Having been on several similar tours in various parts of the city before, I'd promised myself on this visit to take a trip around the Village. Fuelled no doubt by having an interest in the Counterculture and music, as well as a love of NYC in general. The day of my visit was also my birthday and with glorious weather I had high hopes. I guess the tour's 'X-Factor' was going to be our guide......
We weren't disappointed. Our guide for the few hours was Steve. Steve arrived 45 years ago, from Brooklyn I think, and never departed. Consequently Steve knows 'stuff'..... not just guide book stuff, but 'local stuff'. Steve is such a well-known figure that people call him from across the street...... just like in the movies!! His knowledge of all the nooks and crannies, local characters, architecture, history and events is just encyclopaedic.
Steve's background is in the music clubs which, of course, made things even more relevant to my own reason for being there. He has a Chaka Khan story .... I won't spill the beans .... but it's a proper romantic one.
It was fantastic and I could have easily soaked up more time just walking and listening (never did get to ask Steve about The Knitting Factory), however, all good things must come to an end and this ended with a chorus of 'Happy Birthday' (to me) in 6th Avenue.
I cannot recommend Steve and this tour highly enough - hopefully will be returning in two or three years and may well look it up again.