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Hilly Kristal, founder of NY punk mecca CBGB, dies
08/29/2007 6:15 PM, Reuters
Hilly Kristal, the founder of New York
punk rock club CBGB, which helped make the Ramones, Blondie and
Talking Heads stars, has died at age 75, his daughter said on
Wednesday.
Kristal died on Tuesday from complications of lung cancer,
his daughter, Lisa Kristal Burgman, said.
He founded the club in 1973 hoping to showcase country
music, calling it CBGB & OMFUG, for "Country, Bluegrass, Blues
and Other Music For Uplifting Gourmandizers."
But the club drew few country acts and instead became a
breeding ground for punk rock, playing host to the likes of
Patti Smith, Television, Living Colour as well as countless
local hopefuls that never made it to the big time.
"He loved country, but he loved music even more, and as a
singer-songwriter himself, he knew rock musicians needed a
place to play their own music," his daughter said.
Marky Ramone of the Ramones said in a statement, "Hilly was
an integral part of the punk scene from 1974 until his death."
"He was always supportive of the genre," he said. "In an
era when disco was the mainstream, Hilly took a chance and
gambled. The gamble paid off for both him and for us. We are
all grateful to him and will miss him."
Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, who first played CBGB
in the late 1980s, said agents from recording companies often
came to the club. "So many bands would have never have made
records unless they came to CBGB," he said.
Kristal was born in Manhattan but his father moved the
family to Hightstown, New Jersey, soon after. He became a
concert violinist by the age of 9. In the late 1950s, Kristal
sang in the men's chorus at Radio City Music Hall.
He went on to manage Manhattan jazz haunt the Village
Vanguard, booking acts like trumpet player Miles Davis. He
opened a bar that served sandwiches, such as the Hilly burger,
that later became CBGB.
Kristal lost a battle last year to stop CBGB from being
evicted. Its last shows in October featured Patti Smith and
Blondie's Debbie Harry. The club's clothing store, CBGB
Fashions, remains open a few blocks from the original club.
"He wanted the club to survive him," his daughter said. "He
is survived by the fans and bands that played there."
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