Gothamist: Less Than a Year After CBGB Closes, Hilly Kristal Dies

guest

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 16:21:31 -0500

Please offer your condolences to Mr. Kristal's family in his online Guest Book on Legacy.com. Mr. Kristal's Guest Book is at http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2007/08/29/929332-cbgb-founder-hilly-kristal-dies-at-75 or via a link on the Home Page of Legacy.com.

guest

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 16:15:01 -0500

I was there the last night of CBGBS when Patti played, and while we stood in line out front before being let in, Hilly was sitting in the CBs Gallery being interviewed by the media..He looked old but not frail...Like him or not, the old guard is literally dying off.

matty

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 13:56:44 -0500

Whatever this guy did to your friend's garage bands can't hold a candle to the bands he helped make famous and part of the american cultural fabric. I mean, i don't think i could imagine life without the talking heads or the ramones, but maybe that's just me.

Pizza_Time

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 13:48:22 -0500

#5 So true... CBGB's screwed every band that I played in that did a gig at CB's and every friend I have who played there got screwed at some point as well. Whether it was getting stiffed pay, or getting cancelled and not being told until arriving at CB's ready to play... I don't wish harm or death on anyone. But as a business man Hilly was a douchebag. Karma is a bitch. RIP

guest

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:54:54 -0500

that's the nature of the music business, the musicians always gets screwed. Still was a unique place.

edEx

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:48:26 -0500

It was a great place, a great place indeed. RIP...

guest

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:18:52 -0500

Alot of people wondered why all the rock stars that made it big who once played CB's didnt come out to help when he was getting kicked out (this inteview with Vinnie Stigma is especilly hilarious http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKpIYUEI-ps ) Truth of the matter, as much of an institution as he was, Hilly was known for being a real jerk to the bands back in the day, so when the time came to step up for Hilly, everyone took a huge step back... I dont mean to step on anyones grave, Karma's a bitch... It still is an intsitution, and i appreciate what he broght, most great minds turn jerks under it all, we can still appreciate what he brought to the table...Rest in Peace

Bickle

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:35:31 -0500

Many people knew this was coming; he was pretty much terminally ill when CBGB closed. This was one of the many reasons why CBGB closed when it did. Hilly wanted to see its last glory with his own eyes while he was still alive. Rest in peace, Hilly and CBGB. Everything is now offically a memory. But life goes on, and new things will come to New York. Have faith and patience.

guest

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:34:44 -0500

Yawn.

guest

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:55:41 -0500

This is DEVASTATING news.... Take some time today to remember a true rock -n- roll hero. Crank up some Ramones, Blondie, Plasmatics and take a trip down memory lane...

guest

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:34:50 -0500

Man, what a sad way to go, with what's happened...RIP