Thread: CBGBs set to close.

Legendary New York City Club CBGB To Close On September 30 - July 5, 2006

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/bla...wsitemID=54673

After over 30 years, the legendary rock club CBGB will be closing for good on September 30, 2006.

CBs, as it is universally and fondly known, opened its doors in 1973, making it New York City's oldest continuously operating rock venue. Owner Hilly Kristal originally intended the club to showcase country, bluegrass and blues (hence the acronym), but the lack of places for unsigned bands to perform in New York at the time made CBs a magnet for the punk and art-rock scenes that were emerging downtown. Throughout the '70s, such seminal artists as THE RAMONES, TALKING HEADS, BLONDIE, THE PATTI SMITH GROUP, TELEVISION and SUICIDE performed at CBs regularly, and the club served as an incubator for what would become the most influential music of the era.

When punk metamorphosed into hardcore in the '80s, CBs remained on the city's cutting edge, offering a home for THE GORILLA BISCUITS, AGNOSTIC FRONT, CRO-MAGS, SICK OF IT ALL, H20, MURPHY'S LAW, LEEWAY and the other pillars of the NYHC movement.

As the New York nightlife industry grew bigger and more cutthroat in the '90s, CBs remained an endearingly stubborn throwback, sticking firm to the open-door booking policy that first welcomed its inaugural class of rebels — whoever you are, whatever you do, your band can play at CBGB.

In a downtown scene increasingly governed by fashion and status, CBs has zealously adhered to the formula that made it meaningful, by refusing to apply stylistic filters to its bookings, welcoming all comers to sink or swim on their own merits.

A much-publicized altercation with their landlord in mid-2005 led to an a star-studded benefit concert in Washington Square Park, and even Mayor Bloomberg vocally led his support to the little club that had developed, over the decades, into a globally-recognized cultural institution.However, despite the universal outpouring of love, and numerous attempts to resolve the matter legally, Kristal has been unable to arrive at terms with the building's owner, and a three-decade musical legacy will come to an end in just a few short months.
Fittingly, steadfastly independent New York concert promoters Rocks Off have signed on to book CBGBs closing festival, set to take place throughout August and September. They are in touch with many of the artists who made CBs famous, and are hard at work putting together a final schedule that will do justice to the club's enduring impact in the many varieties of rock and roll it has helped to cultivate throughout the years.
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I never visited CBGBs unfortunately. It seems a shame it's going althogh I don't know how relevant it has been lately. Maybe it's just nostalgia that makes people want to see it stay open. Anyone ever see a band play there?

Sad. I actually spoke to Hilly once on the phone...I'd called about info on getting my (then) band to play there, and couldn't believe he answered his own phone!! He was quite cool and friendly. (Sadly, that band never lasted long enough to make the trip.) I wonder though,...after thirty years, how could he have somehow not swung the bucks to buy the building, or relocate to a place where he could have done so and survived? He had the name and the rep...and sure as hell, some big names to help. Makes me wonder....
There's nothing like a live show, after all that's the original purpose of music...to entertain one's self and other humans. But it really is sad to see CBGB's go.

There was a similar club in the 'burgh called 'The Electric Banana'. Absolutely anyone could play there. You may not make any cash, but you had a stage for the night. The back end (with the stage) was built on stilts, owing to the steep topography. When it was cranking, the house literally rocked!!! All the punk icons had played there, from Black Flag, the Dead Kennedys, Samhain...too many more to begin listing. Outrageous club! I played there many times under various guises (bands)...wild times, but I believe it's gone too... :sad: