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| Peter Max poster |
In the late 60's,
The Different Drummer was a popular hippie clothing store/boutique located at 792 Lexington Ave between 61st and 62nd St in NYC (across from the doll hospital), frequented by hippies, rock stars and hip Mets players and broadcasters. My mother would occasionally deposit my two brothers and I there (or their East Village sister-store), to outfit us in the latest in nehru shirts, hippie beads, faux military jackets and bell bottoms. More importantly (to me), they also sold underground comix to fulfill my ZAP comix/R. Crumb fix.
This "far out", "psychedelic", "cosmic 60's" poster was designed for the store in 1968 by the unavoidable artist of the moment, the "king of the dorm rooms", Peter Max (Finkelstein).
But I vastly preferred this 1968 poster, also offered by The Different Drummer...
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| Shit poster |
This large, delightful poster featuring Paul Sigenlaub, one of the owners of the Different Drummer, designed by J. C. Suraes and photographed by Bill English, hung in my Great Neck boyhood bedroom for several years, upsetting, disturbing and confusing frequent adult guests, including my grandmother, our housekeeper Mrs. Sullivan, and various friends and relatives. To all of them, I sincerely apologize.
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SCREWED!
another store poster |
That poster went far beyond the eyes of anyone who would ever actually visit the Different Drummer -- making it the Wall Drugs of the era. Though, come to think of it, I guess Wall Drugs bumperstickers started popping up everywhere about then, too. So it was ALSO the Wall Drugs of the era. No, that doesn't sound right ... never mind ...
ReplyDeleteDar Drew, By any chance do you have images or something from this store? I found a photo on the Web that I could show you. It's a Live Mannequin with leather fringed clothing and in the back at least 4 or 5 posters of the Different Drummer. It's very old so I guess probably it's the store in NY that sold the posters.
ReplyDeleteEd, www.themaxcollector.com
Ed, I'd love to see the photo, thanks.
DeleteDrewings@ptd.net
Hi Ed,
DeleteI am Paul Sigenlaub's daughter (the guy on the photo and one of the owners of the Different Drummer). Unfortunately all their photos from that time were ruined in a fire and I have been trying to find other photos, but haven't been able to.
I would love to see the photo as well. My email is yanna@sigenlaub.com.
man!! I had that "shit" poster on my wall, too! I bought it at a record store here in Pensacola, Florida around '70 or '71. I was about 18. I bought it because it looked like my room mate, Dwight.
ReplyDeleteThe person In the poster was/is one of the owners of The Different Drummer. I've forgotten his name, but he used to date the model "Verisha." I used to occasionally date one of the other owners Eddie Rabkin. If themaxcollector is interested I have some Peter Max silk scarves from that time (70's). Thanks for the memories! Drew, love you work and the blog.
ReplyDeleteSusan.
His name is/was Paul. I used to work there and he was a very cool stoner and a wonderful employer (he dated "Verushka" - look her up, she was stunning). There was a third owner, Todd, who was married to then model/actress Susie Blakely. Todd was a former ass't DA who became a criminal lawyer. When asked why he crossed over to the "dark side", he'd reply that he had more in common with criminals (oops, i meant to say defendants) than "the law". The three of them were very cool, refused to sell out to the chains (they had plenty of offers) and flew their freak flag high. It was a remarkable place to be in the late '60's and early '70's, and then, like the ethereal time in which it was set, it was gone.
ReplyDeleteBilly:
ReplyDeleteYeah: I worked there from 1968 to about 1970... I've actually being trying to reach out to some of the people that I ran with at the time .....
I just got to say though that this wasn't really a hippy haven as most of the previous posters have stated ..... This was a sort of portal to the NY Rock and Roll Sean which was underground at the time...
Actually 2 members of the NY Dolls started out there.....
one of my favorite things was to be able to sing the latest English releases to the customers.....
There were a lot of good times and of course some bad as well...
if there's anyone that remembers these days and would like to reminisce a little. Contact me wrowe@nj.rr.com
Cheers Billy
oh this was just the coolest store. and down the block from Joe Namath Bachelors III. Wish i still had my Superman T Shirt and all the other great hippy gear. ps yes Sylvain Sylvain started out there...
ReplyDeleteI was just looking for some info on the posters and came across your blog. I have both hanging on my wall and the slob was my dad Paul Sigenlaub. Sadly he passed away 2 years ago.
