Salons, strippers and sexy beach kisses: American street life – in pictures

Whether waitressing in go-go bars or running away with the circus, Meryl Meisler always had her camera to document life on the edge – even if she did get rejected from Studio 54

Main image: ‘They all had a tremendous sense of humour’ … a hair salon in New York. Photograph: Meryl Meisler 1978

  • Reclining in Tree by Goddard Riverside Community Centre, NY, June 1978

    Meryl Meisler’s street photography transports us through the US of the 1970s and 80s. From bustling streets and tranquil suburbs to the legendary nightlife of Studio 54, Meisler’s photographs are a tapestry of social change, cultural diversity and creative expression. Street Walker is a limited edition book curated by Marco Savarese and published by Eyeshot Street Photography. Photographs and words by Meryl Meisler
    Reclining in Tree by Goddard Riverside Community Centre, NY, June 1978Meryl Meisler’s street photography transports us through the vibrant, eclectic streets of 1970s and 80s America. From bustling streets and tranquil suburbs to the legendary nightlife of Studio 54, Meisler’s photographs are a tapestry of social change, cultural diversity and creative expression. Street Walker is a limited edition book curated by Marco Savarese and published by Eyeshot Street Photography. Photographs and words by Meryl Meisler

  • Fixing Car Jacked Up on Beck St, The Bronx, NY, August 1978

    ‘In 1998, I received a Ceta (Comprehensive Employment Training Act) grant to work as a photographer for the American Jewish Congress, to create a photographic archive documenting Jewish New York and trace my family’s roots. My grandparents emigrated from eastern Europe and settled in the Bronx, where I was born. Dad’s hobby was auto mechanics, he was often under our car. So naturally, I photographed this father and son with their car jacked up on Beck Street, near the building where my mom grew up’
    Fixing Car Jacked Up on Beck St, The Bronx, NY, August 1978‘In 1998, I received a Ceta (Comprehensive Employment Training Act) grant to work as a photographer for the American Jewish Congress, to create a photographic archive documenting Jewish New York and trace my family’s roots. My grandparents emigrated from eastern Europe and settled in the Bronx, where I was born. Dad’s hobby was auto mechanics, he was often under our car. So naturally, I photographed this father and son with their car jacked up on Beck Street, near the building where my mom grew up’

  • Rejected From Studio 54 No No (With Judi Jupiter), Studio 54, NY, October 1978

    ‘The Studio 54 doorman usually let Judi Jupiter and me right in. That night, the doorman rejected us. It was no big deal. We hung out for a few minutes, took photos with some other rejects, and then jumped in a cab to check out GG’s Barnum Room and had a fabulous time’
    Rejected From Studio 54 No No (With Judi Jupiter), Studio 54, NY, October 1978‘The Studio 54 doorman usually let Judi Jupiter and me right in. That night, the doorman rejected us. It was no big deal. We hung out for a few minutes, took photos with some other rejects, and then jumped in a cab to check out GG’s Barnum Room and had a fabulous time’

  • Clown Car at the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, NY, April 1977

    ‘Two Cuban film-makers I met at Studio 54 asked if I wanted to collaborate on a story they were pitching to a Spanish magazine about the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus. A big circus fan since childhood, I jumped at the chance. The article was never published, but who cares – it was a three-ring dream come true behind the scenes of The Greatest Show on Earth’
    Clown Car at the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, NY, April 1977‘Two Cuban film-makers I met at Studio 54 asked if I wanted to collaborate on a story they were pitching to a Spanish magazine about the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus. A big circus fan since childhood, I jumped at the chance. The article was never published, but who cares – it was a three-ring dream come true behind the scenes of “The Greatest Show on Earth”’

  • Jive Guy on Williamsburg Subway, Brooklyn, NY March 1978

    ‘After photographing the costumed Chasidic community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, joyfully celebrating Purim (the Jewish holiday often compared to Mardi Gras or Halloween), I got on the subway and saw this guy. The potpourri of diverse people living side by side is among the many reasons I love New York City’
    Jive Guy on Williamsburg Subway, Brooklyn, NY March 1978‘After photographing the costumed Chasidic community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, joyfully celebrating Purim (the Jewish holiday often compared to Mardi Gras or Halloween), I got on the subway and saw this guy. The potpourri of diverse people living side by side is among the many reasons I love New York City’

