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Steve Birnbaum, the creator of The Band Was Here, has learned the art of blending history with the present moment. On his Instagram, he lines up iconic album covers, movie stills, and rare photos of fascinating personalities with the exact locations where they were originally taken. The result is a striking visual time warp that shows how much—or how little—those places have changed.

From music legends like Johnny Cash to cult-favorite actors and pop culture icons, Steve’s work isn’t just about the locations; it’s about the stories tied to them.

More info: Instagram

#1

Nirvana August 28, 1993, Photo By Youri Lenquette

Iconic location photo held side by side with original, featuring legends who made it famous, nature background.

As I was lining up the second image you see of Kurt smiling, a woman named Amelia, probably in her 70’s living in the house in the background, came out and politely asked if I was here to help put away the trash cans of the neighbors…assuming they weren’t home and away on vacation.

Before I could say anything, she looked down at all the images I had laying on the road and said, “Oh, look at David…and Kurt, poor Kurt. Such a nice boy and great smile.”

By the way she said this, especially by calling Dave David, I knew she had known him. She had been living in that house when Dave lived near by and hadn’t moved since then. The day they took these photos, she was living in that house.

We got talking and she told me that she went over to Dave’s house the morning Kurt had died and told Dave about all the news trucks that were lined up in the neighborhood. She may have said she was the one that went over to his house to inform him of Kurt’s death, but I can’t be sure. It was a bit surreal hearing this all and being taken back to that time and place. It quickly put into perspective for me on how real this was, how these were real people, and though it may seem like a long time ago, it really wasn’t. It just all seemed so real.

We chatted more and she shared her concern/issue with touring at such a young age and the effect it probably had on them…”being the biggest band in the world, being pulled in all these directions, and only in your mid 20’s!”

Speaking with people like this never gets lost on me, hearing this all just hit a bit little different. Perhaps because what she said kind of goes along with what Dave said in that 2013 article.

Anyway, Go Karts with Kurt and Dave looked fun!

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I_imagine_even_worse_w***s
Community Member
6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think I've ever seen kurt cobain look truly happy in a photo the way he does in this one.

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    #3

    Green Day Walking Around NYC In 1994 Shortly Before The Release Of Their Third Album Dookie, Photo By Ken Schles

    Side by side shot of an iconic street location with a historical photo held up by Steve Birnbaum.

    Today marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Dookie. I absolutely hate the results I got here and intend on going back to do it right (I took this picture a few years ago actually), but I felt obligated to show some respect to an album that meant so much to me when it was released 30 years ago. Crazy!

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    I_imagine_even_worse_w***s
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Misinformation....dookie was released when I was a teenager. There cannot be 30 ......oh sheeet I'm old!!!!

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    #4

    Johnny Cash At His Cash Cabin, Photo By Andy Earl

    Hand holding a Cash album cover in front of an old barn, highlighting iconic location and legend connection.

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    #5

    Elvis Presley, Signing Autographs For Fans At The Cbs-TV Studio 50 Stage Door In NYC On March 17, 1956, Photo By Alfred Wertheimer

    Iconic location with a historic photo in front, capturing a legendary moment.

    Here he is signing autographs for fans at the CBS-TV Studio 50 stage door in NYC on March 17, 1956. All photos by Alfred Wertheimer I believe.

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    #7

    David Bowie At Radio City Music Hall In February 1973, Photo By Masayoshi Sukita

    Iconic location with a vintage photo of a legend in a patterned outfit held up in an elevator by Steve Birnbaum.

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    #8

    The Doors In Venice Beach 1969, Photo By Henry Diltz

    Photo of a black-and-white image held in front of the location that links iconic locations with legends.

    Here’s what Henry said about these pics back in 2017 on his gram: “Hooray it’s 4/20! I certainly got high with these guys, but we all got high in those days…everyday. Gods ‘erb made a lot of things happen. “ - Henry Diltz

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    #9

    Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, Filmography By Chris Columbus

    Side by side shot of iconic location with a film scene photo by Steve Birnbaum.

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    Kelsie Marx
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m about to turn 44 this year, and I still watch that movie during Christmas. Classic movies never die ☺️!

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    #10

    Guns N’ Roses At Canters Deli On June 12th 1985 Shortly After Slash Joined The Band, Photo By Jack Lue

    A hand holds a photo of iconic legends at Canter's, with a historic restaurant background.

    Canters is always a fun spot to visit while in town even though I’ve tried to get this image before. I’m never happy with my results though. Just doesn’t do Jack’s pic justice. Perhaps his pic is too epic to emulate.

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    Robert Beveridge
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even when his name's part of the band it's hard to remember Tracii Guns was GnR's original guitarist. Slash's imprint was indelible.

