Perhaps I'm a little in get this information, but I heard on the news today that CBGB's may close due to a "dispute over an unpaid rent fight with the landlord."

Very sad news. I've never been to the place, but I know it's place in music history.

Comments anyone?

http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2005/03/0902.cfm

I've read and heard that Hilly had the opportunity to buy that entire building but for whatever reasons he chose not to. I guess now the gentrification of that entire area has made all that a non-issue. Property values even in that bit of the village are ASTRONOMICAL these days. I shudder to think what the rent for that space indeed is these days.

It is sad but over the years the joint's prominence has kind of faded. On one hand you say it's served it's purpose, progress marches on. On the other you could piss and moan about it's impending demise.

I'm in the middle on CBs' fate. Have not been there now for well over a decade. Mostly because not all that many bands of interest -to me- play there anymore. Saw the dB's there, saw SO many there. Was a semi-regular there during it's halcyon days, so yep, I'm sad about it closing. Sad too that it's yet another NYC rock venue casualty.

CBs is about the only *historic* NYC rock joint left anymore.

Ah well.

There was an article about this in the last day or two in the NY Times (I think). CBs isn't the only place being hit -- the entire block has become valuable property, and the longtime renters are being squeezed. If Hilly had a chance to buy it and didn't it really is a shame. I went to tons of shows there in the 80s (saw the dBs at Irving Plaza though, I think they were bigger by the time I discovered them). It does seem to have waned a long time ago, though, in terms of playing any kind of vital role in the music scene. There are too many other clubs, and the music industry is so different than it was 20 years ago.

Still and nonetheless: sigh...

I think I saw the dB's at CBs, maybe it was Irving now come to think of it. Maybe when that was Club 57 ...? ...when/where-ever.

Luna Lounge over on Stanton has recently been given their walking papers as well. Luxury condos coming to THAT neighborhood any time now .

I don't know what's up concerning the myriad up-scale clubs and nightspots down in that area nowaday. Whether there was foresight involved (that Hilly apparently lacks) ...ie... buying the buildings when affordable ...whatever. All those blocks between The Bowery and Chrystie ... joints galore. Not all that many I'd be caught dead in. But lots of them now.

I had no idea this was going on. I was just there - maybe three weeks ago to do a video interview with Stephanie Chernikowski. So glad we did it! A little piece of history preserved!

Real estate prices made it a whole lot more profitable to close it and build condos...

Sheesh!

Tim

http://www.moodswingers.org