Bye bye Hilly, and thanks for the music
CBGB Founder, Hilly Kristal Dies at Age 75
NEW YORK, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – It is with deep sadness and regret that we inform you of the death of Hilly Kristal, who died on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 from complications from lung cancer. Kristal, 75, founded the legendary rock club CBGB and ran the club for 33 years. A singer and songwriter himself, Kristal opened the club to showcase “Country Bluegrass and Blues”; instead the club became a breeding ground for Punk rock. Among the many acts that called CBGB home were Blondie, the Talking Heads, Television, Living Color, Patti Smith and the Ramones.
Sure, punk in America was gonna burst out somewhere, but it found a home at CBGB, and we can thank Hilly Kristal for that.
1-2-3-4!