In a move emblematic of the complete cooptation and dissolution of the original punk movement, former punk mecca CBGB is becoming a men's clothing store. Yeah, on a certain level it's upsetting, but it probably could have been much worse. Fashion mogul John Varvatos will add the location to his national chain of boutiques.
"This store is going to be totally unique, different from our other boutiques," Varvatos told Billboard.com. "We're going to make it a great way to look back at this remarkable history but also forward to what's happening in music today."
Yes... wouldn't authentic replica Ramones jackets be the perfect compliment to an autumn ensemble? Still, this Varvatos guy isn't a total poser: he's got Alice Cooper on his homepage (for what it's worth), and has also done work with VH1's Save the Music Foundation in the past. According to Billboard.com's report on this story, Varvatos plans to keep the old CBGB stage (where greats like Television, Talking Heads and Patti Smith performed) as an integral part of the store's design. There should also be some in-store performances in the future. Still, is this what club founder Hilly Kristal would have wanted?
Related links:
CBGB.com
Paste: Hilly Kristal, CBGB founder, dies at 75
Paste: Patti Smith sings CBGB's requiem
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Google News - Entertainment, 2008-05-11 12:34 PM EDT
L.A. Times - Movie News, 2008-05-11 3:00 AM EDT
MTV News, 2008-05-09 9:11 PM EDT
Variety.com - Film News, 2008-05-09 8:28 PM EDT
Reuters: Entertainment News, 2008-05-09 8:25 PM EDT
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Episode 67
April 22, 2008
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