The future of CBGB’s is unfortunately looking very grim. The NYC punk landmark’s lease expired last night at midnight, and the club’s landlord has made it clear that it would not be renewed.
In a statement to the Associated Press, the Bowery Residents’ Committee’s executive director Muzzy Rosenblatt said the he “believes it is in the best interest of our clients — the homeless and neediest New Yorkers — to sever this relationship,” He also called for the club to “vacate the premises both voluntarily and expeditiously.”
CBGB’s owner, Hilly Kristal, hasn’t given up hope yet. He has booked bands throughout September, saying that they intend to stay. He said: “This is not a eulogy. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t come to an understanding.”
So what is next? The Bowery Residents’ Committee could evict CBGB’s as early as today. Steven Van Zandt, who led a rally to support the birthplace of punk, said that they are not going down without a fight. He said: “”If the eviction proceedings start tomorrow, which I hope it doesn’t, we’ll fight it in the courts.”
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