If you were involved in the leather scene here in New York City during the 1970s through 2000’s, you probably ran across the fetish designs of my late partner, Guy Dolen. His accessories and clothing appeared all over, from Drum Magazine to IML to the Mineshaft. His nickel silver jockstrap was a staple at several leather shops around town and turned up in several contests. If you saw him out at the bar, he was a friendly, creatively dressed man with the old-fashioned manners he acquired as a child in 1930s rural Texas. I met Guy in March 1994 at [...]
1984 Roxy NYC World Breakdance Championship Swatch Keith Haring T-Shirt
The Roxy nightclub in New York City founded in 1978 as a roller skating rink, roller disco by Steve Bauman, Richard Newhouse, and Steve Greenberg. The Roxy was located at 515 West 18th Street in the Chelsea section of Manhattan. During the late 1970′s thru the mid 1980′s, The Roxy housed many different theme nights. In that time, The Roxy hosted a party for the 1980 U.S.A. Olympic gold medal Ice Hockey winners. By 1981 the format of the club was changing from a roller skating rink/roller disco and catering more to the Hip Hop music that was taking hold [...]
Memories of a Time Long Gone
It appears that there are just a hand full of people who remembers that magnificent time back in the 80s. Though the neighborhood looks the same. Names of places have changed. Equus is now I-Candy. The Kesmon Hotel is now the Alexander Inn,Key West is closed and my favorite place of all Kurtz is long gone. Going to Cheap Art cafe after the clubs closed on 12th Street and watching all the goings on while eating your meal. Okay the place wasn’t that clean but the action outside was a show in its own! It was a place to go [...]
Nostalgic Wednesdays the Spike NYC 4th Anniversary Pinback
From the BitG vault we have for your eyes to savor an authentic Spike NYC fourth Anniversary button dating back to 1976. This pin comes to us from the estate of Guy Owen Dolen and donated to BackintheGays by Chris Riley. Thank you Spike 4th anniversary pin.
The Spike nYc Employee Pin Made by Guy Owen Dolen RIP 1929-2010
Guy Owen Dolen (1929-2010) was an artist and designer of jewelry and fetish wear whose creations were influential in the NYC leather community from the 1960s to the 2000s. His designs were seen in fashion magazines as well as national fetish publications. A fixture at leather fetish markets and street festivals like Folsom Street East, he worked in nickel, silver, and leather. Guy’s tribal and Gothic/industrial style are continued by his partner and soul mate Chris Riley. Here we have a perfect example of his works. This is a pin that was created by Guy for the employees of the [...]
1994 Original L.U.R.E. Leather Bar Business Card
Contributed to backinthegays is this original L.U.R.E. nYc business card from the opening back in 1994 by Victor. Thank you We are in process of recording and documenting Victor’s story growing up gay in nYc, going to the MineShaft, The Eagle‘s Nest, The Spike, his experience going to mortuary school and his influence with his art-work. Victor will also be launching his own website sometime in the summer called embalmingvic666.com a morbid lowbrow fun take on things through the eyes of Victor Holness. So stay tuned.
Levi Leather Bar 1994 Open for Previews
Contributed to back in the gays is an invite from the opening night of The L.U.R.E. Saturday January Twenty Ninth, 1994 9:00pm – 4:00am. This was one of the best leather bars in New york City at the time and we sure do miss it. Tons of good memories and parties were held at the L.U.R.E. . Also remember being turned away on numerous occassions for hiking boots, while watching the guys in leather walk right in with their full drag. AwW the memories… Alot of the times we would have a better time outside than inside or maybe it [...]