Legendary NYC punk club CBGB’s final requiem will be delivered by rock matriarch Patti Smith on October 15. Despite efforts from fans and promoters to save the venue, the concert hall that helped define a music genre and launch the careers of Talking Heads, The Ramones and Television will close its doors after its final show on October 31, due to unsuccessful rent negotiations with its landlord.
Opened in 1975, CBGB is largely regarded as the birthplace of American punk. Founder and owner Hilly Kristal initially intended to host blues and country bands at the Bowery bar (CBGB stands for country, bluegrass and blues), but the venue’s identity soon became synonymous with underground rock as protopunk bands like Blondie, The Fleshtones and The Stilettos became club mainstays. According to Kristal, tickets for Smith’s closing show sold out in eight minutes.
SIRIUS Satellite Radio will broadcast CBGB’s final concert commercial free on its 24th channel, SIRIUS Disorder, beginning at 9 pm ET.
For more information, visit CBGB’s website.
Email
Leave a comment