NYC's CBGB: A History Tour

[@bacobill]

As a drummer I played at CBGB's first with New York Gong and later with Material, Curlew, and the Dance.. I treasure my memories of those times like no other.. it was magical for a young musician to be on that stage looking out at people who shaped the years to come.. My memory of the dressing room backstage stands out most of all knowing who had been there before me as well as those bands who were just starting out on the scene.. Thank you for this trip back in time and the smile you put on my face.. Peace

[@blahblah1438]

Very nice comment. ❤

[@PaulIsaacT.PowerPoet-so1gh]

❤

[@rabfallon4507]

I played CBGBs about 5 times in the 80s with the UK Subs. Brilliant memories

[@blue2134]

Im at work and just received this notification. Listening now

[@MamaCarola1]

Back in the day you could catch Joey Ramone walking on Austin Street in Forest Hills. Couldn't miss him dressed all in black & the height.

[@GardenerEarthGuy]

Yeah- he wasn't that fast.

[@two3D]

Cool video thanks. I grew up in Minneapolis going to First Ave. Moved to Washington DC in the 1990s and hung at the 9:30 Club. I started grad school at NYU in 2002 so definitely went to CBGB. My roommate’s band played there a few times as well.

[@tucanazo6068]

Tom - you have the ability to tell stories in an entertaining and fun way with great content about the history of the city Thank you very much for sharing

[@daviderdelyi2204]

Great video Tom! I really enjoyed it. I know the Ramones story very well being that Tommy Ramone is my uncle. I had the good fortune of playing CBGB's with Tommy in the early 90's. The club was legendary and should have never closed. Rock and Roll history was made there.

[@MrRezRising]

Tom, had a really fun night at your show on Sat. Great to see you packed the place!

[@OldWurlitzerMusic]

great video , i worked with johny blitz from the dead boys , they played there for years with blondie and the talking heads ect.. and john belushi saw them a lot and was on the scene there , he told me lots of stories and how it was and the surrounds around it back then in the early 70's

[@acbenepe]

The "Blitz Benefit" was maybe the best night ever at CBGB

[@OldWurlitzerMusic]

@@acbenepe i think he had to stay in the hospital over a week , he did tell me it was a junkie who had stabbed him and john belushi played the drums for him while he was in the hospital , im not sure how many nights or just the one night / day , ya they helped raise money for the hospital bill

[@HorizonMelt]

I'm 4 minutes in and love the vibe...with the cold precipitation and backdrop of buildings . .that's one of my favorite ways to enjoy NYC

[@ashleychambers7602]

Your videos are fantastic your just an encyclopaedia of knowledge and how you deliver all this knowledge is very impressive. I’m from the UK and live up in North Yorkshire and I’ve visited NYC more times then I’ve visited London. This November I will be visiting NYC for the 5th time and now I’ve discovered your channel I just can’t wait to get there again and go visit some of the places covered in your videos. 👍

[@CCGem]

We all traveled from Dallas to CBGB's to see my brother in law's punk band Mess aka Darlington perform in mid 90s. Definitely played originals - 'Marcia Brady you're so cool' was one. It was a terrific experience. Such a bummer it closed.

[@StoneyHoliday]

I remember the last days of CBGBs. It was a dump but it disappeared around the time that NYC was becoming corporatized with a bank, a starbucks and a pharmacy on every block. And soon after many staples of the neighborhood started falling like dominos.

[@AmbroseChamberpot]

miss Maxwell's in Hoboken too

[@richardarthur-nycstories]

Excellent presentation!! I'm glad that you showed the new Bad Brains mural that replaced the Blondie one, I haven't been down there to see it in person yet. Interestingly, the building with the light blue windows seen at 2:49 used to be The Great Gildersleeves, another great music venue from that era. The music video for Meatloaf's "Dead Ringer for love" was filmed there.

[@MamaCarola1]

Wait, what? They replaced the Blondie mural??? Haven't been down there in about a year. Definitely surprised.

