Post by South-Punk Admin on Aug 29, 2007 19:44:36 GMT
Hilly Kristal, the famed founder of CBGB, died Tuesday at age 75 of compilations from lung cancer. A singer/songwriter himself, Kristal ran the club for 33 years, kick-starting the careers of Blondie, The Talking Heads, Television, and the Ramones—to name a few. CBGB closed in 2006, after long legal battles in an attempt to save thousands of dollars in back rent with an historical landmark status. However unsuccessful, the club saw shows from Bad Brains and the Dictators before they finally shut its doors. Since then, Kristal had been running merchandise sales in New York and worldwide, as well as planning to open new clubs in several locations. He is survived by his daughter and son, and will always be remembered for his contribution to punk rock.
"He was a complete version of old-school," says Scott Goodstein, who worked with Hilly on the "Save CBGBs" campaign. "There seem to have been a lot of back and forth in the final years of CBGBs and it is unfortunate what has happened with both gentrification and high rents. Hilly was a guy that didn't want to give up, he wanted to be that hub for all types of music. For 30 some years, that's what he did. It was an honor to actually know him."
A private memorial service is planned, with a public one to be held at a later date. Contributions in his name may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Hilly Kristal Foundation For Musicians And Artists at 168 Second Avenue, PMB 207, New York, NY 10003.
www.cbgb.com
Story by: Rachael Darmanin
"He was a complete version of old-school," says Scott Goodstein, who worked with Hilly on the "Save CBGBs" campaign. "There seem to have been a lot of back and forth in the final years of CBGBs and it is unfortunate what has happened with both gentrification and high rents. Hilly was a guy that didn't want to give up, he wanted to be that hub for all types of music. For 30 some years, that's what he did. It was an honor to actually know him."
A private memorial service is planned, with a public one to be held at a later date. Contributions in his name may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Hilly Kristal Foundation For Musicians And Artists at 168 Second Avenue, PMB 207, New York, NY 10003.
www.cbgb.com
Story by: Rachael Darmanin