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Garden of Dreams: Madison Square Garden 125 Years
Photographs by George Kalinsky Introduction by Pete Hamill |
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From Stewart, Tabori and Chang 2004
“If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere!” When Sinatra sang those immortal words from “New York, New York,” he must have had Madison Square Garden in mind. After all, Ol' Blue Eyes played the Garden, as did Judy Garland, John Lennon, and, in the past four decades, every major rock band or rap artist from the Beastie Boys to U2. That lineup doesn't even begin to take into account the all-star roster of athletesMuhammad Ali, Walt Frazier, Patrick Ewing, Carl Lewis, Mark Messier, Wayne Gretzky, and John McEnroe, to name a fewwho have set records there. Since it first opened in 1879, the Garden has been a magnet for fans intent on expressing their passion in person for their favorite performers. Currently home to the New York Knicks, Rangers, and Liberty, it is also the venue for everything from the Westminster Dog Show to the 2004 Republican National Conventionwhich is why it's called “The World's Most Famous Arena.” In Garden of Dreams more than 100 knockout images by longtime Garden photographer George Kalinsky capture all the glorious highlights in the arena's history. From Ali to Sinatra, Garland to Gretzky, Kalinsky has shot the greatest. Adding insight and context to the photos are essays by 30 luminaries who have witnessed or participated in some of these legendary Garden events. The list of contributors includes Billy Crystal, Bill Bradley, Woody Allen, Peggy Fleming, Spike Lee, John McEnroe, Mary Tyler Moore, and Christopher Reeve. Pete Hamill's introduction recounts the Garden's storied past, and reminds readers why MSG evokes such powerful emotions for New York residents and visitors alike. |
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