RESURRECTING THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS DIVE BAR

CBGB: the music venue that kicked it all off. It’s been 16 years since the birthplace of punk played its last gig. But the legacy lives on.

Epicentre of the New York Punk scene and sanctuary for countercultural misfits – the once humble hole-in-the-wall blues venue went on to change the entire music industry. Originally intended as a platform for less 'anarchical' genres of music, CBGB’s beginnings were quiet. And then Punk got its hands on it.

ORIGINALITY WAS PRIME, TECHNIQUE TOOK SECOND PLACE’ - Hilly Krystal, late Owner and Founder of CBGB

CBGB didn’t care about notoriety. Or status. CBGB didn’t even care if you were any good. As long as you had passion, balls, and above all – originality – you got a slot. Without CBGB, British punk may never have made it to the States – and splinter subcultures like gothic, hardcore and post-punk would have had nowhere to grow.

But then the 90s hit. Hardcore gigs were getting out of control and local gentrification meant more complaints and less bookings. CBGB’s last gig was held in 2006 and saw Queen of New York’s underground scene Patti Smith wrap up 43 years of anarchy. But the spirit, the music, and the glory days will live on forever.