After a lengthy battle with lung cancer, Hilly Kristal, the founder of legendary New York City punk club CBGB, has died at age seventy-five. Kristal, who founded and ran the East Village venue for thirty-three years, bitterly fought with his landlords to save it from closing down, but was forced to pack up his grimy club — the sticker-covered bar, legendarily disgusting bathroom and all — last year after he was finally evicted. Rolling Stone will have much more on Kristal and CBGB throughout the day, including a photo gallery documenting the venue’s rich history, but for now, remember the last days of the club Kristal fought so hard to preserve by reflecting on its last days. Click here to read David Fricke’s interview with Patti Smith and reports on the last few shows to ever take place at the spot that helped launch the careers of the Ramones, Talking Heads, Television, Blondie and more.
[Photo: Gries/Getty]


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