12 CBGB Shows That Made Punk and Rock History

[@rocdocs]

LOOKING FOR BAD BRAINS? PLASMATICS? ETC? Part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKHUq3hnpM5ojassi=GvbpO7ifuV8FkZTC

[@dougward1969]

No mention of Bad Brains?! This list is incomplete without them

[@rocdocs]

Part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKHUq3hnpM5ojassi=GvbpO7ifuV8FkZTC

[@jorgesaopedro]

yeah i was about to write that!!!

[@JismIsm-en4kz]

See my comment above !

[@55tallanh]

I lived in DC during this time, and lived in a house where we hosted the Bad Brains in our living room when they couldn't find gigs elsewhere in town. Those were interesting days. I too was looking for a Bad Brains mention here...

[@rustygoldfanatic8830]

Probably one of the better bands to play there.

[@ibethebandu.a.morrison653]

I played CBGBs with four different bands between 1977 to 1989. Hilly put my band Murphys Law on Halloween four years running

[@rocdocs]

A legend has entered the chat. Thank you for commenting!!!!

[@mg-ThisHandleIsSoStupid]

Always wished I had seen Murphy's Law. We had our own little CBGS in Lawrence, KS. The Outhouse. Saw a ton of amazing shows there growing up.

[@ibethebandu.a.morrison653]

Besides CBs and Max's NYC had a plethora of places to go see bands back then. Irving Plaza, the Ritz, A7, the World, the Pyramid, Danceteria, Rock Hotel, Studio 54, Wetlands, the Continental. The scene was an incubator of talent

[@edward2448]

I saw Murphy's Law open for 999 and once for the Beastie Boys

[@jaydeem1264]

Murphys Law? Like THAT Murphys Law? Dude, that's awesome!

[@epicmeade]

In January of 1989 I was in a band called White Trash Debutantes that was asked to play Joey Ramones Birthday bash at the Ritz. So we booked a gig a few days earlier at CBGB’s. We had gotten the Ritz gig because our singer had been a close friend of the Ramones since their first national tour in 1976. About 15 minutes before we went on the front doors opened. And in walked Joey Ramone, Stiv Bator and Cheetah Chrome from the Dead Boys, and Clem Burke from Blondie. Needless to say I was in CBGB heaven. I still have Stiv And Cheatah’s autographs on my guitar from that night. About 12 years later I became friends with Scott Kempner of the Dictators. And he would tell me stories of their early tours with AC/DC, Thin Lizzie, and Blue Oyster Cult. I remember him telling me of that CBGB’s AC/DC gig you listed here. At the time we played there I was working at a venue called the Chatterbox in San Francisco. And that night I traded my Chatterbox t-shirt to one of the bartenders in exchange for her CBGBs t-shirts. I still have that CBGB’s shirt. It’s one of my prized possessions.

[@hernanSXD.3880]

I remermber you song Ms jane from The unpunk album. Cool song. Cheers!!

[@RayLabs]

I played in Temple of Greed out of New Orleans. In 1987 we showed up at CBGB and went in and setup our equipment, played 5 songs and left. We didn't have a scheduled gig and no one asked any questions. 5 people were there. It was a hoot. After our quick set we went to another bar that we had a gig at.

[@rocdocs]

Ray that is a great story!

[@TrekCompsport]

that's gangster 😎

[@johnpacella9519]

If you enjoy the late Alan Rickman, checkout his movie: CBGB. Its great.

[@RamonaJan]

At least you can say you played CB's and good band name, btw.

[@jorgecaicedo1982]

What years were y'all active in new Orleans? and did y'all do any shows w/ Shellshock, Graveyard Rodeo or Red Rockers?

[@titaniumpecker]

I played in a band called the Psychofonics. We never put out any records but we played at CBGB four times in the years 1985 and 1986. I recall that one gig we warmed up for a band called "Life In A Blender." It was a blast and a thrill to perform on the same stage as Blondie, Talking Heads, and The Ramones. One thing that people may not know about CBGB is that it had an excellent sound system. For five dollars the sound man would make a cassette copy of your set. The quality of a CBGB live recording was better than most studio recordings.

[@rocdocs]

Wow that’s cool, I didn’t know that

[@seanmccabe4758]

I wish I could say that man! Very cool!

[@Billy-ds5sl]

I now your band and i never been at the CBGB hahaha big hug

[@downallyourstreets]

Wow, make you wonder why any punk/Rockn’roll/garage band, would sign with a soul sucking record label that would take the multi-thousand dollar studio fees out of the band’s royalties, when for 5 bucks you could get a studio quality live recording and sell on your own record label? Cool info to know

[@LijaMoore]

Yeah the sound system was badass and the sound guy was brilliant, we all got tapes and I transfered them to digital years later and it's great quality

[@michaelroach1577]

Best sound system hands down. Crazy hardcore shows inside crazy shit going on outside on the block. The Bowery late 80’smid90’s. Great time in my life. CB’s RIP

[@markcrume]

I saw Wendy O. Williams and the Plasmatics. Wendy was wearing whipped cream or shaving foam for a top and the guitarist or bassist was wearing a nurse's dress. Many of my friends auditioned there as well.

[@tracistrange224]

That would be Richie Stotts in the nurse's dress

[@johnsain]

Saw her New Year's Eve 1979 at Hurrah!

[@edward2448]

I remember seeing Ritchie Shotts on a NYC bus once with his blue mohawk haircut, no dress. Saw them at the Pier in NYC when Wendy smashed up the Police car with a sledge hammer ⚒️. Also in a bar on Staten Island called The Factory.

[@edward2448]

@@johnsain Hurrah was awesome

[@OakleyMoodie]

Saw Wendy and the Plasmatics at "My Father's Place" in 1980. W.O.W wore 3 pieces of black electrical tape (strategically placed), and they cut a live guitar in half with a REAL chainsaw! Holy Shit!

