to be. I'm excited to see how these incredible women of the New York Liberty put their game faces on and am proud to have Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin be a part of their story this season.' She also said in a statement: 'There is no energy and spirit like New York City's. And the women of the New York Liberty exemplify such beauty, power and strength, so to have Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin become a part of their journey this season is incredible." The partnership will see the logos feature on the team's pre-game warm-up jackets and shooting shirts, while the brand will also engage with fans through activations inside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and other "product discovery moments". Keia Clarke, CEO of the New York Liberty, said in a statement "The New York Liberty are thrilled to team up with Fenty Beauty—a trailblazing brand that shares our values of championing women and celebrating individuality, authenticity and confidence. "Aligning with like-minded brands allows us to deliver meaningful connections and experiences that truly resonate with our fan base. Together, we will embrace empowerment, boldness, and a commitment to creativity." Partnering with the Big Apple-based team was a "natural" move for the brand. Heather Fisher, CMO of Fenty Beauty, said: 'New York is where we launched Fenty Beauty. We, and Rihanna, have deep roots and love for this city, so the NY Liberty was a natural first WBNA partner for us. 'Everything we do with Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin not only upholds Rihanna's mission of 'Beauty for All,' but reflects her personal connections and inspirations. "They're reigning champs and a powerhouse team and the NY Liberty's incredible display of female beauty, power and strength is a perfect match for us.'
New York Post
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Kids are getting hooked on ‘crack' cartoon that has parents ‘scared' — but they've found a surprising alternative
When Lauren Isler first heard about 'CoComelon,' an addictively popular animated streaming series that reportedly hooks toddlers on its bright colors, loud music and characters sporting oversized heads and googly eyes, she didn't think twice about letting her young son watch. However, the Virginia influencer, who posts as @MamasandMesses on Instagram, quickly noticed how overstimulated her child became whenever he watched the show — a bona fide streaming sensation now boasting nearly 200 billion views on YouTube alone. 'He would sit there glued to the TV and he never wanted us to turn it off,' Isler, a former teacher, said of the taken-in tyke, now 4. 11 Lauren Isler said her son was terribly overstimulated when he first watched 'Cocomelon.' @MamasandMesses 'Unlike other shows he'd watch for a little bit, when 'CoComelon' was on, he demonstrated some negative behaviors — transitions were hard and there were tantrums, especially when it was time to turn it off,' she recounted. And ask concerned parent Shani Hillian which cartoon she won't allow her 4-year-old daughter to watch, and she doesn't mince her words. 11 Shani Hillian said her home is a 'no-'CoComelon' household.' She's pictured here holding daughter Anaïs, 4, next to her husband Boris Ginet, 51, and three-month-old Nura at their home. Stephen Yang 11 Parents say 'CoComelon' is filled with frenetic energy that's caused issues for their kids. ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection 'This is a no-'CoComelon' household,' Hillian, a Big Apple-based beauty writer, proclaimed to The Post. 'It's too fast-paced, it's too aggressive, and I don't like how big their eyes are. It's scary. I also feel like the overstimulation is playing into the short attention span I think kids already have. When kids get used to constant entertainment, they struggle with boredom and quiet play.' The one time Hillian's daughter saw 'CoComelon' at a friend's house, the then-3-year-old was instantly mesmerized. 11 Hillian instead opts to watch shows like 'Arthur.' Stephen Yang 'She kept asking me if she could watch it,' she said. 'It has gotten so bad that now, every time I see the show pop up on Netflix, I put a thumbs-down next to it.' These moms aren't alone. Online, parents have compared the program to 'crack' for kids, showing 'CoComelon meltdowns' when they turn off the show. 'Once you have a taste of the COCO, it's hard to break the addiction,' one dad wrote. The Post has reached out for comment from Moonbug Entertainment, which in 2020 acquired the program, created by commercial director Jay Jeon and his wife in 2006. As these flashy, sometimes overwhelming shows for kids become the norm, moms like Isler and Hillian and hordes of families across the country are vocal with their complaints about 'CoComelon' and increasingly opting out of new programming — instead turning to relatively low-tech, retro kiddie fare like the 1980s-era 'Care Bears,' or Y2K favorites like PBS' 'Barney & Friends.' 11 'It's too fast-paced, it's too aggressive and I don't like how big their eyes are. It's scary,' mom Shani Hillian said. ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection 11 Parents are instead looking back at 'wholesome old shows like 'The Berenstain Bears' (top left), 'Barney & Friends' (bottom left) and 'Care Bears' (right). Why it helps to dial it down Concerned parents aren't just showing their age with their dislike of the new Saturday morning routine, experts say. Unlike cartoons in the past, some of today's animated series do emphasize excessively loud music and bright flashing lights instead of a slower storyline with a solid narrative, like 'Arthur' or 'The Magic School Bus.' According to Kathryn Smerling, Ph.D., a family therapy professional on the Upper East Side and author of the new book, 'Learning to Play Again: Rediscovering Our Early Selves to Become Better Adults,' the modern offerings can have negative consequences — long after the viewing sessions end. 11 Kathryn Smerling, Ph.D., a family therapy professional on the Upper East Side, said shows like 'CoComelon' have long-lasting effects on children, including sleep and behavioral problems. Lisa Berg 'Instead of having kids slow down, these cartoons jerk them up, making it hard for kids to concentrate and and sleep,' the pro explained. 'The best of the old-school shows engender conversation, while many of the new shows don't emphasize that,' Smerling said. 'They're a lot of noise.' Midtowner Tracy Caliendo agrees. The mom of five, who shares her life on her Instagram account, @almosttripletsnyc, said it's been a goal of hers to 'focus on less stimulation' for her 7-year-old triplet daughters and two sons, ages 6 and 18. 11 NYC mom-of-five Tracey Caliendo said she's focusing on shows with 'less stimulation' for her kids. She's pictured here with kids Piper, 7; Presley, 7; Dylan, 6; Peter Pasetsky, 48; and Harlow, 7. Stephen Yang 'All of these new shows are designed with fast-paced editing and loud effects, which can be so overwhelming,' she said. Caliendo, also the author of family travel guidebook 'ABC's in NYC,' prefers her kids watch vintage 'Charlie Brown' and the like, rather than anything new. 'We want our kids to use their imaginations and let their minds be creative,' she explained. 'The Peanuts gang offers heartwarming stories with timeless themes of friendship and acceptance.' 11 Caliendo said her kids now watch 'Charlie Brown' instead of overstimulating shows. Stephen Yang 11 Her family also taps into their creative side instead of watching TV, doing art projects together. Stephen Yang Weary parents and caregivers reaching deep into the cartoon archives say the older fare not only teaches valuable lessons — it's an easy way to bond with the children, too. 'As a '90s kid, I'm a little biased, but TV shows were just so good back then,' Isler said wistfully. 'Most of the time, they had good messages for kids. My kids love 'Bear in the Big Blue House,' and honestly, I do, too. It's so calming and pure.' Introducing your kids to your favorite shows instead of watching what's trending can be a real 'attachment moment,' Smerling explained. 11 Hillian and many other parents are looking backward at retro shows with good messages to entertain their kids. Stephen Yang 'A patient recently told me that he and his daughter are watching the 'Berenstain Bears' together,' said the pro of the animated TV series that ran in the early aughts. 'This can be a chance to cuddle with your child and say, 'I remember when I watched this with your grandma.' It can be a beautiful, multigenerational connection.'
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Daniel Penny has meet-cute at NYC bodega while picking out flowers: ‘This is the perfect couple'
He's a hero – and a heartthrob. Daniel Penny had his own meet-cute at a Manhattan bodega last week, according to a photo of him grinning alongside brunette bombshell Aubrey Strobel, a Big Apple-based filmmaker and podcast host. Strobel, 32, ran into Penny, 26, while he was picking out flowers outside the shop on Jan. 29, she told The Post. 'I was leaving the gym and was walking on the street, and I saw a guy that looked like Daniel Penny – you know, he has that very unique look,' she said. 'I said, 'I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry for everything you had to go through, and I also wanted to thank you for being brave and standing up for other New Yorkers when you didn't have to do that,'' the 'Aubservation' podcast host recalled. Penny was acquitted on charges of criminally negligent homicide on Dec. 9 in the subway chokehold death of Jordan Neely. 'He was like, 'Thank you so much,' in a really humble way, almost self-deprecating – he was just really kind, really warm,' Strobel said. They spent a few minutes talking about their neighborhood, she said. Strobel snapped a selfie with Penny, then posted it on her X profile alongside the caption, 'new york just feels safe nowadays.' As of Friday, the post had amassed a whopping 7.2 million views and over 2,000 comments. 'A lot of people on X think we're getting married now, because the picture does look a little romantic with him holding the flowers,' Strobel said with a laugh. 'People have been like, 'Gosh, this is the perfect couple, blah blah blah' — but I don't know if he has a girlfriend, or who he was even buying the flowers for. 'I'm just happy to be friends with him,' Strobel said. Penny's lawyers didn't respond to a request for comment. Earlier this week, the Marine vet landed a job at powerhouse Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. He will work in Manhattan on its American Dynamism arm, bolstering the firm's relationships with the Department of Defense and public safety sector, according to a memo from partner David Ulevitch. 'I believe, as I know many of you do, that Daniel acted with courage in a tough situation. He was acquitted of all charges. Beyond that, it has always been our policy to evaluate the entire person and not judge them for the worst moment in their entire life, he wrote in the internal statement obtained by the Free Press.