  • Wild Wild West Kiss, Hurrah, NY, March 1978

    ‘Most discos I went to often had themed parties. This night was “Wild Wild West” at Hurrah, and guests were dressed accordingly. Brassaï’s book The Secret Paris of the 30s often incorporated mirrors. I reflected on Brassaï’s work while photographing my nightlife adventures’
    Wild Wild West Kiss, Hurrah, NY, March 1978‘Most discos I went to often had themed parties. This night was “Wild Wild West” at Hurrah, and guests were dressed accordingly. Brassaï’s book The Secret Paris of the 30s often incorporated mirrors. I reflected on Brassaï’s work while photographing my nightlife adventures’

  • Marion Cleans Our Window, N Massapequa, NY, August 1976

    ‘This is the home I grew up in on Long Island, a suburb of NYC. Marion was the lovely woman who helped keep the house clean’
    Marion Windexes Window, N Massapequa, NY, August 1976‘This is the home I grew up in on Long Island, a suburb of NYC. Marion was the lovely woman who helped keep the house clean’

  • Mom Getting Her Hair Teased at Besame Beauty Salon North Massapequa, NY, June 1976

    ‘My mother Sunny (Sylvia) Meisler’s weekly luxury ritual was going to the beauty parlour. There, she would relax, BS, gossip and laugh with the hairdressers and neighbours while getting her hair and nails done. My future mother-in-law Kathleen O’Brien went to the same salon. Mom and the hairdressers didn’t hesitate when I asked to photograph a day at the salon. They all had a tremendous sense of humour’
    Mom Getting Her Hair Teased at Besame Beauty Salon North Massapequa, NY, June 1976‘My mother Sunny (Sylvia) Meisler’s weekly luxury ritual was going to the beauty parlour. There, she would relax, BS, gossip and laugh with the hairdressers and neighbours while getting her hair and nails done. My future mother-in-law Kathleen O’Brien went to the same salon. Mom and the hairdressers didn’t hesitate when I asked to photograph a day at the salon. They all had a tremendous sense of humour’

  • Toweled Lesbian Kiss between Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines, NY, July 1978

    ‘This is another image I never noticed until looking again through my archives, specifically for street-style photographs for Street Walker. The magic is in the details. While kissing, one woman is wearing a towel on her head and holding a can of Tab while the other has a cigarette in her hand’
    Toweled Lesbian Kiss between Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines, NY, July 1978‘This is another image I never noticed until looking again through my archives, specifically for street-style photographs for Street Walker. The magic is in the details. While kissing, one woman is wearing a towel on her head and holding a can of Tab while the other has a cigarette in her hand’

  • Stacey Walking Down Playmate’s Stairs With Tips in Her Stockings, NY, 1978

    ‘While visiting Judi Jupiter bartending at the go-go bar Playmate, I became interested in the scene and got a part-time job as a hostess (waitress). The dressing room for female employees was in the basement. One of the dancers, Stacey, was coming downstairs to the dressing room with tips in her stockings, and I requested permission to take her photograph’
    Stacey Walking Down Playmate’s Stairs With Tips in Her Stockings, NY, 1978‘While visiting Judi Jupiter bartending at the go-go bar Playmate, I became interested in the scene and got a part-time job as a hostess (waitress). The dressing room for female employees was in the basement. One of the dancers, Stacey, was coming downstairs to the dressing room with tips in her stockings, and I requested permission to take her photograph’

  • A&W Carhop, North of San Francisco, CA, August 1979

    ‘My girlfriend (now wife) Patricia Jean O’Brien and I rented a car and drove up north from San Francisco for the weekend. We stopped for a root beer and snack at an A&W with carhop service. What a sweet treat!’
    A&W Carhop, North of San Francisco, CA, August 1979‘My girlfriend (now wife) Patricia Jean O’Brien and I rented a car and drove up north from San Francisco for the weekend. We stopped for a root beer and snack at an A&W with carhop service. What a sweet treat!’

  • Movies 25¢ Bat Boy, Mardi Gras, NoLA, February 1977

    ‘People of all ages celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans. At the time, the movie theatre signage looked like a souvenir from another era. The painted skyline resembled Gotham City, home of one of my favourite superheroes, Batman. Batboy, illuminated by perfect sunlight and shadow, caught my eye’
    Movies 25¢ Bat Boy, Mardi Gras, NoLA, February 1977‘People of all ages celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans. At the time, the movie theatre signage looked like a souvenir from another era. The painted skyline resembled Gotham City, home of one of my favourite superheroes, Batman. Batboy, illuminated by perfect sunlight and shadow, caught my eye’
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