CBGBs is one of the most iconic venues in American history. The bands that it incubated changed the world. This is the story of CBGBs and Hilly Kristal
Remember: im not an expert on this. I don’t claim to be. I just tell stories that I think are fun. If you were around CBGB back in the day, you probably know more than me. If I get something wrong, please let me know! But please do it gently. I want to learn, no reason to be rude.
Here goes: 1) White flight was mostly in the '50s. By the early '60s, landlords were desperate for tenants, so shelter was very affordable. (My first apartment ... Ave B at 13th St. ... cost $17 a month.) 2) Wayne County, Eric Emerson & The Magic Tramps, and The Stilettos all played before Television. 3) I must confess I've never heard of Billy Hayes or Rusty McKenna (sp?)... However, Terry Ork (Television's manager) did most of the booking at CBGB after Television 'discovered' the already functioning venue. 4) I first saw the RAMONES at CBGB in 1974. They did 19 or 20 songs in 30 minutes. They never got better. 5) CBGB Sunday matinees were organized by David (Donna) Parsons (RatCage Dave). 6) th-cam.com/video/cadFFnd4eIc/w-d-xo.html
my band played there at open mic, the bass player didnt bother showing up, it was 'different', there were 7 people there, but later in the evening i saw a band called B-52's were gonna play, and they played to about 27 people, and it was obvious to me that they were going to be a hundred million dollar group--from the moment they began people started dancing by themselves, 27 people, if there was a hundred they'd all be dancing and if there were a thousand the same thing---saw so many bands there probably Patti Smith the most
It is a John Varvatos store now. I remember walking by and seeing the original entrance and awning and then, one day, it wasn’t there. Then, boom, it was a boutique. The Bowery and LES are def a mix between the haves and have-nots, especially nowadays. Go, see for yourself.
I was a Chicago punk, so I never went to CBGB, but me and my fake ID and friends used to go to an equally legendary club, IMO, called La Mere Vipere. Read up on it! My friends and I repped the NY look with our NYPD leathers. I was in a band with the guitar player and singer from Of Cabbages and Kings. It was a cool scene, I was friends with Bag People, Da.and lots of people who moved to NY. There's a documentary by a friend of mine, Dave Thomas, called "You Weren't There' Anyway, these guys played CB's and they describe it as a shit hole. LOL. Great video. I found it to be very accurate.
Remember: im not an expert on this. I don’t claim to be. I just tell stories that I think are fun. If you were around CBGB back in the day, you probably know more than me. If I get something wrong, please let me know! But please do it gently. I want to learn, no reason to be rude.
Here goes: 1) White flight was mostly in the '50s. By the early '60s, landlords were desperate for tenants, so shelter was very affordable. (My first apartment ... Ave B at 13th St. ... cost $17 a month.) 2) Wayne County, Eric Emerson & The Magic Tramps, and The Stilettos all played before Television. 3) I must confess I've never heard of Billy Hayes or Rusty McKenna (sp?)... However, Terry Ork (Television's manager) did most of the booking at CBGB after Television 'discovered' the already functioning venue. 4) I first saw the RAMONES at CBGB in 1974. They did 19 or 20 songs in 30 minutes. They never got better. 5) CBGB Sunday matinees were organized by David (Donna) Parsons (RatCage Dave). 6) th-cam.com/video/cadFFnd4eIc/w-d-xo.html
I played there from 82-84 with several bands.
my band played there at open mic, the bass player didnt bother showing up, it was 'different', there were 7 people there, but later in the evening i saw a band called B-52's were gonna play, and they played to about 27 people, and it was obvious to me that they were going to be a hundred million dollar group--from the moment they began people started dancing by themselves, 27 people, if there was a hundred they'd all be dancing and if there were a thousand the same thing---saw so many bands there probably Patti Smith the most
Enjoyed it dude 👌
CBGB'S should have had Landmark status.
It is a John Varvatos store now. I remember walking by and seeing the original entrance and awning and then, one day, it wasn’t there. Then, boom, it was a boutique. The Bowery and LES are def a mix between the haves and have-nots, especially nowadays. Go, see for yourself.
I'll be in NYC at the end of the month and I plan on going by the old spot. I'm super interested to see what it's like down there now
I was a Chicago punk, so I never went to CBGB, but me and my fake ID and friends used to go to an equally legendary club, IMO, called La Mere Vipere. Read up on it! My friends and I repped the NY look with our NYPD leathers. I was in a band with the guitar player and singer from Of Cabbages and Kings. It was a cool scene, I was friends with Bag People, Da.and lots of people who moved to NY. There's a documentary by a friend of mine, Dave Thomas, called "You Weren't There' Anyway, these guys played CB's and they describe it as a shit hole. LOL. Great video. I found it to be very accurate.
I’ll definitely look into that venue - thanks!
you should do a video about the wipers
they're so influencial and so undocumented
I'll add em to the list, thanks!
Good call.
🎄🔡🗽
🔡