CBGB Opens Its Doors for the First Time

 On December 10, 1973, Hilly Kristal’s biker bar at 315 Bowery in Manhattan’s East Village became CBGB OMFUG (Country, BlueGrass and Blues and Other Music For Uplifting Gormandizers). 

CBGB at 315 Bowery

Although his original vision for the club of country, bluegrass and blues didn’t come to fruition it did become a lightning rod for the protopunk and punk movement in New York City. 

Hilly Kristal (1931-2007)

Bands such as the Patti Smith Group, Television, Blondie and the Talking Heads got started there. 

Television (1974)

Blondie (1975)

Talking Heads (1977)

The Ramones played their first official show at CBGB in August of 1974 and then went on to play there almost every other day for the remainder of that year. 

The Ramones - Basically CBGB’s house band

CBGB closed its doors for the last time on October 15th, 2006 over a rent dispute with a final concert by Patti Smith with many special guests. 

Flea with Patti Smith (10/15/2006)

The Ramones First Show at CBGB 8/16/1974

The Ramones first “performance” was in the space in which they practiced in Manhattan in March of 1974. 

They played as a trio with Dee Dee on bass and vocals, Joey on drums and Johnny on guitar. 

Tommy was in the audience as manager. 

The first show as a 4 piece was about 4 and a half months later on August 16th, 1974 at CBGB. 

This video was recorded there a month later:

After that they rounded out the rest of the year with 70 more shows at CBGB.

All to the benefit of the club, the band and the universe in general. 

22 years later they played their 2,263rd and last show.

Also on this date in 1985 the Red Hot Chili Peppers released Freaky Styley.

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CBGB Opens Its Doors

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