10 Influential Bands That Got Their Start at CBGB
- Richard Hell and the Voidoids. If you're seeking connective tissue in the New York punk scene, look no further than Richard Hell, who was a member of the Neon Boys, ...
- The Dead Boys. At the invitation of Joey Ramone, the Dead Boys moved from Cleveland to New York City to join the thriving punk scene.
- Patti Smith Group. Before she jumped on the CBGB stage, Patti Smith was a frequent visitor of the club, along with then-boyfriend Robert Mapplethorpe and good pal Lenny Kaye.
What was the name of the band that played at CBGB?
In February 1974, Hilly booked local band Squeeze to a residency, playing Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the club's change from country and bluegrass to original rock bands. Squeeze was led by guitarist Mark Suall, later with CBGB's quasi house band the Revelons, which included Fred Smith of Television and JD Daugherty of the Patti Smith Group.
How did CBGB become so popular in the 80s?
~ It took less than a year for the club to become a central figure in New York’s rock scene. Bands and fans were coming from every corner of the city to experience the raw energy and loud authenticity of punk rock music. ~ In the 80s, CBGB became the hardcore punk mecca of New York.
What are some famous songs that mention CBGB?
In Green Day 's music video for their 1994 hit " Welcome to Paradise ", drummer Tre Cool wears a T-shirt bearing the CBGB logo. In " Losing My Edge " by LCD Soundsystem, James Murphy mentions CBGB as the rock club where he first played Daft Punk to "the rock kids". In 13 Going on 30, Matt Flamhaff (Mark Ruffalo) is seen wearing a CBGB shirt.
When did CBGB change from country to rock?
In 1973, while the future CBGB was still Hilly's, two locals—Bill Page and Rusty McKenna—convinced Kristal to let them book concerts. In February 1974, Hilly booked local band Squeeze to a residency, playing Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the club's change from country and bluegrass to original rock bands.
What was the first band to play at CBGB?
TelevisionTelevision. As the first great CBGB band, Television was the group that paved the way for punk rock at the club.
What was the most successful group out of CBGB?
The Patty Smith Group. Horses album integrated beat poetry with 3 chord rock. "Because the Night"- her biggest hit by Bruce Springsteen. The most commercially successful successful band to come out of CBGB's.
Did the clash get their start at CBGB?
The event capped a slate of rock & roll movie screenings – including Color Me Obsessed, the first documentary about the Replacements – to kick off the inaugural CBGB Festival in New York, a four-day celebration of the iconic punk club that was shuttered in 2006. “I've been a Clash fan since I was nine or 10 years old.
Who was the last band played at CBGB?
Get it sent to your inbox. Ms. Smith was CBGB's last booking as well as one of its first. In the 1970's, she was the oracular poet laureate of the punk scene, and her seven-week residency in 1975 is still regarded by connoisseurs as the club's finest moment.
What artists regularly performed at CBGB?
Meanwhile, CBGB became famed for the Misfits, Television, Patti Smith Group, Mink DeVille, the Dead Boys, the Dictators, the Fleshtones, the Voidoids, the Cramps, the B-52's, Blondie, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, the Shirts, and Talking Heads. Yet in the 1980s, hardcore punk's New York underground was CBGB's mainstay.
What Omfug means on CBGB?
OTHER MUSIC FOR UPLIFTING GOURMANDIZERSThe questions most asked of me is, "What does CBGB stand for?" I reply, "It stands for the kind of music I intended to have, but not the kind of music that we became famous for: COUNTRY BLUEGRASS BLUES." The next question is always, "but what does OMFUG stand for?" and I say, "That's more of what we do, it means OTHER ...
Did the Ramones start at CBGB?
The date was August 16, 1974, the bar was CBGB and the band was the Ramones, giving their debut public performance. The rapidly shouted words with which they opened that show and launched the punk-rock revolution were, as they would always be, “One! Two! Three!
Did Nirvana play at CBGB?
Nirvana never played CBGB because their agent demanded an additional $300 to perform, CBGB Festival organizer Louise Parnassa-Staley revealed to Krist Novoselic during the musician and political activist's keynote speech at the CBGB Festival in New York on Thursday.
