Bowery in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
CBGB
Birthplace of Punk Rock
— 315 Bowery —
Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 15, 2016
1. CBGB Marker
This is the birthplace of punk rock. A grungy and chaotic laboratory of musical innovation, it witnesses early performance by The Ramones, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, Television, Richard Hell, Blondie, The Police, Dead Boys, Joan Jett, Lou Reed, AC/DC, the B-52s, Alan Jackson, Green Day, Guns ‘n Roses, and Pearl Jam.CBGB was the brainchild of Hilly Kristal (1931-2007), a former marine who played violin and guitar, sang at Radio City Music Hall and managed the Village Vanguard before starting the Rheingold Central Park Music Festival and opening Hilly’s on 9th Street. In 1973, he opened CBGB, intending to book Country/BlueGrass/Blues, but drifted into rock. OMFUG means Other Music for Uplifting Gormandizers. Sacrificing all to make his vision a reality, he took odd jobs to make ends meet. He rejected cover music, stressing instead a nurturing commitment to new songs and new bands.
Despite a high profile campaign to save the club after a protracted legal dispute with Hilly’s landlord, CBGB closed on October 15, 2006. Battling cancer, he died in 2007. Patti Smith wrote, “Hilly Kristal was the good shepherd of a flock of
this page online
Erected 2016 by Bowery Alliance of Neighbors.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is October 15, 2006.
Location. 40° 43.513′ N, 73° 59.52′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in the Bowery. Marker is on Bowery near Bleeker Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 Bowery, New York NY 10003, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Alexander’s Musee (a few steps from this marker); World’s Smallest Opera House (a few steps from this marker); Then You Saw It/Now You Don’t (within shouting distance of this marker); Hats, Hardware & Horses (within shouting distance of this marker); Tin Palace Jazz Club (within shouting distance of this marker); McGurk’s Suicide Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Secret Cemetery Secret Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); 21st Century Fashion In A 21st Century House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
More about this marker. One of more than sixty entries in the “Windows on the Bowery” series.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 15, 2016
2. CBGB founder Hilly Kristal
Photographed By Larry Gertner, March 1, 2001
3. CBGB, March 2001
Photographed By Larry Gertner, October 2006
4. CBGB's last day; October 15, 2006
Photographed By Larry Gertner, October 2006
5. Gone; October 17, 2006
Photographed By Larry Gertner, 2009
6. Like this is so much better?
Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 15, 2016
7. Inset
The Ramones, 1975
Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 15, 2016
8. Inset
Patti Smith, 1976
Photographed By Larry Gertner, October 2007
9. Extra Alley
The CBGB doors opened onto this dead-end alley where performers waited between sets.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 508 times since then and 248 times this year. Last updated on August 10, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on July 19, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