[@bookmanjb]

I started going to CB''s around '75. I saw Patti there when she recited her poetry with a music background, usually Lenny K on guitar, Richard Sohl on keyboards, and Jay Dee Daugherty on drums (he was at that time the regular drummer with Lance Loud's group The Mumps but left for Patti's band soon after). Patti's readings were PACKED and she was just amazing. I spent many a night at CB's between '75 & '80. Fun times.

[@JB-hl1qx]

CBGB deserved the same respect as the whiskey a go go .. the fact it wasn't preserved is criminal

[@groovingranny5452]

Even worse, the "reopend" it in Vegs.

[@eatassonthefirstdate]

New York aint very sentimental 🤣

[@JB-hl1qx]

@@eatassonthefirstdate very true

[@The-Contractor]

In truth you could just put a Port-O-Potty in any alley in NYC and invite anyone who could make noise on a music instrument to play and resurrect CBGB's "atmosphere." Spent many a night there from '75 to '81.

[@karlgreenfeld6378]

It was much easier to get a gig at CBs, than the Whiskey. Basically, any sort of functional band could get a slot at CBs.

[@joeschlapik913]

I played both CBs and Max's from 1980-1981 with my old band, The Kelvins (our single, "Dance Dance Dance" b/w "Look but Don't Touch is on KZbin). The second most exciting moment of my life was when my bass player called me and got me out of bed one night to tell me we were playing our first gig ever at CBs for the Sunday audition showcase. That was an even bigger deal for me because it was my first club gig ever; I was eighteen at the time.

[@rocdocs]

Cool story, thanks Joe!!!

[@RamonaJan]

I played CBGB's in the 1970's and '80's in two bands that I founded, Comateens and Dizzy and the Romilars. By day, I worked as a recording engineer with Talking Heads and Ramones. In fact, I am little Ramona, about whom the Ramones wrote their song, Ramona. I also worked extensively with Eno and played on Music for Films, Alternative-3. Never heard Max's referred to as Maxwell's Kansas City until I watched this video. Oh, and I played Max's, too.

[@downallyourstreets]

So you never saw the sign out front Max’s Kansas City?!

[@Astro.slugs1]

Cap

[@brainseagle]

Worked there too never heard anyone refer to it as maxwell’s

[@Proudmule1]

LICK!

[@titaniumpecker]

Hi Ramona. I would love to hear more about your experiences with The Ramones and Talking Heads.

[@bobafettuccine666]

Loved, loved, loved CBGBs. Played and went there more times than I can count. Always a great time and saw some legends play there. There will never be another like it.

[@brianrowan3584]

The band I was in played there in May of 2002. Getting to perform on the same stage where so many legends started out was an experience that I'll never forget.

[@rocdocs]

I bet!

[@Paul-um1zw]

I played there in a band that opened for the Pixies in Jan 1988. (The Wooden Soldiers)They were good, but I would not have guessed the would make it big. Got to meet Joey and Frank who stood out in a good way as grounded and down to earth.

[@rocdocs]

Kick ass!

[@curly_wyn]

Other notable 70s shows at CBGB include those from the revolutionary synth duo Suicide, but I hesitate to list them because even tho they would be very influential to all future punk/rock/electronic groups, they were extremely polarizing, and really, they were always more of a Max’s Kansas City act.

[@betsyduane3461]

Tommy was already in the Ramones when they first played CBGB. On January 28, 1974, Joey, Dee Dee, Johnny, and Tommy Ramone first got together at Performance Studios in NYC.

[@davidmarchman3096]

I went to CBGB's for New Year's Eve in 1979. Saw The The, Kinky Friedman and John Cale. An amazing show.

[@ForARide]

Yeah, John Cale was known for his outrageous shows arround that time, until he sobered up in the mid 80s.

[@sgtrock6213]

My father was a staple at this venue he recorded on cassette tape hundreds if not thousands of bands...I'm pretty sure he taped every Patty Smith show there as well as many many others..His name was Jim Brawley...some of his tapes are in the Rock n roll hall of fame...I went with him a few times it was crazy...johnny thunder and the heartbreakers .Chinese Rocks....lol

[@rocdocs]

Wow that’s incredible! Did he ever release any of the show recordings?

[@sgtrock6213]

@@rocdocs No he did not like bootleggers...and all the bands knew that and that was why he was allowed to record....he usually gave copies to the bands....but I would not doubt that some of them released those recordings as live stuff....

[@waynebrissette9459]

@@sgtrock6213 : When I did live recordings, I did the exact same thing. I'm thanked in several bands CDs and every once in a while one of them will come back to me to ask if I still had copies because they had lost their copy, and in most cases bands have disbanded or changed members. But creating bootlegs kills me, the music never belonged to me but the bands and they could do whatever they wanted with my recordings.

[@sgtrock6213]

@@waynebrissette9459 Its the honorable thing to do and I applaud you for that...did you record in NYC?

[@waynebrissette9459]

@@sgtrock6213 :No, Austin TX mostly.

[@GhostRanger5060]

The Dead boys deserve their own segment. Their recorded live album still holds up well after 45 years. Did any band come closer to the James Williamson era Iggy and the Stooges sound than the Dead Boys? I know of none. #blessings

[@skunk69x29]

Pure Hell

[@5783greg]

Me and my group of friends from the Buckeye Road area of Cleveland made many trips to CBGB's to see our neighborhood friend Johnny "Blitz" play drums with the Dead Boys.

[@robertcook2680]

You say, "Their recorded live album still holds up well after 45 years." What live album? Do you mean their debut album, "Young, Loud, and Snotty?" That IS a great album, one of the very best from that time and place, but it was not recorded live in concert. It was recorded in the studio and produced by Genya Ravan.