ReplyDeleteHe always had great stories to tell about the Different Drummer days... all their pictures and stuff saved was unfortunately ruined in a fire shortly after they sold the store, so if anyone has pictures from that time I would love to see them.
Thanks -- Yanna (yanna@sigenlaub.com
Drew-
ReplyDeleteFor years and years, this poster hung in our rehearsal space while working on songs for our band, The Immigrants. It sat behind my Gretsch drum-kit.
I tried to be The Different Drummer.
Now I've gone and written a short satire inspired by this same poster, but I looked and looked and could not find it anywhere...
Unfortunately, all I could find was a photo of my brother Bill holding his Rickenbacker guitar - in the background you can see The Different Drummer Poster. See http://www.theimmigrants.com >gallery
Drew, can I have permission to download this image of The Different Drummer for my sure-to-be-rejected-satire to TNY?
Rodney Dangerfield's Tombstone: There goes The Neighborhood!
Thanks for posting this memorable image!
Dan Sheridan
Writer/inept drummer The Immigrants.
Drew-
ReplyDeleteFor years and years, this poster hung in our rehearsal space while working on songs for our band, The Immigrants. It sat behind my Gretsch drum-kit.
I tried to be The Different Drummer.
Now I've gone and written a short satire inspired by this same poster, but I looked and looked and could not find it anywhere...
Unfortunately, all I could find was a photo of my brother Bill holding his Rickenbacker guitar - in the background you can see The Different Drummer Poster. See http://www.theimmigrants.com >gallery
Drew, can I have permission to download this image of The Different Drummer for my sure-to-be-rejected-satire to TNY?
Rodney Dangerfield's Tombstone: There goes The Neighborhood!
Thanks for posting this memorable image!
Dan Sheridan
Writer/inept drummer The Immigrants.
yes, you certainly have permission.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, many thanks Drew!
ReplyDeleteI had the honor of meeting Sid Caesar long ago working at Nathan's on Central Ave in Yonkers - best job I ever had... best benefit - free hot dogs each night. What the hey!
I remember you Billy Rowe, I worked there around 1970-71. Are you in touch with anyone else like Chris or Phil Saks? Contact me on Facebook
ReplyDeleteMy name is Phil Sachs and I was TDD store manager along with Chris Yang. I have lived in Colrado since 1980 after leaving NYC. I am in touch with Eddie Rabkin, living in Santa Fe and importing indigenous bark wall coverings from craftspersons in Mexico. Todd Merer, another owner now lives in Puerto Rico writing fiction influence by career as a defense lawyer. Paul Sigenlaub passed way
DeleteI have a copy of the "same old shit" poster and am ready to sell it. It has old tape marks on the corners and a taped tear on top, otherwise in good condition. Anyone know what its worth, or want it ?
ReplyDeleteEmail musicandy@hotmail.com
DeleteJust for shits and giggles I looked up "tired of the same old shit" poster and found this blog. Well I'm the person who came up with the idea and did the photo
ReplyDeleteHi William, any additional info you can offer/photos, etc would be appreciated, including your full name so I can give you proper credit (if you'd like)--Drew
ReplyDeleteI just happened to remember the "Tired of the same old shit" poster and found this. My father had an architectural office around the corner from the store, on 59th, and he would bring me there for clothes and other stuff. I just had to have that poster, which I too had in my bedroom for years. I would have kept it but it went missing some years later during a move. Fun, simpler times...
ReplyDeleteI just moved a wardrobe out of my old bedroom and found a rolled up Different Drummer Peter Max poster behind it. Definitely framing it!
ReplyDeleteI loved the store near Bloomingdales! It had floor to high ceilinged shelving full of psychedelic colored and wild patterned bell bottoms.
ReplyDeleteWow I love all these posters and all of this information I always wanted to be happy but I was too young I came to New York in the 80s but as a little kid growing up in Minnesota I was fascinated by hippie culture I bought this at comic books that I could and I love Peter Max does anybody have any clothing or posters from the store that they want to sell if so please get in touch with me thank y
ReplyDeleteHis D.D. posters often show up on eBay.
ReplyDeleteHa! I'm stunned to see so much info on this store. I bought a vintage British Bobbie's cape in the store in early 1969. Think it was $16. I still have it. It was my best winter coat for many years.
ReplyDeleteI miss creative advertising like this!
ReplyDelete