John Lindsay (1921-2000) was the mayor of New York City from January 1966 to December 1973. During the first week, after he flew over the city and observed the transit strike, Lindsay said, “I still think it’s a fun city.” The nickname “Fun City” became popular, but it was often used satirically.
“Why is it gayer there? Lindsay’s the mayor there, Fun city, fun city, the one city for fun” became a chant. Authorship is unknown.
Wikipedia: John Lindsay
John Vliet Lindsay (/vliːt/; November 24, 1921 – December 19, 2000) was an American politician and lawyer. During his political career, Lindsay was a U.S. congressman, mayor of New York City, and candidate for U.S. president. He was also a regular guest host of Good Morning America. Lindsay served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from January 1959 to December 1965 and as mayor of New York City from January 1966 to December 1973.
Thirteen
Your Lindsay Years Stories (2010—ed.)
TERI GEE
Unfortunately I have to date myself. I was in elementary school when Lindsay was mayor. He was the first mayor I remembered and I was impacted by the school strike. I recall not understanding why I couldn’t go to school and seeing my teachers picketing when I went to the supermarket with my mother. I have a good friend now who was in Vietnam at that time and he told me that the big snow storm story was on the cover of Stars & Stripes. That’s how big it was but I am sorry about what happened, because in retrospect he was a classy guy who could bridge difference and we need that now more than ever. As my class used to sing, “why is it gayer there Lindsay’s the mayor there, fun city, fun city, the one city for fun!”
Twitter
Tee
@uforje
Replying to @NYHistory
Fun city which was coined by mayor Lindsay when I was a child. We even sang a song in 2nd grade. Why is it gayer there Lindsay’s the mayor there. Fun city fun city the one city for fun.
4:49 AM · Apr 14, 2022·Twitter for Android
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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