[@GhostRanger5060]

@@robertcook2680 "Night of the Living Dead Boys" is their live album, kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpjZdnumidubgpY

[@GhostRanger5060]

Night of the Living Dead Boys was recorded live at CBGBs in 1979 and came out in 1981. It's a great but controversial live recording that Stiv Bators tried to sabotage, requiring him to do a voiceover so it could be releasable. Google it. I had the original LP once... decades ago.

[@ikemachamer7904]

I played at CBGBS many times with three different bands over years and often attended the Sunday hardcore shows.

[@georgetaxi8179]

Can't forget some of the great hardcore bands like Bad Brains, Agnostic Front, Cromags, and Murphys Law.

[@rocdocs]

Watch for your comment in part 2

[@yankees29]

One of the Murphy’s Law guys left a comment on this video.

[@RoughRaiders13]

I grew up in northeast NJ and went to a bunch of shows there but my favorite was the Dave Brockie Experience, which was 3/5 of GWAR with no costumes for those who don't know. Before they went on someone behind me asked if I had a lighter. When I turned around it was Dave Brockie himself with a bowl of weed in his hand. I said yeah and pulled a bic out of my pocket and he said "wanna smoke this bowl with me?" I had been a GWAR fan since I was 12 so hell yeah I smoked a bowl with Dave. Haha..... That guy, and that whole band in general were all always so cool to their fans. Definitely a memory I will think about forever. RIP Dave

[@rocdocs]

Great story RR!!!

[@matthewgiuliano7498]

I worked/hung out at the Palladium just up the Bowery/3rd Avenue from CBGB’s in the late 70’s. That was the first stop all of those great bands made on their way to success after earning their chops at CBGB and other clubs. I saw The Police at the Palladium the week their second album was released. When Sting announced he was doing a song off of the new album, walking on the moon, the crowd cheered, and Sting was taken aback. I was sitting in the third row and the look on his face was filled with surprise that they knew the song already, and joy that they knew the song already.

[@sandyhanson6082]

I played CBs three times. Twice with The Adolescents. Once with 22Jacks. Great memories.

[@r.p.9780]

SANDY!!!!! And you rocked em all!

[@jpp1023]

Thanks for posting this perfect doc We played CBGBs twice and they were the most sincere and kind staff we ever worked with on the East Coast

[@rocdocs]

John, thanks for watching and commenting! The doc is far from perfect but I’m trying to improve with each one! Beatles up next

[@Void7.4.14]

I was so heartbroken when I heard they were closing the club. Still am to be honest.

[@cinpa2968]

I only went there once… smelled like stale beer and a urinal. It was an off night and not much happening. I was a regular at The Ritz in the late 70s through early 80s and saw some amazing shows and was usually belly up to the stage. Thin Lizzy, Hot Tuna, Public Image Ltd, Men at Work, Chuck Berry (shoulder to shoulder with Keith Richards-super down to earth guy), Four Out of Five Doctors, John Cafferty, Gang of Four, The Alarm, The Shirts, The Buzzcocks, Adam and the Ants, Billy Idol, Echo and the Bunnymen, Stray Cats… soooo many more…

[@paolodeep8459]

Played there about 20 years ago. Drove from Connecticut in a snow storm. I think there was about six people in the place. Still had a good time.

[@James-wj8eq]

Richard Hell and the Voidoids, Suicide both formidable live acts. To this day, my best live experiences ever!

[@rocdocs]

Thanks James!

[@matthewgiuliano7498]

If I remember correctly, it was a long time ago, I saw Suicide and the Runaways open up for the Ramones at the Palladium.

[@James-wj8eq]

@Matthew Giuliano Jeezo! That would've been a great gig man! I wish I'd had the chance to witness the Runaways, legendary!

[@curly_wyn]

@@James-wj8eq Yeah! Suicide had just come back to CBGB after being banned since 1972 for not drinking. It was their first proper show their. They opened for the Ramones and they played to..uh..loud boos and violent animosity from the crowd! In other words, they nailed it ;)

[@WillN2Go1]

Good video. Saw Richard Hell and the Voidoids there 1979. By then it was almost the nostalgia tour. Being from Detroit, Punk never seemed new, just New York City theatricalized. I went to CBGBs another night, James White and the Blacks. This I remember as really good. Back in Detroit long before I got to New York: Mitch Ryder, of course Iggy and the Stooges, Destroy All Monsters (an Ann Arbor art/punk band with (later notable gallery artists) Mike Kelley, Jim Shaw, Niagara. Niagara often wore an longline bra on stage. I think she's where Madonna got a lot of her early ideas. And when you think of Detroit's MC5 as THE protopunk band, you have to note similarities with what The Who were doing (more tamely and a couple years earlier.) I think this about sums up the beginnings of Punk Rock. CBGBs is like the first Mexican restaurant in South Carolina, those of us who live in the southwest (and just visiting) were amused by all the hullabaloo, but it's a good place. And for the record - I'm an authority on not much of this. Read Legs McNeil's Please Kill Me, which I also think is one the best history books period. (This I am an authority on.) It really captures the whole punk scene as it developed. At CBGBs I might've paid $5 at the door, but I was never ever able to buy a beer.

[@rocdocs]

Thanks much for this/ really interesting

[@ETBrenner]

Psycho Killer was already getting a lot of airplay on the punkier college FM stations up in Boston where I was going to school, so when I was back in the NY metro area for 1976 summer break, I dragged a date to CBGB's to see Talking Heads perform. I remember clearly that grimy room with all those ancient neon beer signs with seemingly inches of accumulated dirt on them - actually, not all that different from the decor and level of cleanliness in Boston's then-premier punk rock bar, the Rat. 😀 Between New York and Boston, wow did I get to see a whole bunch of legendary acts in the 1970s!