Who was the first rock musician to perform regularly at CBGB's?
Which female New York-based poet, journalist, and singer recorded a critically acclaimed album, Horses, in 1976 and was the first rock musician to perform regularly at the legendary nightclub CBGBs? Patti Smith.
Did Talking Heads play at CBGB?
Although the band wouldn't really hit their stride until a few years later in the decade, in 1975, as they took to the stage at the infamous CBGB in support of punk upstarts the Ramones, there was a sense that this band were something unique, at the very least, Talking Heads had something different, something worth ...
Did the Strokes play at CBGB?
The Strokes: The First Ten Years is out October 10. In 2000 The Strokes played all over downtown New York; places like Don Hill's, Baby Jupiter, Acme Underground, and Mercury Lounge. The first time the band got a date at CBGB I circled it on my calendar because I wanted to capture it on film.
Who was the last band to play CBGB?
The Patti Smith Group’s legacy of edge and artistry has inspired countless mainstream and alternative acts, not limited to R.E.M., Madonna, U2 and the Smiths. Smith and her band were also the last ones to play CBGB when the club shuttered in the fall of ’06.
When was the first CBGB gig?
First CBGB Gig: March 31, 1974. As the first great CBGB band, Television was the group that paved the way for punk rock at the club. Yet Television’s musical aesthetic doesn’t jibe with what usually comes to mind when people talk about punk.
What was the first show at 315 Bowery?
Within the year, the venue at 315 Bowery would see its first shows by punk legends Television, the Ramones and the Patti Smith Group. For the rest of the '70s, CBGB would play host to the best in punk rock and New Wave, and became the place where out-of-town up-and-comers (from the Police to the B-52's) made their New York debuts.
What genre is Blondie based on?
The group were an underground sensation for the first few years -- based on great songs like ‘X Offender’ and ‘Rip Her to Shreds’ -- incorporating a blend of punk, doo-wop, reggae and pop.
When did the Beastie Boys first play?
Beastie Boys. First CBGB Gig: Nov. 20, 1982. A few years before they began to fight for their right to party, the Beastie Boys were fighting to get noticed as part of the local hardcore punk scene. Adam Yauch, Mike Diamond and future Luscious Jackson drummer Kate Schellenbach were part of the original lineup.
Where did the Dead Boys move to?
The Dead Boys. At the invitation of Joey Ramone, the Dead Boys moved from Cleveland to New York City to join the thriving punk scene. Almost instantly, Stiv Bators, Cheetah Chrome and the boys became part of the CBGB gang, and took the mantle as one of the most exciting and violent bands to regularly play the club.
When did the Talking Heads first play at CBGB?
Talking Heads. First CBGB Gig: June 8, 1975. Beginning as a trio, Talking Heads played their first-ever gig at CBGB as the openers for the Ramones. The two bands didn’t have much in common -- David Byrne would play an acoustic guitar! -- except that each had its own way of stripping rock down to its bare essentials.
Who organized the last week of CBGB?
Rocks Off, a promoter in New York, organized CBGB's final weeks of shows to book "many of the artists who made CB's famous.". Avail, the Bouncing Souls, and such newer acts opened during the last week, which included multi-night stands by Bad Brains and the Dictators and an acoustic set by Blondie.
What is CBGB known for?
From the early 1980s onward, CBGB was known for hardcore punk. One storefront beside CBGB became the "CBGB Record Canteen", a record shop and café. In the late 1980s, "CBGB Record Canteen" was converted into an art gallery and second performance space, "CB's 313 Gallery".
What is the CBGB in Spider-Man?
CBGB appears as a setting in the comic book Amazing Spider-Man Annual #14, from Marvel Comics, published in October 1980. CBGB is referenced in the ABC TV show Forever episode "Punk Is Dead". In The Shapers' song "Old School Punk Star", the venue is referenced in the bridge: "...And to rock on at the CBGB ...".
When was CBGB founded?
