Anya Phillips

Anya Phillips...
Oh my, you're in deep!
Good for you.
I've got lots of stories about the legendary Anya Phillips. It's gonna take me a minute though. This is a big one.

This is the part where you hear brass bands and trumpets blaring! Daddy, do you want to start? S'tan? I don't even know where to begin. I will post photos here soon.

LENGENDARY DIVA!

We have to get Debbie on-line just for this topic. She has a story or two.

Glamnerd, it's funny you mention Debbie(I love her more than you can possibly imagine) because when I read Making Tracks she talked about Anya and I became interested in her immediately.
Daddy and Bobby, I have all the time in the cyberworld to wait for these goodies!

Shhh...I'm trying to listen to reason...

Anya died of cancer very early on, so I never really got to know her well. However, when I moved into Needles Jones' loft on the Bowery in 1983, I discovered several boxes of her clothing and accessories tucked in a corner. Since Anya was about a size 2, I had absolutely no use for them. (If I knew then...) The loft had previously been the residence of a great many rock legends including Tuxedo Moon and contained many similar forgotten or "stored" items. And since neither Needles nor I felt it was a priority to pay the tiny rent on the space, all of those historic items were left behind upon eviction.
Hey Needles, what was the address of that loft? I remember that it was next door to the Salvation Army Shelter, and that we would run downstairs to get the free box lunches they gave out.

I remember going to see Anya in the hospital when she was dying. She was lying in bed planning her new fashion collection. "Sadistic Nurses". She had books of her fashion sketches. S&M nurses, rubber hoses and tubes, impliments of medical torture etc. She was living it, even when she died. I'm always so glad when people remember her because she died before she became famous. The mark she helped inflict on the world remains (PUNK) but she will never get the credit she deserves. Oh well, that's life.

I'm sooo glad this is getting responses. Please tell me more. I bought a book for $40 just because there was a pic or two of her that I'd never seen before. In the photo archives at BBGUN magazine they have a picture of her that I really love.I was not around then but I've always been so fascinated with her. Someone should write a book about her so the world can know how ahead of her time she was.Please, keep the stories flowing!!!

Shhh...I'm trying to listen to reason...

Chris Stein has Anya's ashes under his bed.
At least that's what he told me.

Daddy, that is sooo bizarre but I would not be surprised. I thought I'd read that Chris was very into voodoo and various other religions. Please people keep the stories flowing,I really appreciate these.

Shhh...I'm trying to listen to reason...

I first met Anya in 1976 or 77 through Diego Cortez (of Guernica fame)..there were some wild moments, or nights with Jimmy Santos...I returned to NYC in 1980 and reconnected with Anya during many afternoons (it was our morning) at her apartment...I think...going there with Vickie Schrott..Trixie and Sheila from the Screamers would be there...I remeber some middle aged man performing at Anya's command..I had the impression he was a senator...maybe I am just romanticizing the moment...she was humiliating him and making him clean the bathroom..we were drinking strong coffee..another time she told me she made James shave his whole body.(Inspiring)..At some point all her stuff ended up at my loft...The Eskimo Lounge.
James came by to get some of the things...unlike Hattie I did my best to squeeze into I size two...I thought the strecthed and shreding seams were an new accesory...I went to the hospital once...but was unable to handle it and quickly ran out to get another bag..
Hattie I think the address was 317..I heard the amazingly well funded Jane Holzer moved in.

Well, that figures.

Really enjoying reading this... although I have no idea who Anya was/is. Can you find photos and give more of an Idiot Guide to Anya for us boys in da Bubble...
Great stories.. there's defo a book .. on an a movie...

Anna Nicole you can see a pic at the gallery at http://www.bbgun.org/. There are also pics of her in the book Please Kill Me and I think there are some in Making Tracks the Blondie book. I also have a huge book called Punk, it's green with Sid on the cover and they show a pic from The Mudd Club era.Diva indeed!
I really do appreciate all the stories-keep em flowing.

Shhh...I'm trying to listen to reason...