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    #11

    1991 Film Boyz N The Hood, Filmography By John Singleton

    Side-by-side photo of iconic location and a group in a car; famous location captured by Steve Birnbaum.

    This is easily in my top 10 films of all time. I felt like I was watching something new, raw and real when I first watched this as a kid. Probably a bit young to have been watching this back in the 90s when I first saw it, but ultimately think it had a positive effect on me.

    These spots are some of my favorite to visit, but I’m never happy with the results.

    Fun fact: The 19 year old John Singleton was a Production Assistant on Pee Wee’s Playhouse where he met Laurence Fishburne who played Cowboy Curtis on the show.

    Shortly after, Singleton sent the script to Fishburne, later staring in Boyz N The Hood as Furious Styles.

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    BarfyCat
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I loved this when it came out. It might be time for a re-watch.

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    #12

    Cyndi Lauper On December 9, 1983 In NYC With The 59th Street Bridge Behind Her, Photo By Ozier Muhammad

    Iconic location with vintage photo overlay, showcasing the legend who made it famous.

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    #13

    Madonna Out On St.Marks Place On February 8, 1983, Photographed By Amy Arbus

    Iconic location with black and white photo overlay of a legendary figure in a coat, held by Steve Birnbaum.

    Here’s what Amy said in a 2012 article with Interview Magazine:

    “Madonna wasn’t famous then. The photo was taken in 1983, at St. Mark’s Place and Second Avenue,” Arbus says. “That was literally the first review of her first big single, which I think was “Holiday.” Nobody knew who she was yet. And she was still using her last name. I’d heard she lived on the floor of her recording studio at the time; that’s gossip. I remembered her from the gym that we both went to, which defies imagination, because I don’t know how either of us was affording a gym membership,” Arbus says. “But she used to sit in the dressing room, naked, for the longest time of any of the other women. Just sitting there, while everyone else changed clothes, because she had the best body!”

    This picture graces the cover of Amy’s book PHOTOGRAPHS FROM ON THE STREET 1980-1990. Below’s quote was taken from a talk/interview between Elizabeth Avedon and Amy about her time as a photographer then:

    “In 1980 when I started working for The Village Voice I didn’t think of myself as an artist, in part, because I was working for a newspaper. I also didn’t consider myself a journalist because I wasn’t covering the news. I was making photographic portraits for a style page called, “On the Street.” My page ran every six weeks with the tagline, “There are eight million fashions in the Naked City and Amy Arbus is going to photograph all of them… a few at a time.” It felt like a tremendous undertaking. After making these images for ten years, I realized that what I had created was a chronicle of a seminal time in New York City’s history.”

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    Sweet_Dee
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    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one is my favorite backstory so far. I want to buy her book!

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    #14

    Bob Dylan At Sheridan Square Park On January 22, 1965, Photo By Fred W. Mcdarrah

    A black and white photo of an iconic location held up against the real site with rainbow flags, by Steve Birnbaum.

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    #15

    Bruce Springsteen Walking On The Sunset Strip In 1975, Los Angeles Ca, Photo By Terry O’neill

    Photograph held at iconic location, showcasing a legendary figure, captured by Steve Birnbaum.

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    #16

    Robert Plant, On Sunset Boulevard In 1975 Proclaiming “I Am A Golden God!” Photo Peter Simon

    Side-by-side photo of iconic location and smiling figure on a balcony, capturing nostalgic urban scenery.

    This iconic moment was taken at the Continental Hyatt House aka “Riot House”, overlooking a large billboard on Sunset Boulevard advertising the Led Zeppelin album Physical Graffiti.

    Apologies for the reposted content, but this is one of my favorite gets ever! I couldn’t miss up on an opportunity to share again.

    As always, thanks to the lovely staff at Andaz West Hollywood for allowing me access to this spot, especially @nilajacash. You guys rock!

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    #18

    John Lennon, Photo By Bob Gruen

    Iconic location photo overlayed with a historical shot in a park setting by Steve Birnbaum.

    Ozzy Osbourne at Strawberry Fields in Central Park in 2010 for the cover and music video of John Lennon’s “How?”

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    Sweet_Dee
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So the title of this should actually be Ozzy Osbourne, not John Lennon...

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    #19

    Mary J. Blige, NYC, 1996, Photo By Kevin Westenberg

    A hand holds a vintage photo of an iconic location, fitting seamlessly with modern surroundings.

    Here’s what Kevin said about this shot on his insta (go follow! @kevinwestenberg)

    “Taken on December 16, 1996. Without knowing it at the time, this album shoot changed so many things for my photo career. Now history, it still gives perspective and in hindsight has become a classic.

