The Passing of an Icon- Hilly Kristal dead at 75

[circemuse]

NEW YORK, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- It is with deep sadness
and regret that we inform you of the death of Hilly Kristal, who died on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 from complications from Lung Cancer. Kristal, 75, founded the legendary rock club CBGB and ran the club for 33 years. A singer and songwriter himself, Kristal opened the club to showcase "Country Bluegrass and Blues"; instead the club became a breeding ground for Punk rock. Among the many acts that called CBGB home were Blondie, the Talking Heads, Television, Living Color, Patti Smith and the Ramones. The club closed in October 2006, but CBGB continues, with a retail store in New York City and worldwide merchandise sales; in addition, there currently are plans to open new CBGB clubs in several locations.
Kristal is survived by his daughter, Lisa Kristal Burgman, son, Mark Dana Kristal, son-in-law Ger Burgman, grandchildren Jenny and Adam Burgman, CBGB, and the thousands of artists and musicians who played the club.A private memorial service is planned. A public memorial will be held at a later date. Contributions in Hilly's honor may be made in his name to the American Cancer Society or to the Hilly Kristal Foundation for Musicians and Artists (168 Second Avenue, PMB 207, New York, NY 10003).

[Frau_Blucher]

Whoa! Hilly dies not one year after CBGB's itself dies. Sad but maybe ironically fitting, especially if he doesn't have to see the brand turned into a yuppie accessory. But if that's what he wanted along with the chance to finally make some real coin, it would have been nice to see him benefit from that I suppose. Maybe his kids and grandkids can benefit, and he doesn't have to see CBGB's turned into a Disney pastiche.

[club80]

Boots off to a true icon! Rest in peace!
Now, he can open a CBGB's in heaven. 3/4 of The Ramones and 3/5 of The New York Dolls would be a nice opening night show.

[Yachtingtype]

[quote][i]Originally posted by club80[/i]
<br>Boots off to a true icon! Rest in peace!
Now, he can open a CBGB's in heaven. 3/4 of The Ramones and 3/5 of The New York Dolls would be a nice opening night show.
[/quote]

That's true, but we are gonna miss it...lol [:p]

[club80]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Yachtingtype[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by club80[/i]
<br>Boots off to a true icon! Rest in peace!
Now, he can open a CBGB's in heaven. 3/4 of The Ramones and 3/5 of The New York Dolls would be a nice opening night show.
[/quote]

That's true, but we are gonna miss it...lol [:p]
[/quote]


Not looking to buy tickets any time soon! But...I hope there's a bootleg coming!

[Yachtingtype]

"Live from Heaven"

Klaus Nomi is the opening act.......LOL [;)]

[Retro_NRG]

RIP Hilly..

(Sigh..)

How I wished that I had gone to CBGBs during its heyday.

Guess when you're a lifelong New Yorker (such as myself) you take such seemingly indelible cultural icons for granted.

Now both of you are gone..[V]

<MARQUEE><h5>Moving @The Speed of Life</h5></MARQUEE>

[club80]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Yachtingtype[/i]
<br>"Live from Heaven"

Klaus Nomi is the opening act.......LOL [;)]
[/quote]

Wendy O Williams on backing vocals

[schwenko]

Both Hilly Krystal and Tony Wilson gone within a few weeks.
I can't think of any other 2 people that have been responsible for so much musical enjoyment in my life/

[club80]

[quote][i]Originally posted by schwenko[/i]
<br>Both Hilly Krystal and Tony Wilson gone within a few weeks.
I can't think of any other 2 people that have been responsible for so much musical enjoyment in my life/
[/quote]


Except for John Peel who has already passed on.

Hey....Malcolm McLaren is still with us! Rejoice!

[cubby]

RIP Hilly. He certainly gave some great bands a chance when no one else would. Shame what has become of the place; and to the Lower East Side as well.

[jimmi]

I remember when he gave us (the Laughing Dogs) our first gig at CBGBs. It was with the Shirts in 1976.
I was pretty good friends with him. When not playing there, I'd hang out at CBGB a lot and we'd talk about bands and music by the front door of the club. He was a really nice guy with a good sense of humor and a kind heart.
We miss ya already Hilly!
[V]

[WolverineSyr]

Without him, who knows what the scene may have looked like back then. He definitley played a huge role in how everything came together.

I saw this fitting tribute:
At the club's boarded-up storefront Wednesday morning,
a spray-painted message read, "RIP Hilly, we'll miss
you, thank you." There were also a dozen candles, two
bunches of flowers and a foam rubber baseball bat — an
apparent tribute to the Ramones' classic "Beat on the
Brat."

[Frau_Blucher]

[quote][i]Originally posted by jimmi[/i]
<br>I remember when he gave us (the Laughing Dogs) our first gig at CBGBs. It was with the Shirts in 1976.
I was pretty good friends with him. When not playing there, I'd hang out at CBGB a lot and we'd talk about bands and music by the front door of the club. He was a really nice guy with a good sense of humor and a kind heart.
We miss ya already Hilly!
[V]
[/quote]
Very sorry to [i]get 'im outta town[/i] jimmi...and very sorry for your loss.

[club80]

[quote][i]Originally posted by jimmi[/i]
<br>I remember when he gave us (the Laughing Dogs) our first gig at CBGBs. It was with the Shirts in 1976.
I was pretty good friends with him. When not playing there, I'd hang out at CBGB a lot and we'd talk about bands and music by the front door of the club. He was a really nice guy with a good sense of humor and a kind heart.
We miss ya already Hilly!
[V]
[/quote]


I still have my vinyl copy of your debut album, Jimmi. I guess it's not a stretch to say that Hilly played a role in making that possible, as he did with so many bands.
Blir said it best...we're sorry for your loss.