[@rawgab4439]

Yo Broo ....The Ratskeller ...Legend

[@ronrimsite6948]

Boston had some amazing bands then. DMZ, the Real Kids, La Peste, the Neighborhoods and a bunch more deserving renewed attention.

[@JoelGalvan-w6y]

There was a dead wino on the alley entrance., Riga Oris had set in.

[@ewmlloyd]

I was too young to watch Richard play with Television at CBGB, but I did get to see him headline solo there in 1998. OMF (no U) G, the place was sensationally dilapidated! The archaeological sediment of layer upon layer of never-removed handbills, the ever-decrepit bathrooms, the stage that I'm surprised supported the weight of the band and their gear... it was _glorious_ ! I only got to go there that once, but it was unforgettable. On a somber note, I'm assuming you locked the script for this before the news came out, so let me say it here: RIP Tom Verlaine.

[@l.salisbury1253]

Also the Plasmatics' early CBGBs shows should be included on this list!

[@rocdocs]

Noted for part 2!

[@toothbrush5190]

I saw them there. It was too loud. And I was outside

[@lamper2]

@@toothbrush5190 My ears rang worse than the Dead Boys show i saw at CB'S right after Elvis died-when Plasmatics played in a theater here in Scranton! I was in the Balcony back room too!

[@thereforeayam]

...the challenge would have been getting Wendy O's 8k timbre across to the crowd...fyi (I assisted an A-lister soundman in Canada, & had a band called Silent 80's)

[@JismIsm-en4kz]

Hell Yea !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TheCousinEddie]

Thanks for making this video. It's cool to hear the background and stories from that era. What an amazing place NYC was in the mid-70's, especially for music. CBGB's was the Mecca for Punk and introduced the world to many great bands. Subscribed!

[@rocdocs]

Irish Nachos thank you! Your kind words mean the world. :)

[@karaamundson3964]

💯

[@ggggglllll7129]

Went to CBGB’s many times but most of them were to see the Plasmatics. Wendy O Williams sported her famous electrical tape fashion mostly being half naked in whatever she wore. I have a picture somewhere of my friend in the bathroom, an experience in itself. I’m so sorry they closed but then again, it was a magical exciting time that is gone and will most likely never be repeated again. I’m so lucky to have been born at the right time to be a part of it.

[@hellfire8883]

Glad you at least mentioned The Dead boys they had legendary shows there. They deserved a bit more love though. They even acted as house band. Even though the band didn't last long they still were highly influential.

[@rocdocs]

Check out episode two! It delves more into them

[@janotse]

Bad Brains, and Living Colour need to be on this list.

[@rocdocs]

Noted for part 2

[@rocdocs]

Working on part 2. Keep an eye out for your comment.

[@rocdocs]

WATCH PART 2 NOW- 17 MORE CBGB SHOWS kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKHUq3hnpM5ojas 😍😍💀❤‍🩹🎸🎸🥁🎤 & UNUSUAL PUNK RECORDS you need kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6XYcoioa7SKpJI 🔉🔉🔊🔊🏴‍☠🏁🚩🏴 NOTE: I apologize for the errors in this video, I will do better moving forward. Keep it positive my friends! 😅

[@BlackMan614]

I played in a band which opened for some punk/new wave bands in 1980. The place was in a bad part of town (at the time) and was a dive. All I remember is one of the Ramones was there and did lines off my synth road case. And yeah... when we played there were like 15 people in the bar... maybe 25 by the time we finished. And getting back to where we stayed near NYU at midnight was an adventure.

[@rocdocs]

Can we connect? I want to ask about this!

[@kcphotographystudios8836]

My band played there many times and went to many shows. Was sad when it closed but time goes on. This help relive many fond memories. Thanks!

[@rocdocs]

THanks KC!

[@supergristmill6195]

I went to CBGB's three times in the 1970's. Each time was to see the Dead Boys. Each time I saw them the place was packed. Their shows were amazing. And the downstairs bathrooms were always . . . fun.

[@rocdocs]

Nice! Did you take any photos?

[@supergristmill6195]

@@rocdocs No I wish I did. Especially of the bathrooms because it was customary for the performers to sign the metal doors, walls and partitions down there. I bet somebody must have saved them though. I can't imagine someone throwing something that historical in the trash.

[@jeffmendes8761]

Hey, also saw the Dead Boys there in September of ‘78 and March of ‘79. First time was the best and an incredible show.

[@GMTPoet]

Memorable CBGBs shows I saw: John Cale (2), Plasmatics, Richard Lloyd, Snakefinger, Dead Boys (2).

[@paulnickels5362]

My band the Backdoor Men played there in 1980. Though its heyday was a bit past, it was a real thrill for us to follow in the footsteps of Cleveland's own Dead Boys and hit that legendary stage. Amazingly, the crowd liked us. Made our young musical lives.

[@fredWaxBeans11111]

Awesome! As long as the place still smelled of piss, it still had the same vibe of the 70s I'm sure 😊

[@ronrimsite6948]

Do you know of the Swedish garage revival band by the same name? They put out at least one single around '86.

[@paulnickels5362]

@@ronrimsite6948 I sure do. They were good. We beat them to the name by about a decade, but we were never ones to make trouble. Look up our album, Mohawk Combover.

[@keithstern1593]

We were all there to see The Damned that night; very excited to have our first act from UK. Dead Boys opened with a spectacular set and Damned seemed like milquetoast after them.

[@necromaya]

@@keithstern1593 i heard about that gig. Even the Damned was impressed.

[@fstarr9923]

Worked in the music industry in the early-mid 80’s. Went scouting at CBGB’s a lot. Good times!

[@rocdocs]

F, whats your best show memory of that time?

[@Proudmule1]

Lickable!

[@edward2448]

Did you ever see a band there called, Anal Sprays.? I was the singer. We were awful but had fun.

[@johnsain]

Ever drop in at Great Gildersleeves?

