Hilly Kristal, owner and founder of CBGB, writes a brief history of the club that for the past thirty five years has become synonymous with underground music. CBGB.com presents this history as it is written in sequential installments.  

Installment Vol. 2, Page 1

That first year was an exercise in persistence and a trial in patience. My determination to book only musicians who played their own music instead of copying others, was indomitable. ORIGINALITY (to me) WAS PRIME, TECHNIQUE TOOK SECOND PLACE.

The height of the Disco era brought an increasing dissatisfaction among rock musicians and their fans. The formula driven Disco music and the long drawn out solos and other complexities in much of the rock of the late sixties and early seventies encouraged a lot of disgruntled rock enthusiasts to seek the refreshing rhythms and sounds of simple (BACK TO BASICS) high energy rock and roll, which seemed to take shape right here at CBGB. We called this music "street rock" and later "PUNK"- "come as you are and do your own thing" rock and roll.

Since almost every one of the bands were relatively unknown, we did not give them a guarantee, but gave them most of the door monies to cover their expenses. CBGB kept the bar. Hopefully they would see the value of building a fan base. The more people that came and paid to see them the more they made. It was not until sometime in 1976 that the club started paying for itself.

  

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Vol  I, Vol II, Vol III,  Vol IV, Vol V and Vol VI