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Entries tagged with 'CBGB's'
Posted Apr. 25, 2008,
Bob Gruen, Rock God
By David Hershkovits
There are more photos in this gallery. View them all.
Bob Gruen has to be New York's preeminent rock photographer. If you don't believe me, you haven't seen his knockout installation Rockers currently on exhibit at Morrison Hotel Gallery (313 Bowery). Gruen was at CBGB's and Max's Kansas City back in the day and has the iconic images of everyone from the Ramones to Talking Heads to Blondie to you-name-it to prove it. He practically lived with John and Yoko! And he's a heck-of-a-nice-guy who deserves all his success. What makes him even more special is that he's still shooting many of the young bands today. Because he loves doing it! Really! For the most part, the work is not posed, studio rock god photography, but intimate photos captured on-the-spot. He was there!
Posted Apr. 15, 2008,
CBGB's Out of Business Again
By David Hershkovits
You have to hand it to John Varvatos for having the nerve to open his new store on the old CBGB's site on the Bowery. Turning punk rock's hallowed ground into a retail store set him up for potential abuse by the many descrying the gentrification of the neighborhood, but he's pulled it off by maintaining a connection with the spirit of rock 'n' roll which identifies the brand. The store has a stage, sells collectible vinyl and vintage hi-fi, while sporting gold records by the likes of Alice Cooper (???) and original posters and graffiti from the glory days of CBs. This Thursday they're hosting an exclusive (sold out) benefit party for VH1's Save the Music Foundation featuring a live performance by The Losers Lounge. Next door, what was once CBGB's Gallery has been taken over by Morrison Hotel, an art gallery focusing on music-related photography, whose next show on April 24 will feature photos by the legendary Bob Gruen.
On a related note, we were not so saddened to see a "for rent" sign on the window of the CBGB's store that opened on St. Mark's Place in the hope of selling CB's merch to the masses. Maybe they should give them a corner at the Varvatos store for their wares.
Posted Oct. 16, 2007,
Hilly Krystal's Legacy Lives On
By David Hershkovits
Hilly Krystal's memorial started, fittingly enough, on line waiting for admittance to the Bowery Ballroom where a who's who of New York punk rock royalty turned out to pay their final respects to the proprietor of CBGB's who died earlier this year. What was striking about the gathering was how local it was. Though CBGB's became known world-wide, it was really a local hangout for hundreds of bands, many of whom never made it big time, though they always had a home at CB's where Krystal became a mentor, life coach and father figure for many of the talented, often disaffected, youth that passed through its grungy doors.
Inside, the cash registers rang and drinks were served to the hundreds who came. Hilly's daughter Lisa, who made opening remarks about her "unique" dad, was followed many of the musicians who played at the club, including Richard Hell, Tommy Ramone, Vernon Reid, Tina Weymouth and Richard Lloyd. With CB's "stars" Debbie Harry and Patti Smith unable to attend, the spotlight was firmly on the man who made it happen. Cheetah Chrome stepped up and asked if anyone remembered that he used to be a pretty bad drug addict. As the audience roared with laughter, he told of how Hilly personally delivered him to rehab, saved his life and made it possible for Cheetah to father a son, who was with him that night. So the legacy lives on, both within Hilly's own family and the musical family he nurtured.
Photo by Bob Gruen
Posted Oct. 4, 2007,
Lance Loud in An American Family in Santa Barbara
By Ann Magnuson
Lance Loud may have been America's first reality TV star. He certainly was the "breakout" star of his family whose lives in upscale suburban Santa Barbara were captured in the infamous 1970's PBS documentary series An American Family. (What a shame all the parties involved can't agree on getting this series available on DVD already!) The wise-crackin', charismatic Lance was very "out" and he influenced many, many people of a certain age who felt like misfits in their own suburban prisons. (Particularly those who didn't live as well as the folks in Santa Barbara!) Hoards of disaffected Bowie-worshipping teens were inspired to hightail it out of their stifling enviroments and, like Lance, become bohemian artists in New York City! The episode where Lance moves into the Chelsea Hotel certainly inspired me to make my move to the Big Bad Apple. (Where I was promptly mugged... then happily made my way to CBGB's)
Posted Apr. 5, 2007,
The Police Reunion Tour!
By Ann Magnuson
I'd like to score some tickets to The Police reunion show if only to hear them do this song! (Which I've always wanted to cover... and just might when I play -- SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT-- the Steve Allen Theater April 13 & 14!) GAWD, Sting is HOT in this video -- resplendant in all his Dune-era glory! And dig the crazy '80s Thunderdome aesthetic!
I heard Andy Summers when he was on Sex Pistol Steve Jonses' great radio show JONSEY'S JUKEBOX a few weeks ago and he assured everyone that the Police songs were going to be played by just the three of them in the ole, straightforward rock manner (no Sting-ified jazz arrangement or lutes!). The two of them then compared notes about living in L.A.: