78
American
A grungy looking dive unto the end,
Home to the truly experimental,
CBGB was the kind of landmark that
CBGB left a legacy of brilliance, daring
had become integral to the fabric of the
and tragedy in it’s wake. Though
city. It had been a legend in its own
famous for it’s championing of punk,
time and for many years the lone portal
the venue was originally conceived to
through which new acts got their break
showcase country, blue grass and blues,
and where unparalleled vitality of the
(hence, CBGB). Non-punk, underground
most raucous kind had poured since its
stars such as Mink Deville played CBGB
inception. In the annals of Rock history,
whenever he could. His rock style
v
ement
CBGB was the undisputed birthplace
derived from R & B, to Cajun, blues and
of the American Punk movement.
Latin rhythms. Then there were Garage
Bands that would never have had a
bands such as The Fleshtones. CBGB’s
chance at credibility got their start and
brilliance was that it took a chance on
were nurtured at CBGB. Behind this
anyone who was true to their own voice.
outrageous adventure was a man who
Unlike most music establishments it
loved to take chances. His name was
was slave to originality, not profit.
Hilly Kristal, the founder/owner of CBGB
Flashback. In 1973, the country
and a kind of mentor by default to many
was coming out of the Vietnam war and
a band. “Play what’s in you!” were his
while fantastic rock was happening,
watchwords. CBGB fulfilled this credo to
underground musicians and artists
A brief history of the Punk mo
the max.
were sickened by how culturally
Countless underground bands,
acceptable rock n’ roll had become.
many of them now famous, got their
Then disco entered the scene, gaining in
first gig at CBGB. Its thin walls were
momentum and peaking in the late 70’s
by Rania Haditirto,
electrified with the sounds of people
with hits by Donna Summer and the Bee
co-author Suzanne Bella Land
letting out what was in them. Punk
Gees, by which time the underground
wasn’t just counter-culture, it was a way
music scene was in an uproar. “The
to channel frustration, rage, sorrow and
height of the disco era brought an
disbelief. Hilly Kristal found his calling,
increasing dissatisfaction among rock
in taking chances on unorthodox voices.
musicians and their fans,” wrote Hilly
He didn’t have to like what you did as
Kristal in his memoirs about the history
long as it was original, had guts and was
of the club. “The formula driven disco
expressing what was real for you. Patti
music and the long drawn out solos ...
Smith once said that CBGB wasn’t really
encouraged a lot of disgruntled rock
a club, but “a state of mind.”
enthusiasts to seek the refreshing
avantoure
|
adrenaline rainbow