    It was a joy to play my small part in the transformation of her image to ‘Queen of Hip Hop Soul’. We can never know in advance the nature of where each project will fit into pop culture history. I can definitely say that with this project, the success of this album would form the next 10 years of photo work worldwide for me. This album became Blige’s first number one on the US Billboard 200 album chart. It is certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for excess of three million copies sold in the US. Moreover, it is her first album where she serves as an executive producer, alongside Steve Stoute, who also shared executive producer credits on the album.”

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    #20

    Blink-182 From The Classic Music Video For “All The Small Things,” Filmography By Marcos Siega

    A person holds a black and white photo at a beach location, capturing iconic scenery from the past.

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    #21

    Bts Pics From The Film Joker, Photo By Michael Szpot

    Steve Birnbaum photo of iconic painted stairs with hand holding an image of a legendary scene at the same location.

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    #22

    Anthony Bourdain At Les Halles Restaurant On Park Avenue In 2001, Photo By Chris Floyd

    Side by side shot of an iconic location with a photo of a legend who made it famous, taken by Steve Birnbaum.

    Here’s what Chris had to say over on his Instagram about the late Bourdain:

    “I photographed Tony about a year after his book ‘Kitchen Confidential’ was published. These were taken at Les Halles on Park Avenue South. I didn’t know much about him. I had assumed that he was going to be some gobby big mouth with a book to sell. BUT.... within 5 minutes of meeting him I realised that this guy was special. He had a warmth and a wit that was overwhelming, similar to when you meet great musicians, he was in tune with the universe. That’s what Tony was like. He projected an aura of wisdom. Food was the door through which he explored the human condition. The act of sitting down with another human being and breaking bread was a holy sepulchre where homo sapiens could gather common cause and unite. Of course, this whole belief system came to fruition with the TV shows he made - ‘No Reservations’ and ‘Parts Unknown’ - but those shows weren’t born in a vacuum. They were made possible by what he had learned from years of working in kitchens and feeding people. The tyranny of brunch was a phrase I first learned from Tony. After that first time I went to Les Halles quite a lot. I never asked for special favours but every time I went there some part of the meal was comped. The food, the booze, the dessert. The waiter would say, “Oh this is from Tony!” I subsequently photographed him 3 or 4 more times. He always greeted me like an old friend, once calling me before we were due to meet at some joint in Chinatown: “Listen, all the good s**t at this place is gone by 12:30, so meet me out front at 11.45 and don’t be late.” A date with Tony was something to relish. The man had a hell of a soul. I miss that.”

    What was once Les Halles is now Chez Francis @chezfrancis_nyc . Thank you to the staff for allowing me access to take these pics.

    Much has changed (renovations) since these pictures were originally taken, but this was the best I could do of what remains.

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    Sweet_Dee
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sad to have lost such a beautiful soul. Even with renovations, nice job on the recreation of the photo.

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    #23

    Sonic Youth Hanging Out On Broadway In NYC, 1983, Photo By Amanda Linn

    Iconic location with a vintage photo held in front, shot by Steve Birnbaum.

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    #24

    The Notorious B.i.g Hanging Around Clinton Hill Brooklyn, Photo By Clarence Davis

    Iconic location with a historic photo by Steve Birnbaum, blending past and present at a famous street corner.

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    #25

    Blink-182 And A Still From Their 1999 Music Video For “What’s My Age Again?” Filmography By Marcos Siega

    "Iconic location with a photo of a famous scene held up in front, outside Melanie Wine Bar."

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    #26

    Oasis, 2000, NYC, Photo By Peter Pakvis

    Side by side shot of iconic location with famous figures, photo by Steve Birnbaum.

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    #27

    Oasis In Coney Island Back In 1995, By Anton Corbijn

    "Iconic locations captured with a photo of legends at Brooklyn Beach boardwalk by Steve Birnbaum."

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    #28

    Elliott Smith, October 1997, Photo By Unknown

    Side by side shot of iconic location and legend, captured by Steve Birnbaum, with a park bench and city buildings.

    I recently came across this image having never seen it before. It’s both haunting and beautiful.

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    #29

    The Strokes, 2001, NYC, Photo By Mark Seliger

    Steve Birnbaum photo of an iconic band held over the same street location, with graffiti and parked cars in the background.

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    #30

    The Cast Of Workaholics, Photo By Adam Newacheck

    A hand holds a photo at a famous location, aligning iconic scene with the real background, showcasing history and change.

    The first season of the show was shot at this house while some of the guys were still living there. They were worried the show would be cancelled and wanted to save money by staying there. Fans would often stop by during that time to hang out.

    The Workaholics g**g have a funny weekly pod @podimportant. If you’re looking for some laughs, I recommend you check it out.

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