[@raymondpatterson5218]

atta girl

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

Growing up in Detroit, we had some iconic venues and wild crowds. I feel like a gig at CBGBs back in the day would've been INSANE.

[@rocdocs]

Definitely one for the scrap book!

[@eatassonthefirstdate]

I mean at least u guys got Harpo's? That's a big deal man, and im from Clevo😅 and The Loving Touch is an AMAZING tiny venue, along with the blocks of bars n clubs surrounding it. That's in Sterling heights but it's still the Detroit venue for a bunch of tours owadays.

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

@@eatassonthefirstdate oh man, I've been to some WILD shows at Harpos through the years!! I have a friend who was a server at The Loving Touch for many years. Very cool venue.

[@scottgajewski3925]

I'm glad you mentioned beastie boys and Reagan youth but agnostic front murphys law the cro mags and countless other NYHC bands kept cbgb open throughout the 80's and I saw other people mention the bad brains...their 3 show stint in dec 82 is legendary

[@rocdocs]

Scott- working on part 2. Keep an eye out for your comment.

[@MrGTO-ze7vb]

Thank you for this fantastic history of CBGB's . I caught many shows here from 1977 to 1979..!

[@mikezazworsky]

Was lucky enough to see Patti Smith at CBGB's on Halloween night, 1997. Such an incredible show. By that point in time the legend of CBGB's was 20 years old, and music had changed so much, but it still felt like an event seeing Patti & the band playing on that stage. Also saw random bands (nobody of note) there at various points in 1997 & 1998. Always made a point of talking to Hilly anytime I was there, he was a very cool guy, laid back, very dry sense of humor, didn't say a whole lot, but was always very nice to me.

[@rocdocs]

Cool thanks for the comment Mike!!!

[@Microtonal_Cats]

My band Bomb played CBGBs 3 times. One time was opening for Richie Stotts' (Plasmatics) solo band. This was 1989. Joey Ramone was in the audience at that one but he was surrounded by people trying to talk to him.

[@rocdocs]

Wow

[@Microtonal_Cats]

@@rocdocs Fun fact: the first time we played there, we had to play free. It was an "audition", even though we were on tour from San Francisco and had an album out.

[@adelamoon]

My friend and I used to go in the early 80's. I saw the Beastie Boys play there, could have been that show. We used to see five bands for about five dollars. We saw a lot of punk bands at other places, I saw the Dead Kennedys three times. Many, many others throughout the city.

[@stpeteaustin]

Yeah, you missed the Bad Brains show in 1982. The Bad Brains were one of the most influential bands when it came to hardcore. The first Breakdown show in I think 1987 also changed the course of NYHC.

[@davidmurray5399]

I saw Bad Brains at First Avenue in Minneapolis. I bought one of their cassette tapes, still have it!

[@marktait2371]

yeh believe was same year went to show much more rva we bought cassettes also then again later on mid 80s few weeks ago saw new vinly from 81 9.30 club indie label was pretty expensive 30 dollars but worth having should have paid for next time i go to indie store probably gone i had 2 or 3 cassetes bur long gone

[@lazoolazoo3771]

You are correct about the restrooms being horrific. When my band auditioned there in 1980 I had to use the restroom, and went down there, and gagged. It was ridiculously awful. I ended up looking for another restroom and found one in a gas station nearby. But man, the restrooms at CBGB was the total dive of the universe 🤢

[@rocdocs]

Like even the poops were grossed out.

[@RIFFRAFF104]

Yup. Absolutely disgusting. BYOTP

[@keithstern1593]

When I first started going, in early 1974, the toilet was unenclosed and visible from much of the venue.

[@robertdefilippo547]

SUMMER '77--The Runaways--Blondie 4 nites in a row--that's the summer!!

[@rocdocs]

SICK Robert! Wow!

[@AppleMan531]

I was at the last Joey Ramone Christmas show at CBGB's with special guests Ronnie Spector, Dick Manitoba, and The Independents. Great show. I took a lot of personal photos of that show. I was there with my late friend David Peel. I was also performing with David Peel and The Lower East Side at a John Lennon Birthday show at CBGB's. There's a You tube video of that event. Another favorite show for me at CBGB's was The Star Spangles. Great Band!

[@rocdocs]

Wow! You were at some incredible shows!

[@AmbassadorJenks7086]

I was almost a permanent fixture there between 1974 & 1986. Played there 4 times it was awesome so Sereal. Had to leave town got into some trouble! oops When I heard they were shutting down I flew in for the last night from London. It was outstanding!!! to this day I still miss it and dream about CBGB.

[@RIFFRAFF104]

I played there in 1988 with my band Riff Raff. We were from NJ. We rented a bus and brought 60 people with us. Had a keg and a quarter pound with us for the road trip. We had a good set, but Hilly said we were too metal for the place. Anyway, I was there.. Good times. That place had a great live recording system.

[@rocdocs]

Steven thanks for that great story!

[@JeffTullock-yx1hd]

I saw a band called Riff Raff in St. Louis. Trio. I had 2 smokin chicks with me. Little over 20 people. If that was your band you guys fucking rocked. Played all covers I think. Can’t remember the club name.