I couldn't help but notice the fabulous pictures you've been posting in other forums. You mentioned maybe posting some pictures of Anya and if it is possible I know we would all enjoy.
Again thank you all for your stories
Sorry, I let my emoticons get to me.

Shhh...I'm trying to listen to reason...

Fear not child, they's a'comming. I have an eye out for Anya. I'll keep looking.
Patience my lamb.

I have some too. Just have to find them.

bobby and daddy thank you sooo much.On a related note Blondie is on Late Night With Carson Daly tonight

Shhh...I'm trying to listen to reason...

This topic was down too far, so that must mean there is a story in wait? Please, do share.

Anya was exceedingly glamourous, but it was partly concocted from infamous "heroin glamour" and so has a whiff of horror. The reason no-one who really knew her is posting anything is:
1) there was a tragedy attached to her, inappropriate for bandying around a public board --
2) because her life was so entrenched in the parallel history of heroin in the NYC Punk underground that quite a few too many famous folk would get tarred with the brush they long ago put back into the paintbox.

The story of NYC in the 70s and 80s, the heroin demon, and Anya is a novel that has yet to be written; possibly to be taken on fully by someone who hasn't been born yet. She lives in one of my unpublished tomes as one of downtown's premier dealers of Chinese white. How's that for starters. Happy now.

So sucinctly put Miss S'tan.

Anya was a double edged sword. Sharp and beautiful but tragic and self loathing.

There has never been another like her.

I know I sound bitter and pissed off but I don't want her to be dead goddammit. I want her here as a member of my Crazy n' Glamourous Old Dame Club. Fuck the bloodie heroin demon. Fuck tragic drug glamour too! She should be here having a Pink Ripper cocktail with Miss Martha and me and planning her next eye-lift.

I know hons..it is trully our beast of burden..our lives full of drug drama and lost friends. It isn't ever easy but it stands as a reminder to the rest of us and to the upcoming children to learn from the mistakes of our fore fathers and mothers. Anya would have loved being alive at this time. She was born into the wrong generation. But let's keep her very best memories alives with the tales of her true beauty and wonder. Forget the rest of it, it serves us not. And besides I'm still here with you honey in the Crazy n' Glamourous Old Dame Club. Of which you are most surely the president.

The evil old facts of the evil old days DO serve us. In fact, remembering the rot behind the glamour is of intensest moral value. That's part of holding membership in the CGODC : we look at the wrinkles and are okay with every one of them. Glossing over is what serves us not. Writing a puff piece is different from inscribing history.

PS: I am not the President. Mother Flawless is. You & Merly are Archbishops. Miss Martha is Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Elbow-Length Gloves. I'm CIA: Cranky Intelligence Agency.

Last night Maripol had a show of her and Edo's poloroids. Celebrating 30 years in New York.

(Edo was a very hot photographer in the 70's & 80's -had a bad heroin problem but has since recovered. Maripol was/is a stylist -Grace Jones, Blondie, the early Madonna stuff -rubber bracelets, crucifixes etc. Edo & Maripol shot the Blondie "Parallel Lines" lp. They shot my first record "Jam Hot" -the one with Chi Chi on the trapeez from G.G. Barnum's. Maripol styled my "New York 88" show (in 1983). Maripol and Edo did the movie "Downtown '81".)

The pictures amazing. So beautiful. Everyone looked like children. (I guess we were). Anyway, there were alot of shots of Anya. I kind of forgot what she looked like. So beautiful.

Maripol wants us to do a party in the fall with these photos. I'll keep you informed.

So who do you have to blow to find out about these parties. *Sniff*

Maripol unfortunately.
Next time you can do her.

But I did her in 1981.
Well, guess she needs a replay.

(Screaming) BODY DOUBLE!

Hey! dont know if anyones still reading this, but i was doing some research on Anya and found this picture! enjoy xanya

Wow Bobby Grossman!

http://www.janedoeradio.com/bobbyg01exhibit.html

Do you know how long we've been looking for stuff on Teri Toye?

http://www.janedoeradio.com/bobbyg14.html

Thank you!