CBGB was founded on December 10, 1973, on the site of Kristal's earlier bar, Hilly's on the Bowery, that he ran from 1969 to 1972. Initially, Kristal focused on his more profitable East Village nightspot, Hilly's, which Kristal closed amid complaints from the bar's neighbors. After Hilly's closure, Kristal focused on the Bowery club.
When did CBGB reopen?
In December 2015, various news outlets reported on a rebranded CBGB "reopening" at Newark International Airport - as CBGB L.A.B. (Lounge and Bar) by New York Chef chef Harold Moore; which had opened as of the end of December 2015.
When did CBGB Fashions close?
CBGB Fashions moved to 19–23 St. Mark's Place on November 1, and closed nearly two years later in summer 2008.
What band did Nick and Norah play in Gilmore Girls?
In the novel Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, Nick and Norah break into the closed CBGB. In Gilmore Girls, Rory Gilmore's friend Lane Kim's band, Hep Alien, gets booked for a gig at CBGB. In Joan Jett & The Blackhearts ' clip of "Good Music", Joan Jett skips a fancy dinner party to play a gig at CBGB.
Who was the first female singer to play in a CBGB gig?
Time for some girl power! Before Blondie made their official debut at CBGB, singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein were already veterans of the CBGB stage, performing in two different bands. Blondie’s first CBGB gig was on January 17, 1975 and they quickly turned into an absolute local sensation. With a charismatic, gorgeous and rebellious bad girl as their leader and music incorporating the sounds of punk, pop, reggae and doo-wop, they were destined for success! Even though, they became too mainstream and adopted friendlier and more pop-oriented sounds, CBGB has never left the hearts of Blondie!
What is the CBGB?
The infamous bar CBGB (full name CBGB & OMFUG) is the birthplace of punk rock and new wave! It’s an iconic place and numerous important and influential musicians performed their first gigs there. The club owner – Hilly Kristal, helped bands such as Ramones, Blondie and Talking Heads kick off their careers by giving them a stage where they could rock as hard as they want! CBGB is the rock mecca of New York and naturally due to its enormous impact and importance, the majority of Americans are quite familiar with it. However, to many people outside America, the club and its significant role in the formation and development of the underground rock scene is quite unknown – and I’m saying it based on experience. Many people love and listen to Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads or the Heartbreakers; however they may not be so familiar with their origin stories and how they relate with CBGB in particular. Therefore, I decided to prepare a little informative publication in which I can talk a little bit more about CBGB and some of the bands that made their first steps as musicians on that infamous stage! I hope those of you who don’t know much would benefit from the publication! Cheers!
When did Talking Heads debut?
Talking Heads made their debut on the CBGB stage on June 8, 1975 , as the opening act for…Ramones! Those two bands are most certainly didn’t have much in common – Talking Heads preferred the sounds of the acoustic guitar, accompanied by poetic lyrics. The band would eventually be referred to as the artsy hipsters/geeks of the punk rock scene.
What is the CBGB?
CBGB was the diviest of dive bars, but a magical combination of factors conspired to make it a legendary venue, a place where some of the most famous musicians of the past half-century debuted, and where some of the most legendary live performances of all time occurred.
What was the menu at CBGB?
The kitchen was converted into a dressing room a few years later, but in the beginning, CBGB offered a small menu that included hamburgers and Kristal's soon-to-be-infamous chili. And that chili has become a bit of a legend in itself — for all the wrong reasons.
How much did Hilly Kristal leave CBGB?
Although CBGB always had an aura of punk poverty about it, and Hilly Kristal always seemed to be barely surviving, according to The Village Voice he left an estate valued at $3.7 million. The discovery was shocking because shortly before his death, he'd convinced his wife, Karen, to sign over the ownership of the corporation that operated CBGB to him. According to The New York Times, Kristal then sold the corporation's assets and trademarks for $3.5 million.
Why did Kristal stop booking punk acts?
In fact, Kristal temporarily stopped booking hardcore punk acts in 1990 because of all the trouble their fans were causing at the club.
When did Hilly Kristal open Hilly's on the Bowery?
When Hilly Kristal opened Hilly's on the Bowery (the bar that would evolve into CBGB) in 1969 , the neighborhood was a pretty bad one, and rents were very cheap. Over the years, New York City began to gentrify, and even the Bowery started to move up in the world.