[@GardenerEarthGuy]

The Bum Riot on a Sunday afternoon, Mott Street had the CBGB's Women's Bathroom, beer from Sal's Deli was used to press a hand stamp, fun times...

[@allenhurt]

Thank you so much for creating and sharing this awesome video. I am long time country/americana entertainer that also performed at CBGB's in the 80's and 90's, an awesome experience that I will always cherish. I made rock and punk friends that I still have today, my moto is "All genre's make up one family". Thank you again. you have a new fan...A.H.

[@josephprimavera2545]

The best of NYC history! Thanks!

[@OU812cheeto]

The thing I remember most about playing CB's was that the stage would bounce--a lot! lol So if you were singing, you had to be careful because if it bounced the wrong way when your mouth was near the mic, you could knock your teeth right out. Also, the sound system was such crap! As you were singing, you could hear the sound coming back at you from the front wall about 1 second after you sang the note (the monitors were useless), so it would really throw you off! The dressing rooms and the bathroom were works of art, however, and the whole experience was bizarre every time. Some of my fondest memories!

[@jimmyfrombrooklyn8550]

Great video! Played there many times back in the day. Back then it was just a gig at a dive bar (great p.a. system they had!) a woman named Louise booked the bands I played with, she was pretty cool and seemed to sense how important this place would be. She was right!

[@laudanum669]

Hey Tom I really enjoyed this video, BUT you should have shown the street sign at Bowery and Second Street that has been renamed "Joey Ramone Place". Thanks to you and Eric for braving the weather to bring us this video.

[@namret12]

Love you’re bravery in the elements! A+❤️❤️

[@LordsChamber]

Tom Delgado and Eric Thirteen - your KZbinrs in all weathers !!!

[@eltronics]

I loved that movement in the 70's. The bands weren't proficient, but they were different. Punk was the perfect ying to Disco's yang. Thank god for places like CBGBs, Max's Kansas City, The Bottom Line, The Bitter End, and The Palladium (never did see the Fillmore) to name a few venues. those high school and college years were the best! RIP Hilly!

[@MamaCarola1]

But b4 it was the Palladium it was the Academy of Music & now that's another NYU dorm

[@RobinHerzig]

omg yes yes yes + yes!!!

[@RobinHerzig]

@@MamaCarola1 NYU still eating up the whole damn Village

[@MamaCarola1]

@@RobinHerzig yep just like Columbia on the upper west side

[@eltronics]

@@MamaCarola1 I remember the name. Apparently I went their right after the name change (1976).

[@JNathanielBerke]

I moved here in August and I love living in this neighborhood. How about a Beat Generation episode! I'll even join ya!

[@nytom4info]

Been there...played there!

[@roytownhill9934]

Such a legendary place, thanks Tom and Eric for putting your bodies on the line to make this video 🤘🤘

[@forbo327]

Great video. I lived in Forest Hills. And was a Roadie for the band The Propellers. They played at CBGB’s a few times. Great memories. 😊

[@dianamatthews2613]

Hubby and I will be visiting soon. Our second time. This time, thanks to you, with more knowledge. ex. Sittig on trash bags to eat, laying across park benches to rest, hang our photos up to be discovered and our favorite, pop up from behind free-standing structures. All while trying not to fall off of Manhattan. LOL! You're the best!

[@wawathunder]

I learn from your videos. I am genuinely interested in stories about New York City. The various subject areas that you cover are always intriguing. I visit the city as a tourist only. It is important that these stories, history and context are shared. Thank you for this work.

[@RebekahCurielAlessi]

Oh, I enjoyed this so much!! I think the Mercer Center collapse was shown in the Vinyl series...

[@tomtheyank1]

I learn so much watching your videos. I remember the old Lone Star Cafe west 13th in the village. Saw some epic shows there. Roy Bucanion to the Band.. 83-86 .

[@wdestrempsmecke]

Many happy, loud fun had at CBGBs. Miss those times and that version of NYC.

