47 Years Later I Still Love You Jim Jocoy
Interview By: Ginger Coyote
Jimmy was one of the first people to help me start Punk Globe 47 years ago he submitted some of his fabulous photos along with helping with the layout at my Bush Street apartment in San Francisco.
Seeing him on Instagram only inspired me to include an interview with him on the 47th Anniversary issue I am elated he remembered the message ai wrote on the Mabuhay Gardens entrance Please enjoy my interview with Jimmy Jocoy
Punk Globe: Thank you for the interview Jimmy This month is the Anniversary issue. You were there in the beginning with your killer photos. What are your memories from 47 years ago?
Jimmy: Thank you, Ginger! Congratulations to your magazine Punk Globe! I remember the very beginnings of it when it was printed by a Xerox machine.
Punk Globe: Tell the readers about your fabulous book ‘We’re Desperate.’
Jimmy: We’re Desperate was published in 2002 by PowerHouse Books. Thurston Moore saw a homemade color Xerox book I made and showed it to them. I sent them my collection of 35mm color slides and some Polaroids and they did the rest
Punk Globe: Tell us how you got Thurston Moore involved with’ We’re Desperate’ Were you close friends with him? I remember meeting Thurston with Dave Markey years ago.
Jimmy: I was introduced to Thurston by photographer Cynthia Connolly. I don’t remember meeting Dave Markey.
Punk Globe: I noticed on Amazon that ‘We’re Desperate’ has a high price tag. Any thoughts on that?
Jimmy: The book is out of print and maybe that’s the reason the price keeps going up. Here are a few of the photos from the book.
Punk Globe: Who were your early inspirations for photography?
Jimmy: My early inspirations were images in rock and roll, fashion, and art magazines. Many photographers and artists have inspired me when I started taking pictures; Peter Beard, Diane Arbus, Andy Warhol, Richard Avedon, Jimmy DeSana, and many others.
Punk Globe: Did you remain in the Bay Area? After contacting you about running into our old pal Rico at a restaurant in the middle of North California you seemed to disappear why was that?
Jimmy: I’ve lived in the SF Bay Area since 1968. I’ve lived in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, and Berkeley during those years. I moved to Oakland five years ago.
I disappeared from social media years ago. I just returned to Instagram about a month ago. I go out often, especially after the pandemic. Recent music shows include the John Doe trio at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, and Silversun Pickups at the Regency Ballroom. The last performance I went to was The Avengers and the Damned also at the Regency Ballroom. I’m looking forward to the Kid Congo Powers concert and have already bought tickets for Pulp.
Punk Globe: It was quite a surprise to get your message on Instagram. You are reconnecting with lots of folks.
Jimmy: Yes! Returning to Instagram and posting my photos has been much fun. I’ve been in touch with so many wonderful friends. I finally crawled out of my Covid cave and have been keeping very busy.
Punk Globe: What is in store for the future for Jimmy Jocoy?
Jimmy: The biggest thing that is happening, as far as my photography is concerned is that I’ve been contacted by SFMOMA to be in a group photo show that is supposed to happen January 2025. It’s a long way off and things could change. I’m just trying to keep positive and hope for the best. If it happens, it would be one of the highest honors I can ever imagine to get.
Punk Globe: Do you have any Internet Addresses you would like to share with the readers?
Jimmy: I’m super low-tech and don’t engage with the internet much.
Punk Globe: Describe yourself in three words
Jimmy: Three words to describe me would be; I’m Creative, Curious, and Queer.
Punk Globe: Any last words for Punk Globe readers?
Jimmy: Yes: as you once wrote on the front wall of the Mabuhay Gardens: “Ginger Coyote loves Jim Jocoy “ 47 years later I can also write “Jim Jocoy loves Ginger Coyote!” You’re the best Ginger! Thank you for this interview!
Punk Globe: You remember the message I wrote Thank you for the interview. And the photo of Johnny Thunders and I
