While Greenwich Village is now overpopulated by NYU students seeking out the best study spots, it has historically been a haven for starving artists and struggling musicians. The neighborhood holds a storied history of famous names, all who walked the same streets we do in search of inspiration. 

Village Vanguard

Bob Dylan’s performances at venues like the Vanguard, the Gaslight Cafe and Cafe Wha? served as the foundation for his position in the rise of folk. His performances in the Village were boisterous and loud cheers often drew complaints from neighbors, thus birthing the tradition of snapping instead of applause. The Vanguard still hosts jazz showcases and other acts.

Cherry Lane Theatre

Iconic names like Barbra Streisand and Jimi Hendrix also started in the Village with smaller gigs and venues before working their way up to fame. Streisand began in 1957 when she took a small job at the Cherry Lane Theatre moving sets and painting scenery, before later performing at spots like the Vanguard and The Lion. It continues to serve as the city’s longest running off-Broadway theater.

The Bon Soir

Streisand’s originally planned debut album, “Live at the Bon Soir” was recorded at the eponymous club in 1962, before being scrapped in favor of a studio recording. While Streisand eventually moved uptown with her husband Elliott Gould, her most recent Village performance was back at the Vanguard in 2009. Many consider the closing of Bon Soir to be the end of Greenwich Village’s cabaret era. 

Washington Square Hotel

Upon arriving in New York City, Dylan originally stayed at Hotel Earle — now the Washington Square Hotel — where many down-and-out musicians frequented at the time. Friend, girlfriend and maybe enemy, Joan Baez, mentioned the hotel in her bittersweet love song about Dylan, “Diamonds and Rust,” describing it as “that crummy hotel over Washington Square.” Although known as crummy back then, it’s now known for the star-studded clientele. Michelle Phillips and John Phillips, members of the band “The Mamas & the Papas,” wrote the iconic “California Dreamin’” in one of the hotel rooms. Other guests include Joni Mitchell, Dee Dee Ramone, Chuck Barry and Albert King.

Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park was a common source of inspiration for local artists. James Taylor used to play there when he was sad, John Coltrane practiced the saxophone and countless other classicists perfected their craft, all while the arch framed their view. 

Electric Lady Studios

Hendrix’s enduring legacy lives on with Electric Lady Studios, the first artist-owned studio after he renovated the building from a nightclub into a recording space. Despite different financial hardships, it’s now known mostly as the background of Taylor Swift’s paparazzi photos. Hendrix was famously difficult to record with, preferring specific conditions and a near perfect environment. Now, it’s a weird psychedelic lair of neon lights and vintage rugs — attributed to records from Dylan, Kiss, Led Zeppelin, John Lennon, Patti Smith, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, AC/DC and Daft Punk. Not only is a stretch of West Eighth Street named after him, Jimi Hendrix Way, but it’s allegedly haunted by Hendrix’s ghost. 

The Hotel Chelsea

Janis Joplin often stayed at the Hotel Chelsea when visiting, even having a one-night stand with Leonard Cohen after bumping into him in the elevator — where the encounter that inspired “Chelsea Hotel No. 2” was born. While her influence on the Village was brief, she left her mark nonetheless. Joplin was known as a party girl, bouncing around the city with a rebellious streak and rock persona. Joplin lived on West 10th Street briefly before her passing, and would perform at local bars and restaurants in the height of her fame for fun.

105 Bank St.

John Lennon famously lived at 105 Bank St. with Yoko Ono before being robbed, which pushed them to move to the Dakota. They wanted to be able to explore the city unnoticed, something they weren’t able to do at their first residence at the St. Regis New York. Lennon once hid from immigration services in the apartment, which wasn’t searched due to the unassuming nature of the townhouse. 

“I should have been born in the Village,” Lennon told Rolling Stone. “That’s where I belong.”

NYU

Visuals of the Village populated the music video landscape in the ’80s, setting the tone and background for the fictional escapades of notable artists. The Beastie Boys’ music video for “Hold It Now, Hit It” features footage from the NYU-sourced developments of Silver Towers. The university has also fostered musical talent across programs. In 2016, a video of Pharrell Williams praising then-Clive Davis student Maggie Rogers’ song “Alaska” made its rounds on the internet, raising attention to the musical imprint provided by the university itself. Alumni like Donald Glover and Idina Menzel are now better known for garnering Grammys and Tonys, respectively. Lady Gaga attended Tisch School of the Arts for two years, studying music before dropping out to pursue a career in the arts full time. 

The Village has made its mark behind the scenes, too. Producer of “Back to Black” and “Uptown Funk” fame Mark Ronson found his start DJing in the Village in the ’90s. Alan Menken, best known for composing the scores of Disney classics like “Beauty and the Beast” and “Hercules” as well as the stage musical “Little Shop of Horrors,” attended NYU’s historical Bronx campus He graduated from the University College of Arts and Science in 1972, later earning a subsequent honorary degree from the university in 2000.

Contact Julia Diorio and Eleanor Jacobs at [email protected].