CBGB
CBGB
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Questions
What does CBGB actually stand for?
It stands for Country, Bluegrass, Blues, and Other Music For Uplifting Gourmandizers. The full name reflected founder Hilly Kristal’s original plan for the space.
Who founded CBGB and when did it open?
It was founded by Hilly Kristal and his ex-wife Karen Kristal, opening on December 10, 1973, at 315 Bowery in Manhattan’s East Village.
Wait, so it was meant to be a country and bluegrass club?
Yes. Kristal intended the venue for country and bluegrass acts, but it instead evolved into the birthplace of American punk rock.
Who designed the famous CBGB logo?
Karen Kristal, Hilly’s ex-wife and co-founder, designed the iconic logo herself.
Did the Ramones really get their start there?
The Ramones played their first shows at CBGB, and the club became closely tied to the band’s early rise.
Which other legendary bands played CBGB?
Blondie, Talking Heads, the Patti Smith Group, the Dead Boys, and the Misfits all performed there among many others.
How did the punk era actually start at the club?
The band Television booking a Sunday-night slot is credited with initiating CBGB’s punk era.
What were the club’s rules for bands?
There were two simple policies: bands had to move their own equipment, and they had to play mostly original songs.
What’s the deal with the CBGB bathroom?
The venue’s restroom became culturally significant, and rapper Aesop Rock even references CBGB women’s room graffiti in his music.
Was there a hardcore scene there too?
Yes. In the 1980s the Sunday hardcore matinée shows became an institution, featuring acts like Bad Brains and Agnostic Front.
When and why did CBGB close?
After a rent dispute with landlord the Bowery Residents’ Committee, CBGB closed on October 15, 2006.
Who played the final show?
Patti Smith performed the last show, reportedly playing for 3½ hours until after 1 a.m. and closing with ’Elegie’ while reading the names of deceased musicians.
Where did the famous awning end up?
The venue’s second awning now resides at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2013 the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Is there a movie about CBGB?
A 2013 film starring Alan Rickman as Hilly Kristal documented the club’s history, though it reportedly received largely negative reviews.