CBGB: 20 Years After the Legendary Punk Club Closed Its Doors
CBGB nightclub, which closed its doors two decades ago, continues to represent the essence of New York's punk and rock scene. Its last performance took place on October 15, 2006, featuring Patti Smith. Established in 1973 by Hilly and Karen Kristal, the venue initially aimed to showcase country music but evolved into a punk rock haven. Over its 33-year run, it hosted iconic bands such as Television, Talking Heads, Blondie, and Sonic Youth, playing a vital role in launching new talent and drawing attention from industry scouts. In the 1980s, CBGB diversified to include hip hop and hardcore acts like the Beastie Boys and Misfits. The club shut down in 2006 due to soaring rent costs. Hilly Kristal passed away in 2007, and the location is now occupied by a John Varvatos store, while Phil Sandhaus acquired the CBGB brand and organizes the CBGB Festival.
Key facts
- CBGB hosted its final concert on October 15, 2006, with a three-and-a-half-hour performance by Patti Smith.
- The club was opened in 1973 by Hilly and Karen Kristal and remained open for 33 years.
- Its initials stood for Country, Bluegrass and Blues, though it became the hub of New York's first punk scene.
- Television, Talking Heads, Blondie, Sonic Youth, Suicide, Dead Boys, Squeeze, and Richard Hell and the Voidoids played there before becoming famous.
- The Police held one of their first US concerts at CBGB.
- In the 1980s the venue embraced hip hop and hardcore, hosting Beastie Boys, Misfits, Bad Brains, Agnostic Front, Murphy's Law, Gorilla Biscuits, and Sick of It All.
- The Bowery Residents' Committee (BRC) owned the building; rent was $19,000 per month, and a proposed increase to $35,000 (nearly 84 percent more) led to closure.
- Hilly Kristal died of lung cancer in 2007; the former site at 315 Bowery Street now houses a John Varvatos store.
- Music producer Phil Sandhaus bought the CBGB brand and organizes the CBGB Festival, which this year featured Patti Smith, Morrissey, and the Sex Pistols.
Entities
Artists
- Patti Smith
- Hilly Kristal
- Karen Kristal
- Phil Sandhaus
- Morrissey
- Richard Hell
Institutions
- CBGB
- Ramones
- Television
- Talking Heads
- Blondie
- Sonic Youth
- Suicide
- Dead Boys
- Squeeze
- Richard Hell and the Voidoids
- The Police
- Beastie Boys
- Misfits
- Bad Brains
- Agnostic Front
- Murphy's Law
- Gorilla Biscuits
- Sick of It All
- Sex Pistols
- Bowery Residents' Committee (BRC)
- John Varvatos
- SoHo Weekly News
- Punk
- New York Rocker
- CBGB Festival
Locations
- Manhattan
- New York
- United States
- United Kingdom
- 315 Bowery Street