just saw him on the street a month ago…
August 29, 2007
CBGB's founder Hilly Kristal R.I.P.
PRNEWSWIRE | Read Full Story >
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).
― Veronica Moser, Wednesday, 29 August 2007 14:41 (eighteen years ago)
he was super nice to us when we played there and was every bit th cranky old sage w pearls of wisdom..miss ya hilly
― danbunny, Wednesday, 29 August 2007 15:05 (eighteen years ago)
HILLY KRISTAL, NUR!!!
srsly tho.
First, Tony Wilson, then HK. Yeah, good innings and all that, and I can't say I'd pick him out of an ID parade (hell, he might actually look like Billy), but that's one fascinating and cool life lead.
RIP!
― Mark G, Wednesday, 29 August 2007 16:43 (eighteen years ago)
Never went in the club til '82, but he was always there.
― Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 29 August 2007 19:31 (eighteen years ago)
He was always so nice in his aloof sort of way...even when all I did was hang around and get free drinks from my bartender friends. What a guy.
― Arthur, Thursday, 30 August 2007 02:06 (eighteen years ago)
Was he a smoker, or was his cancer a gift from his patrons?
― Fastnbulbous, Thursday, 30 August 2007 03:57 (eighteen years ago)
I saw some of the best bands of my life there. And many of the worst - often on the same bill.
I interviewed him once for a college paper I did in the mid-80s about NYC's drinking laws (which had bumped up the minimum age from 19 to 21 - just in time for me to turn 19). I called the club, and he answered the phone. I figured he'd be too busy to deal with me at that moment, but he ended talking for a good half an hour.
― mike a, Thursday, 30 August 2007 13:42 (eighteen years ago)
I saw him once, walking that creaky old dog of his (when they discuss pet owners looking like their pets, Hilly and that mutt are exhibit A) and it occured to me that I saw him in the club many a time and obviously respected the legacy he created but never actually talked to him. So I approached him and just said thanks. He kind of shrugged and mumbled something like "sure," and shuffled off, aloof but in a sweet way.
I saw him on the CBGBs panel at last year's CMJ and he looked really bad. This is unsurprising but still extremely sad. First the club, now the owner... Shit.
― NYCNative, Thursday, 30 August 2007 13:47 (eighteen years ago)