The founder of the legendary New York punk club CBGB, Hilly Kristal, died yesterday after complications from lung cancer. He was 75.
Kristal launched the Manhatten club in 1973, originally with the intent of hosting primarily bluegrass and country acts. However, it quickly became the unofficial home to New York's experimental and punk scene, with the likes of Talking Heads, Television, Living Colour, Patti Smith, Blondie and the Ramones playing early gigs there.
Over time the club gained iconic status and, while it became less influential in the 90s, when the venue's landlords refused to renew Kristal's lease in 2005 after a dispute over rent increases many of the legendary artists who had played there over the years spoke in support of the club owner, participating in a 'save CBGB campaign'.
As previously reported, after it became clear that the original CBGB was going to have to close, Kristal began to look for new premises, eventually opting to move the club to a replica venue in Las Vegas rather than taking on a new venue in New York. It is unclear if Kristal's death will affect those plans.
Kristal is survived by a daughter, a son and two grandchildren. A private memorial service is being planned, with a public memorial expected to be announced in due course.