CBGBs closing by Lezah

Yup, it's true. The legendary CBGBs in New York's Bowery district, one of the few places that would book punk acts when they first came out, will be at the end of their lease August 31/05 - and simple economics make it appear as though they won't be signing a new lease.

The club opened 32 years ago in what legendary singer Patty Smith described as the 'skidrow district', and at that time they paid about $600 a month in rent. That price has jumped to an astronomical $40,000 a month (with an additional $80,000 a year required for insurance). Owner Hilly Krystal is looking at options; there is a 'Save CBGBs' petition out there, and individuals would like him to open a CBGBs in both New Jersey and California.

Time will only tell what the outcome will be...

image by http://www.gratefuljoe.com/cbgb.html