So Long CBGB & OMFUG

photo by Scott Beale

CBGB, the legendary club in New York’s Bowery that helped give birth to punk rock, had its final show Sunday night, featuring a performance by Patti Smith. After 33 years, they are closing the doors to both the club at 315 Bowery and CB’s 313 Gallery. Founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973, CBGB was the launch pad for such bands as The Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, Sonic Youth, Television and many others. If Hilly can’t find a suitable location in New York, he’s thinking about moving the club to Las Vegas. Regardless of the outcome, CBGB will never be the same.

Digging around, I found some closing weekend coverage:

– “CBGB Brings Down the Curtain With Nostalgia
and One Last Night of Rock” (New York Times)

– Rob Boudon (photos)

– Ransom (photos)

We have been fortunate to be involved with organizing a few events at CBGB club/gallery:

– On April 26th, 2003 we had our Laughing Squid: NYC event at CB’s 313 Gallery.

– “Culture Jamming”, featuring Billboard Liberation Front, Ron English, Joey Skaggs, Mark Dery, Cicada Corps of Artists and others took place at CB’s 313 Gallery on April 28th, 1999.

– The East Coast book release partyfor “Burning Man”, published by HardWired, Wired Magazine’s book division, took place at CBGB and CB’s 313 Gallery on April 25th & 26th, 1997.

A very special thanks goes out to Micheline and her awesome staff for working with us on all of these events. So long guys, we’re really going to miss you.