monkeythe
09-03-2005, 07:11 AM
http://www.nydailynews.com/09-01-2005/news/story/342409p-292353c.html
Stars stage rally
as CBGB ax looms
BY KERRY BURKE and DAVE GOLDINER
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Legendary club CBGB inched closer to drawing its final curtain yesterday - even as stars rallied to save the dank mecca of rock.
The Bowery Residents Committee informed CBGB's owner that it wouldn't renew his lease and urged him to move out of the East Village space that spawned three decades of punks and alternative rock legends.
"We hope that CBGB will vacate the premises both voluntarily and expeditiously," wrote Muzzy Rosenblatt of the BRC, a homeless support group.
But CBGB's owner, buoyed by a star-studded rally, vowed never to let the eardrum-buzzing reverb die out for good.
"We're going to fight. We deserve to be here," said club owner Hilly Kristal. "If they padlock the club, we're going to cut the locks."
Kristal vowed to resist any eviction effort in court, meaning it could be weeks or months before the stale-smelling, dimly lit symbol of rock rebellion actually shuts down.
Even as the battle lines were drawn, the legendary club got a massive show of support from 3,000 fans and celebrities who turned out for a "Save CBGBs" concert in Washington Square Park.
"It's not just a historic site, it's a sacred site," said Steven (Little Steven) Van Zandt. "Young bands can play on the same stage as Blondie, the Ramones and the Talking Heads."
Blondie jammed along with a host of lesser-known and questionably talented groups that befitted CBGB's open-door policy. Public Enemy closed the show with their rap anthem, "Fight the Power."
"CBGB always gave musicians a platform to say important things," said ChuckD of Public Enemy. "It's time we did something to save one of New York's great institutions."
At 17, Ryan Nixon is too young to have seen any of the biggest names that earned their chops on CBGB's graffiti-scrawled stage.
But he said you never know which of today's scuzzy reject cases might turn out to be tomorrow's revered music legends.
"It's a real shame it might close," said Ryan, of Queens. "It still gives local kids a chance."
Stars stage rally
as CBGB ax looms
BY KERRY BURKE and DAVE GOLDINER
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Legendary club CBGB inched closer to drawing its final curtain yesterday - even as stars rallied to save the dank mecca of rock.
The Bowery Residents Committee informed CBGB's owner that it wouldn't renew his lease and urged him to move out of the East Village space that spawned three decades of punks and alternative rock legends.
"We hope that CBGB will vacate the premises both voluntarily and expeditiously," wrote Muzzy Rosenblatt of the BRC, a homeless support group.
But CBGB's owner, buoyed by a star-studded rally, vowed never to let the eardrum-buzzing reverb die out for good.
"We're going to fight. We deserve to be here," said club owner Hilly Kristal. "If they padlock the club, we're going to cut the locks."
Kristal vowed to resist any eviction effort in court, meaning it could be weeks or months before the stale-smelling, dimly lit symbol of rock rebellion actually shuts down.
Even as the battle lines were drawn, the legendary club got a massive show of support from 3,000 fans and celebrities who turned out for a "Save CBGBs" concert in Washington Square Park.
"It's not just a historic site, it's a sacred site," said Steven (Little Steven) Van Zandt. "Young bands can play on the same stage as Blondie, the Ramones and the Talking Heads."
Blondie jammed along with a host of lesser-known and questionably talented groups that befitted CBGB's open-door policy. Public Enemy closed the show with their rap anthem, "Fight the Power."
"CBGB always gave musicians a platform to say important things," said ChuckD of Public Enemy. "It's time we did something to save one of New York's great institutions."
At 17, Ryan Nixon is too young to have seen any of the biggest names that earned their chops on CBGB's graffiti-scrawled stage.
But he said you never know which of today's scuzzy reject cases might turn out to be tomorrow's revered music legends.
"It's a real shame it might close," said Ryan, of Queens. "It still gives local kids a chance."