Today, the Music Died

Iconic club owner Hilly Kristal of CBGB fame

If you are "of a certain age" then Hilly Kristal influenced your life, whether you realize it or not.
He opened CBGB in 1973, intending to book Country, Blue Grass, and Blues acts (CBGB - get it?) but punk was emerging and Kristal and the new genre found one another and it was a beautiful match. Because of him, we know the Ramones, Blondie, Iggy Pop, Elvis Costello, the Runaways, Sonic Youth...They all came up through the club scene and CBGB was the club to play.


After years of drama with the landlord, the legendary club closed on October 15, 2006. Hilly lovingly packed up the bar, piece by piece, intent on reopening the club in Vegas. He never got the chance. He passed away today at his home in Manhattan, following a battle with lung cancer. He was 75 years old.


If you are my age, it is acceptable behavior today to take downers and drink until you pass out. Hell, it is expected. And Hilly, if there is a rock & roll heaven, do look up John Peel, enjoy a pint reminiscing with him, and tell him the 40-somethings say "Thanks" - to both of you.

Rock on, irreverently...

I've had this song stuck in my head all day. There is only one remedy for that affliction - I have to pass it on!

Here's to you, John Peel...You rocked us all, and I am so bloody glad I grew up a brat and heard BBC 1 during my formative years. While my friends and cousins stateside were listening to Casey Kasem and America's Top 40 - I was getting my socks rocked by John Peel on BBC Radio 1.

When I deplaned in 1979 in Chicago, for my summer visit with the cousins, I was sporting black spikey hair and a nose ring. (This made me look exactly like a vampire, as I am a natural redhead and the Whitest Woman in the World™). The nose-ring was, like, 20 years early, and I really got some strange looks that summer in small-town Iowa. Which I totally got off on, of course.

I was so changed in the six months that had passed since Christmas that my auntie didn't recognize me and I do believe I have actually witnessed an attack of the vapors.

But TMI already! Besides, you don't care about any of that anyway...so turn the volume up and enjoy the

Best. Bloody. Song. Ever. Recorded!!!

At least a lot of people my age will agree with that sentiment.

And remember, it doesn't count unless you play this one twice...