Hilly Kristal, R.I.P.
"Hilly Kristal, the founder of legendary New York punk-rock venue CBGB, died Tuesday from complications from lung cancer at age 75. Kristal, who opened the now-defunct venue in 1973 in the then-gritty Bowery neighborhood in Manhattan, is credited with helping to launch the mid-'70s punk revolution with his championing of bands such as the Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, Television and Patti Smith. Following a final show in October 2006, Kristal had discussed plans to take the venue to Las Vegas. 'I am very sorry that Hilly is gone,' Blondie singer Deborah Harry said in a statement released to MTV News. 'He was a big help to Blondie and to the New York music scene for many years. His club CBGB has become a part of New York lore and rock and roll history.' 'Hilly was an integral part of the punk scene from 1974 until his death,' said former Ramones drummer Mark Bell, a.k.a Marky Ramone. 'He was always supportive of the genre and of bands like the Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, and Richard Hell and the Voidoids, and will hold a prominent place in music history. We are all grateful to him and will miss him.'