[@Poonkasfook]

We played there in 95-6-7 ish! Obvs was a bit of a blur but have great memories of being there, and am very pleased to be able to say we did, (the graffiti in the bog/dressing room/ was a whole history lesson in CBGB’s ❤❤

[@rocdocs]

That’s awesome! Thanks 🙏

[@TomGargiuloArtandFilm-fu2hv]

My introduction to the 1974 'NY ' scene goes back to a lonely xerox poster pasted to a wall on the east side of 2nd Avenue somewhere between 1st and 3rd streets. It was April, 1974 and I'd been walking to an 'appointment' nearby and spotted the minimalist poster that said: "TELEVISION IS THE BEST BAND IN NYC" and 'signed' by DAVID BOWIE as it advertised their gig at CBGB. I guessed that the Bowie claim was all hype but I admired the hutzpah of the band and artist that made that poster so I kept my eyes open for the club and gigs! I was not disappointed and became a fan of Richard Hell's persona as a self-invented punk creation. I never expected everything that followed. I'd already been through the euphoria, depression and death of 1971-1973 NY glam scene that centered around the NY Dolls and the Mercer Arts Center and later Max's Kansas City. Why did punk succeed and the Dolls fail? The Dolls were "Too Much Too Soon" but when the new NY scene arrived it reflected the distrust, depression and anger that many had toward society and its institutions. It allowed people to vent that anger and mistrust. And, It did not follow the rock star mode that embodied the glam scene. It was real and approachable. Anyone could do it, anyone could play a guitar, write songs and sing them. And, that's exactly what happened. Tom Gargiulo

[@rocdocs]

Tom- what a great comment! Thanks so much for posting your experience. I appreciate you watching and taking the time to share so thoughtfully.

[@czmisfitsfan]

I regret not visiting CBGB when I lived in NJ 20 years ago. Thanks for this. Wish some of these shows were available on video.

[@rocdocs]

A few are- check the description for links to a few of them! Thank you for watching and your comment.

[@rocdocs]

If you have ever been to CBGB please comment and tell us about it!

[@cambarr6933]

It smelled like pee.

[@ronrimsite6948]

What do you wanna know? I went every weekend since the Heartbreakers first appearance up to when all the good bands got signed and left a few years later.

[@rocdocs]

@@johnjones3714 WOW INSANE story! Thanks for sharing!!

[@corkpop8401]

Wendy of the Plasmatics chainsawing a jap strat in half. The twenty people there really didn’t care

[@vegancheatday2726]

Mixed a band I was touring with, Tragic Mulatto from SF, late 80s. We headlined, blew my mind that headliners went on after 3am in NYC. . .was so much fun!

[@johnleston2227]

We all used to hit CBs on Sundays for the NY Hardcore matinees....Gorilla Biscuits, Agnostic Front, Straight Ahead, Sick Of It All, sooooo many others. 86,87

[@hhale]

I was there April 2001. Joey Ramone has died recently and there was still a makeshift memorial to him outside. For the group I was with I think it was just a chance to see some live acts, for me it was more of a pilgrimage to a Rock holy site. I don't recall the acts, but the first one was something that was vaguely reminiscent of Rage Against the Machine that just didn't do for me. The guitarist from that group played with another band after that and it was *much* better, and the crowd much larger. Serious wall of sound that you had to lean into to avoid the sensation that you might get knocked down. I wish I could remember the name of the group, but alas. Had to venture into the basement as part of the pilgrimage. Felt more like I was walking through some sort of ancient Roman ruins. I imagine the amount drugs consumed in the little rooms you passed as you walked down the hallway to the restroom. Well, more like what was left of a restroom. Just a toilet on something of a platform. At least there was toilet paper. The girls I was with were mortified and wandered off. Me, I took a piss. Upstairs, in the bar the walls had layer after layer of stickers, posters, and vibrated with history. I vaguely remember seeing tables and chairs. Didn't bother with them. I was with the crowd taking in the music. I hope someday someone collects all the photos of the place and tries to recreate the look and feel as part of some live music venue. Well maybe not the basement. lol

[@caryncbreeef1969]

I went the first time at just before 14. Used a BMX racing ID to make myself 15. Went to the HC matinees every sunday deom 83 to 86. Nothing like it ever. Hilly -!: karen. The alligator. I have seen thousands of bands but nothing beats a show at CBs. Changed my life and made me what I am. Thank you Hilly.

[@rocdocs]

Great comment Ty Caryn

[@charlesdigennaro4981]

Played there in 1978. The ramones were in the club. I played pinball with dee dee and stiv bators that night.

[@floepiejane]

Now that's a badge.

[@mookie1995yt]

Stopped in there middle week in fall of 1990 and got to see The Velt. Awesome show I’ll never forget.

[@TeachinTV]

Tom Verlaine--rest in peace.

[@fifteen8]

Very good video that brought back fond memories. Saw many great shows and played there a bunch, even with some famous bands. The only thing - NOBODY called it "CBGB." It was either "CBGB's" or regulars called it "CB's." Oh yeah, my wife and I met there when she was hired to photograph one of the bands I was in.

[@Irishroaddog]

I worked there as a roadie for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in, I think the fall of 1976. Later that night Johnny Thunders gave Benmont Tench some smart remark at another club about his band being the “real” Heartbreakers. Benmont punched him out.

[@rocdocs]

Jim, that is a phenomenal story Thank you..

[@baronsaturday2103]

I love Meg White as a drummer, she's great! A bit like the woman drummer from The Gories, she's great too!

[@forbo327]

Great video. Brings back so many great memories. I was the Roadie for the band The Propellers which played at CBGBs a few times.

[@susanbull4123]

went to nearly every matinee show for years in the 80s. “Reagan Youth, New York’s best kept secret” said Maximum Rock and Roll, back when legends and dinosaurs walked the earth!

[@Jerzee70]

In 87 I finally got in CBGB... went on to see alot of bands till the end of a iconic club forever NYHC

[@Glostahdude]

Spent a night partying with The Cramps in 97! Amazing crazy night!! Thanks Ken (KJ) for throwing an AMAZING party!! Was The Cramps, Supersuckers, and Amazing Royal Crowns. Tattoo Shop 1st Anniversary Bash!!

[@rocdocs]

Holy crap that must have been Amazing

[@cindywitter9741]

I’m 78 and 79 we’d go to 54 on Friday nights, and CBGB’s on Saturday nights……it was such a wild time! I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything!

