CBGB Timeline of Highlights:
1973: Hilly Kristal opens CBGB COUNTRY BLUE GRASS BLUES in December/ Con Fullum, a country band from Maine is the first band to play.
1974: Terry Ork , Televison’s manager, asks Hilly to book the band on a Sunday night, since that was CBGB’s dead night.
1974: Ramones play CBGB for the first time on August 16.
1975: CBGB hosts the “Unsigned Band Festival. A month long festival featuring the Talking Heads, The Shirts, Television and the Ramones.
1975: The Talking Heads play their first show at CBGB’s, opening for the Ramones.
1977: The Police make their US debut in November. Attendance was sparse.
1984: Spinal Tap — “Smell the Glove” tour.
1987: Guns and Roses play an acoustic set at the Record Canteen.
1988: Tom Tom Club sets up for a sold out two-week residency, featuring nightly special guests: Lou Reed, Debbie Harry, Dee Dee Ramone, and Jerry Harrison.
1989: Sunday Hardcore matinees are suspended due to violence.
1991: Pearl Jam plays secret show for Fan Club.
1992: Dave Matthews Band gets record deal from CBGB gig. Hilly Kristal was so impressed at the sound check he calls all the major labels. Only RCA showed up.
1992 Nirvana cancels show due to $300 door/security expense.
1992: Tool opens for the Rollins Band.
1993: CBGB Celebrates 20 years with a month-long celebration featuring: The Cramps, Anthrax, The B52’s, David Byrne, Joann Jett, Living Colour and Blues Traveler.
1999: Joey Ramone plays CBGB for the last time at the “Cyberpunk Blitz” launching his official Ramones website.
2002: Alan Jackson brings CBGB back to its roots with a sold out show.
2006: Patti Smith plays CBGB’s last show on October 15.
2010: CBGB Radio launches.
i believe it was 1989 when i mixed the B52′s first live public performance of “Love Shack” at CBGB. it was a show the day of the “Channel Z” video shoot there.
Comment by robin danar — February 2, 2010 @ 4:27 pm
Gawds….Keep on keepin’ it real.
So many memories….so few brain cells…
Comment by Rev. Lou Mascitello — February 16, 2010 @ 6:59 pm