Do you remember late 1960s New York?

Question

I just set a music trivia question here on Y!A about the famous 1967 Velvet Underground song 'Waiting For The Man', which, of course, references 'Lexington 125'.

I added: 'PS: If you're from New York, please feel free to settle once and for all whether this is in Harlem or Manhattan!' because there's a debate on this at:

http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2...

Can anyone shed light on this?

Even better, does anyone know the approximate location where Mr Reed did his little 'transactions' (based on fact, apparently?) What was the area like then? What's it like now?

I live about 9,000 miles away from NY, so I look forward to 'seeing through your eyes'...many thanks : )

I realise that Harlem is 'technically' in Manhattan, but what do you New Yorkers regard 'Lexington 125' as?

Answer 1

Harlem is in Manhattan, on the upper west side (North & west of Central Park). Lexington Ave Runs No/So. on the East side. 125th St runs E/W & intersects Lex in what was then & still is known as "Spanish Harlem." In the '60's almost all the population of Spanish Harlem was Puerto Rican. Today, its more eclectic: Puerto Rican; Dominican; Central American, etc., but still overwhelmingly Latino. It is very densly populated; entirely working class residing in shoulder to shoulder apartment blocks of various heights, mostly with small, local businesses on the ground floors. 125th St & Lexington Ave. are both major thoroughfares, so that intersection is now probably a major retail commercial center. I've probably passed thru it a number of times, but frankly I have no particular recollection of that intersection.

Answer 2

I remember it vaguely since I was only a baby, growing up about 6 miles downtown from Harlem.

Answer 3

If you can remember new york in the 60's, YOU WEREN'T THERE!!

Ask any self respecting hippy of the day.

So - You werent there, obviously....

Answer 4

No, wasn't born

Answer 5

sorry... missed it by about 15 years.....