CBGB OMFUG: 1973 - 2006

The final show at CBGB’s, the infamous Bowery hole-in-the-wall that spawned the likes of Patti Smith, the Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, Television and many others, was held Sunday, October 15th. The club had lost its lease (and subsequent court battles) to the Bowery Residents’ Committee, a homeless shelter that owns the property. The club (whose name stands for Country Bluegrass Blues and Other Music for Uplifting Gormandizers) was founded in 1973 by Hilly Kristal as a country venue but ended up becoming the host for an angry backlash against corporate rock which later became known as punk.

Chris Stein and Debbie Harry of Blondie performed an acoustic set but the highlight of the evening (said to be broadcast live on SIRIUS radio) were two sets by Patti Smith (pictured above) and band which included guests Richard Lloyd (of Television) and Red Hot Chili Pepper’s Flea (who turned 44 at midnight). The final song of the night was “Elegie” featuring a remembrance for many of the club’s stage denizens who have since died. Smith refused the temptation to get nostalgic stating “CBGB is a state of mind”. After the show had concluded she passed out black buttons reading “What remains is future.”