CBGB was a high energy hole in the wall bar with the capacity for only 350.

There was a loud brutal sound coming from screaming amplifiers and it reeked of beer and urine.

It was an out of the mainstream proving ground for unknown bands, where no cover bands were allowed.

Sounds were fast-paced and catchy tunes, where bands would play 12 to 15 songs in a 17 minute set.

It all began in the Bowery, a down and out neighborhood in the village,  in a former 19th century saloon, on the first floor of the Palace Lodging House.

It had been a dark dive biker bar when owner Hilly Kristal opened CBGB in December of 1973.

CBGB stood for Country, Blue Grass and Blues, which was originally intended to feature its name musical styles, but became a forum for many of New York’s most influential Punk and New Wave bands.  

Bands like the Talking Heads, the Ramones, Patti Smith, Blondie, Guns and Roses, Green Day,  Television, the Beastie Boys, the Police,  the Clash, Elvis Costello, Joan Jett, the Misfits, Sonic Youth, Lou Reed and others.  

It’s where Patti Smith, the Godmother of Punk Rock, a poet, singer, songwriter held court.

The Police played their reggae rock sound first US shows there in October 1978.

In October 15th 2006, Patty Smith gave a 3-hour performance and after 43 years CBGB closed.

This legendary music venue fostered new genres of American music, including Punk and Art rock that defined the culture of downtown Manhattan in the 1970s and that still resonates today.

In 2013 the location of CBGB was added to the National Registry of historic places.

The former club is now occupied by a rock clothing and record store and remains a pilgrimage site for legions of music fans.