[@rocdocs]

Cindy thank you for commenting! You rock

[@demonsaint1296]

A band call “Lubricated Goat” is who I saw at CBGB in September 1990.

[@LijaMoore]

My band Still Life on Mars played there on 8.9.98 along with 3 other bands. We played 9 songs as one of the rare female fronted industrial metal bands at the time. It was exhilarating and the other bands were from all over the country (we were from Philly) and we all exchanged CDs. It was exciting seeing the stickers on the walls of all the other bands and the legends that played there. Wonder if ours is still there?

[@rocdocs]

Unfortunately the place has been renovated. There is a museum recreation of the space and I wonder if they brought in the actual walls. In which case maybe

[@davidskillman5510]

I used to hit CBGB’s back 80,81,82. New York still had a touch of that thing left before it all changed. I was 16 years old and it was brilliant and mind blowing. Where is that “thing” now. I keep looking at 59 years old. It’s out there….somewhere!!

[@rocdocs]

We’ll find out in 20’years!

[@l.salisbury1253]

An incident in either late 76 or early 77 should've been included: Wayne (aka Jayne) County made a total spectacle of himself, not onstage from from the DJ booth! He played a 45 that incited a small riot! And that that single was... (drumroll)... "Anarchy in the UK"!! The first time it was heard in America!!

[@rocdocs]

Thanks - I definitely would have included this had I known!

[@johnstallings4049]

@@rocdocs fact 1 💙👊 😅💜

[@johnstallings4049]

U having fun? 💙😶💜

[@ronrimsite6948]

Incorrect. Wayne was the DJ at Max's Kansas City upstairs. CBGB had a jukebox, never had a DJ. True he played the record regularly but there was never any riot. Worth noting is the Dead Boys covering the song when it came out.

[@jeffmurray6219]

I met Jayne many years ago in Camden Town via my pal Lee Childers, quite the lady.

[@MichaelStevenson-p8o]

I am watching this video on CBGB and I was there in78or 79 and hung out with most everyone mentioned-I was smoking “ill” with the Beasties before they got FAMOUS. That’s angle dust-Getting ill. License to ill- smoken diesel!!! Where’s my peeps!!! Dust heads of NYC-Zombies of Woodside Queens!?!? I remember YOU!❤

[@sambolino44]

I consider the two shows I played at CBGB, with Richmond, VA-based Mudd Helmutt, the highlight of my musical "career". The first time was, I think, on a Tuesday, and we didn't go on until around four in the morning and played to an almost empty room. However, the second time we got to play right before the headliners, the Lunachicks, and the room filled up during our set. It was fucking awesome! Sin and Gina let us use their silver Marshall stacks, and we went over quite well. Years later I played in the band of another CBGB alumnus: Sonny Vincent of Testors. That was when he lived in Minneapolis, though, and we didn't make it to New York. I don't remember a lot about the place, but I do remember that it smelled like piss.

[@rocdocs]

Great stories Sam, that’s so cool that you opened for lunachicks!

[@danevertt3210]

I haven’t heard the Lunachicks in a very long time

[@albertbottari7154]

Saw hundreds of bands there. Agnostic Front, Cro Mags, Ludichrist, Leeway, etc... Sunday hardcore matinees.

[@malco49]

i was at one of those damned/dead boys shows. my recollection is it was a show where the damned came out with paperbags over their heads and played a very short set. i was also in a band (lungfish) and we played CBGBS' i think 3 times in the early mid 90's. we played with the lunachicks and had the slot right before them as they were the headliners. the shows were packed as i recall. also as an aside does anyone here remember something called the rock and roll expo that took place in 1975? it was a weekend event with bands and panel discussion. lester bangs was the keynote speaker and the mumps played as did i think david joahannson or maybe he was just on the panel. i also went out one night and saw television play at a club mother's or banana's ? i don't remember the names. i was one of the few people there and got to meet tom verlaine and patti smith after the show along with jane friedman. i still have my ORK 7" of little johnny jewel signed by all three of them. so i am thinking it.was 1975. i don't remember much about the show but i seem to think television was a 3 piece. if anyone remembers this time , and the expo etc i would love some clarity.

[@ronrimsite6948]

I went to that Television show at Mother's, which was actually a gay bar on 23rd Street. That was the night when the single was first available and I bought mine so this must be the same night. You may think it was a three piece since at the last minute they changed the name from Television to just Tom Verlaine. I still have a cassette I recorded that night. They opened with the 13th Floor Elevators' "Fire Engine" and closed with "Breaking In My Heart".

[@malco49]

@@ronrimsite6948 thanks for the history of this show! so it was the full band? and do you remember that rock and roll expo i mentioned in my post?

[@ronrimsite6948]

@@malco49 I recall that might have been the second "Record Collector Expo" at that hotel (now offices) on 34th street. I didn't see any of the panels or bands, instead digging through the vendor's crates and sitting on the floor for an hour waiting Yardbirds and Small Faces films to come up in the movie room. I did see Bangs when he jumped on stage with some Boston opening act for the Fast at Max's called Susan (?!). They were like early Aerosmith lite. We kept on yelling "which of you guys are Susan?" Which, naturally irked them! 😂

[@malco49]

@@ronrimsite6948 thanks for that it was call ed-------- expo so it might have been record collectors! and it was in a hotel. thanks for helping solve a bit of a mystery for me!

[@ronrimsite6948]

@@malco49 I went the previous year at the very first record "swap meet". By the second larger one the CBGB/Max's scene has taken off and featured. New York Rocker had a table. A guy was selling his local band photos. I still have a Paul Zone in a box somewhere. Also, pre-MTV, in that film room, they showed a Talking Heads video for their first single. Wish I could time trip back there! (With $500!)