As I get closer to the completion of editing my 30 year old archives on NYC nightlife, I am finding amazing things. Coming soon..early Anya Phillips, Bobby Grossman, Teri Toye, Terrence Sellers, Duncan Hannah, Lance Loud, Andy, too many to mention. I have about five new books ready to go. And to think they didn't even ask me for pictures for that East Village show. Why I oughta...

DAMN!
What a gorgeous website!
Bobby Grossman's pictures are amazing.
Thanks S'tan.

Daddy, that wasn't my doing it was the link from hamsterpants.

I was feeling very nostalgic after looking at all that... esp. the East Village scene so I went down to walk around and daydream, and ran right into Maripol. Egads! There we were, staring at that new glass blob on Astor Place wondering who in hell could/would live there. The big old iron cube scultpure has not been replaced and we stared at the empty ragged spot there. She goes, "Zeez mozzefockers are just tearing New York apart!"

The opening for a Jean Michel Basquiat retrospective was last night at the Brooklyn Museum. Neither of us went! I wonder how it looks... The BM is going to screen Downtown 81 in May, she said...

(yeah I got all this info without havin' to blow the bitch again!)

Bobby we are so looking forward to new books!

xxxooo LOVE!

Well Thanks for listing those Links!!!! Great pics!!! I miss Joey Ramone . I heard some rumors of cbgb's closing(not re-newing new $$$$ e. village lease).

Yeah, CBGB is closing. A sad day for New York.

I didn't go to the Jean Michel opening either. You can only do so much.

Wow, you got off easy Stan. Maripol must have had alot on her mind to let you off the hook like that. As far as that building, I like it. I must really be out of touch with the Motherboards Zeitgeist. First The Gates, now the Astor Place glass building. What's wrong with me? I think it looks cool.
I guess it's very "Anya" of me. I remember when everybody was trying to "Out Punk" each other (as in who could be more Punk) and she won by embracing Disco! The result was The Mudd Club. A Punk Club with velvet ropes outside and a mirror ball, DJ and dancefloor inside. The DJs played punk records as opposed to live bands like CBGBs and Max's (except me, I actually played and truly loved Disco). The punks were so confused, "Isn't this what we are supposed to hate? I don't get it". Then The Contortions turned into James White And The Blacks -a Disco Band! I loved it. One night I was threatened with a bottle for playing "Nigger Music"! It's funny now because "The Nigger" on the turntable was Michael Jackson. Hardly N.W.A. (Niggers With Attitude)

This is from Emily xyz.
I'm just moving it into the Anya topic.


hey everyone -- I just came across this thread from 2004 re: Anya Phillips. You guys all look so young, I can't believe you knew her!

Anyway: I've been interviewing the former girlfriend of Johnny Ramone, Cynthia Whitney, known as Roxy, who was a friend/roommate/girlfriend of Anya's in the mid-1970s. Like Anya, she was also an exotic dancer. Just wondering if anyone remembers this girl Roxy. I would also really appreciate any details of Anya's life that any of you can provide, such as where she was born/raised, anything about her family or her life in New York, any anecdotes about her, etc. Thanks and it's great to be here!

BTW, has anyone been in that John Varvatos store that used to be CBGB? Wow. It's really black! love, emily xyz

Thurston Moore and Byron Coley's book piqued my interest in Anya, and I found this site by searching for more info on her. Sadly, some of the links are no longer working - janedoeradio - but I'd love to hear more about her, if you would indulge me.... thx

In addition to all the good details above, posted by those who actually knew her personally, here is a little tidbit I came across. Might be of interest to you as you piece together her story: http://www.kristianhoffman.com/tadamong-history.htm

Thank you Oberallgäu for your post. Interesting read. She intrigues me, wish I had been around for that scene. She must have been something.... I found a few pix on Flickr. Three of them - here is one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/obsidian/47856599/ Thanks again.

Nice find, those pix (thank god for the Internet I say). In addition to those nice ones of Anya, I like the ones of the guy in the bathtub--check out that apartment. Makes me a little wistful for those old kinds of places with the uneven floors and bathtubs in the kitchens.