Hilly Kristal, founder of CBGB in New York dies of lung cancer

August 29, 2007 by Bill Gould, Publisher.

New York, New York - On Tuesday August 28 2007, Hilly Kristal, the owner and founder of famous New York punk rock club CBGB, died at Cabrini Hospital according to his son Mark Dana Kristal. After over 30 years of great punk music, his grungy Bowery rock club was closed in October of 2006 after years of disputes over rent. Each item in the club was dismantled and labeled in hopes that Kristal would re-open a new CBGB in Las Vegas.

CBGB spawned a movement of punk rock despite its original intent of being a county and bluegrass music venue. Bands like The Ramones, Television, Talking Heads, Blondie and Patti Smith became famous after playing the club in the late 70’s and early 80’s. As of early Wednesday morning fans of the club had left candles, a foam baseball bat (in tribute to both Hilly and The Ramones) and a spray painted message of ‘RIP Hilly’.

Indeed, RIP Hilly and keep rockin in heaven with Joey.

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