[@ladyhonor822]

Many times There!!! Had the best time with my Daddy RIP !!!☦️🇺🇲❤️ AMEN Philadelphia USA

[@batmanbill1]

Started hanging out at CBGB'S in 1979. Saw and met so many musicians, which is too long to list. I played there in 2 different bands. "Red Light District" and "Hagatha", circa 1986-87. Hagatha was on Radical Records and we were able to put out a 12" single before Radical went bankrupt. Kate Schellenbach from the original Beastie Boys line up was the drummer. Clark Render was the vocalist who passed away recently. I played bass and did my last gig with Hagatha at Andy Warhol's Limelight. We opened for Psychic Tv. Still looking for footage of that show, if its out there? Thanks to Hilly Crystal and all the Punk and Post Punk bands that have played there. It was fun growing up with the Ramones!🤘🏼

[@martinryan4154]

Aww

[@rocdocs]

Bill thanks for the comment my friend, cool story!

[@allemander]

That G n’R early show was spectacular. Thank you for that link. 💝

[@larslan1975]

Had the honor to play CBGB’s with my band Something Just back in the late 90’s opening for Frank Black .

[@migzz7976]

Saw Frank Black at HOB in LA, one of the only shows where I wasn’t familiar with any of the music, I was blown away, great show.

[@rocdocs]

Whoa!!

[@rocdocs]

😎

[@cokesquirrel]

I remember back in 98-99 going to patty smith's daughter's birthday party. My boyfriend at the time was jack walls. He had been Robert maplethorpes long term companion , Add previously patties boyfriend. It was 1 of the most unique experience I ever had

[@corkpop8401]

After the first wave of bands got signed 76-78 CBGB’s was less relevant and everyone went to the new dance clubs Hurrah, Ritz, Peppermint Lounge, Mudd Club etc. In fact from 1980 onwards CBGB was the place not to be seen in. Then came the wave of kids from the suburbs and the hardcore scene. The early crowd no longer went and it became a nostalgia touchstone as indicated by the guy discussing the Beastie Boys.

[@zevfrombrooklyn]

This is exactly correct. Even when I started going in late '77, it was already known to never go unless you knew the band was great or that a friend would be there. The odds were pretty low that the unknown bands Hilly routinely booked for a random Wednesday were any good. Instead I basically lived at Max's and Hurrah. I did see some epic shows at CB's though, many Dead Boys, Richard Hell, & Cramps gigs, a few Dictators & Ramones shows like the "Bulletproof Vests" gig that was their last one ever at CB's, a few of the original wave of UK bands like X-Ray Spex and the Jam, and many IYKYK bands like the Fleshtones, Shrapnel, the Sic Fucks, the Zantees, the Senders, etc. Some really great shows. Also btw, the The hardcore matinees were the best thing to happen to the place.

[@gilalvarado9237]

Great Video. You've earned a new subscriber. I've never been to NYC or CBGB but I was a co-worker, friend and room mate with the late great Terry Ork. R.I.P. Terry

[@GlennTillema]

They Might Be Giants needs to be on this list. They almost got the owner to sing on one of their songs!

[@rocdocs]

Working on part 2- keep an eye out for your comment! Thx Glenn!

[@lordticklish]

I saw They might be giants there.

[@pamcm1098]

Went there once, and saw one of the last shows before it closed, J Mascis solo on acoustic guitar. That was the loudest acoustic guitar I ever heard.

[@billsingleton6617]

Not puck rock in anyway but I saw living color there between their gigs opening for the Stones at Shea stadium. They were playing under an assumed name and played a ton of their second album just before it was released. It was really cool.

[@rocdocs]

AWESOME!

[@RevMikeBlack]

I remember that time well. Some incredible bands came out of that place.

[@LaurieMarieValdezRNCCRN]

I loved it there❤😂🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@LouisHansell]

Great video! Thanks! and maybe you can help me put a date on this: I had had an old girlfriend in Atlanta who knew the B-52s down there and she knew the woman who at the time managed them, named Margaret. I was living then in Philadelphia, she told me that the B-52s were going to play CBGB's, and she encouraged me to see them play and say hello to Margaret. So I did just that. And I did get to say hello to Margaret by getting up to that walkway on the left as the audience faces the stage. Your video brought back all of these memories in a rush. There was a strange moment before the break when I could say hello to Margaret. I was standing about midway in the standing portion of the audience. As I remember the very closest audience sat at tables. During the set of the previous act, a guy in green army fatigues barreled his way through the crowd to the stage, acting sorta drunk, basically assaulting everyone in his path. The floor was packed. He got past me before I could do anything, and the same thing happened to the guys in front of me. Sometime later, there is a commotion making its way through the audience, coming toward me. It is the same wild guy, this time trying to barge out. But a few guys who had been bumped on the way in took revenge and took retribution whacks at the guy. Right in front of me a guy retaliates and knocks him to the floor. I figure, okay, I can see he has gotten his just punishment. So he is laying on the floor right in front of me. he was basically out of it. It was Sid Vicious. Can you put a date on this? Thanks.

[@necromaya]

Wow !

[@ingowolf4205]

Was there once in 1989 and surprised how small the club is. Good crowd , good beer and a funny band played ('The Sick Fucks'?). Was ok.

[@juancastro7803]

No doubt..seriously incomplete without the mention of the young rastas of hardcore fusion....innovators ahead of their time....

[@rocdocs]

Thanks/ I’m working on part 2 now and I appreciate this feedback!

[@Vampiracho]

Saw Reagan Youth there in 87' when they had switched to half hardcore, half psychedelic rock. Excellent show.

[@gavinore1507]

Not including bad brains or cro mags is wild

[@rocdocs]

If you have a specific show in mind post it here and maybe we do part 2? Thanks for commenting. I didn’t get into the hardcore days too much.

[@Marginwalker1972]

Yeah the Bad Brains Christmas shows in 82 need to be on this list!

[@mildred714]

Remember how you don’t who the Stimulators are?