What was the last place you'd suspect to see music history being made?
It's impossible to predict cultural touchstones. In 1973, the Bowery in New York City was a neighborhood in the midst of a lengthy decline. Blasted by poverty and crime, it wasn't a place that attracted tourists, and it was probably the last spot you'd suspect to see music history being made. And 315 Bowery was an even less likely spot: The former ...
When did the Ramones play CBGB?
As uDiscover Music notes, the seminal punk rock band began a residency at CBGBs in 1974, solidifying the bar's punk rock status.
Overview
CBGB was a New York City music club opened in 1973 by Hilly Kristal in Manhattan's East Village. The club was previously a biker bar and before that was a dive bar. The letters CBGB were for Country, BlueGrass, and Blues, Kristal's original vision, yet CBGB soon became a famed venue of punk rock and new wave bands like the Ramones, Television, Patti Smith Group, Blondie, and Talking Heads. …
Founding
CBGB was founded on December 10, 1973, on the site of Kristal's earlier bar, Hilly's on the Bowery, that he ran from 1969 to 1972. Initially, Kristal focused on his more profitable East Village nightspot, Hilly's, which Kristal closed amid complaints from the bar's neighbors. After Hilly's closure, Kristal focused on the Bowery club. Its full name of CBGB & OMFUG stands for "Country, Bluegrass, Blues and Other Music for Uplifting Gormandizers." Although a gormandizer is usually …
Evolution
In 1973, while the future CBGB was still Hilly's, two locals—Bill Page and Rusty McKenna—convinced Kristal to let them book concerts. In February 1974, Hilly booked local band Squeeze to a residency, playing Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the club's change from country and bluegrass to original rock bands. Squeeze was led by guitarist Mark Suall, later with CBGB's quasi house band the Revelo…
In 1973, while the future CBGB was still Hilly's, two locals—Bill Page and Rusty McKenna—convinced Kristal to let them book concerts. In February 1974, Hilly booked local band Squeeze to a residency, playing Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the club's change from country and bluegrass to original rock bands. Squeeze was led by guitarist Mark Suall, later with CBGB's quasi house band the Revelo…
Rent controversy
In 2005, atop its normally paid monthly rent of $19,000, CBGB was sued for some $90,000 in rent allegedly owed to its landlord, Bowery Residents' Committee (BRC). Refusing to pay until a judge ruled the debt legitimate, Kristal claimed that he had never been notified of scaled rent increases, accruing over a number of years, asserted by BRC's executive director Muzzy Rosenblatt. Ruling the debt false—that BRC had never properly billed the rent increases —the judge indicated that C…
Closure
Many punk rock bands played at CBGB when they found it was going to close in hopes that their support could keep it from closing. Rocks Off, a promoter in New York, organized CBGB's final weeks of shows to book "many of the artists who made CB's famous." Avail, the Bouncing Souls, and such newer acts opened during the last week, which included multi-night stands by Bad Brains and the Di…
Aftermath
After closing, the old CBGB venue remained open as CBGB Fashions—retail store, wholesale department, and an online store—until October 31, 2006. CBGB Fashions moved to 19–23 St. Mark's Place on November 1, and closed nearly two years later in summer 2008.
Hilly Kristal died from complications of lung cancer on August 28, 2007. In early October, Kristal's family and friends hosted a private memorial service in the nearby YMCA. Soon, there was a publ…
Venue
By late 2007, fashion designer John Varvatos planned to open a store in CBGB's former space, 315 Bowery, but to tastefully trail CBGB's legacy rock and roll stickers on the walls, and much of the graffiti at the toilets was preserved, as were some playbills, found behind a wall, from shows at the club's 10th anniversary in 1983. The store opened in April 2008.
Influence
CBGB's second awning, the one in place when the club closed in 2006, was moved into the lobby of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
The CBGB Festival produced large free concerts in Times Square and Central Park on July 7, 2012. They also showcased hundreds of bands in venues across the city. The festival premiered dozens of rock-n-roll movies in theaters around Manhattan.