[@StoneyHoliday]

Dude this is great. Do the Palladium next.

[@BrendanSFA]

I was one of the night managers of CBgB 1️⃣ Hardcore was not banned because of violence in the late 80’s. 2️⃣ we did not close because of the landlord’s claim of owed rent. That false narrative is still repeated today. But two minutes of research would show you we won in court and the false claim of owed rent was tossed out of court. The landlord was able to evict us simply by not renewing our lease. We alwsys paid our rent.

[@sowhatmaaaan]

Dude, great video! Sent this to a few of my Punker friends. They dug it. Great work Tom... you to Eric. 🤘

[@elizabethconklin9011]

I loved it, the energy was so intense.

[@rzadigi]

$19,000 for rent!? No wonder they couldn’t survive. I grew up in the punk and hardcore scenes and I remember being so excited to finally visit there.

[@alley-p5d]

could you do a piece on that club, Limelight?

[@Jpkjr52]

Thanks again John in Chicago

[@ianmilillo8491]

You’re really awesome man!!!! Your videos are really cool, I especially like the one of Spanish Harlem showing the La Marqueta. I subscribed to your channel.

[@JimConnelley]

Thanks Tom! This is you at your best.

[@craiglanigan8289]

Awesome tube, very interesting and informative 👍 thanks for putting in the hard yards!

[@eugenedimitrov]

Another awesome video with the remarkable content as always !!!Keep it up!!!Never heard of CBGB before !That was kind of discovery to me !!!

[@shannono8397]

Love your videos so much Tom, Thank you!

[@jimmaloney3738]

Another great video Jet boy!

[@alarikaguilar7543]

Finally!!!! Next episode of NYC video tours!!! Keep going Delgado!! About to become a patron.

[@travelingwithrick]

Another informative nyc vid by Tom. Oh and the New York Dolls was Anthony Bourdain's favorite group.

[@jamesstanley9082]

Hi Tom great video love relaxing and reminiscing at Think Coffee on the corner where you were standing but feeling z a bit sad, has the Blondie mural been painted over?

[@AtilioEscobar]

Great vid Michael. Love your calm vibe.

[@RobinHerzig]

There's a great old documentary called “On the Bowery” by Lionel Rogosin. Super nitty gritty portrayal of life on the Bowery 1950s. Early independent film masterpiece of it's time. Doubt something like that could be recreated today. Highly recommended if you can find it 👏

[@two3D]

Sunshine Hotel is a pretty interesting documentary

[@mikeyfn-a6684]

Proud to say I managed to perform on that stage at least once. Thanks for the memories 😬 And holy shit man thank God we never had to say "Building collapsed on highly influential band as they were just too heavy" ..also now I absolutely believe my homie when he said(back when he was a NYC squatter punk) that a homegirl of his was actually Rip Torn's daughter, and he was just a weird drunk when he saw him 😂 Woah how'd you not catch Joey Ramone Pl.?? I know the sign is there , they raised it due to all the thefts so...booooo!

[@Queerpunx]

Thank you for sacrificing your bodies for the people. This video is full of wonderful information, thank you for covering CBGBs. ABC No Rio next?

[@JillKnapp]

Great video, as always! My band was supposed to play CBGB, but we showed up to the gig (having traveled from LA) only to find out the place had been rented for a private party without the venue telling us. Also, I hope this is helpful (and apologies if you've been told this already): The letter combo "ij" in Dutch is treated as one letter-- It's prounounced as a long I sound ("eye"). To keep it easy, ignore the J... or treat the "ij" like a y when it's at the end of a word. 👍 (I worked for a Dutch company and it completely threw me until someone explained it to me.)

[@rosefromharlem]

I really enjoyed this video. Very well researched!

[@larrygrasso6032]

Tom, you're still the best !

[@rgesualdo]

awesome, make one about the wetlands preserve, please!!! keep the good work

[@robertcook2680]

The New York Dolls were FANTASTIC! Their two original albums are wonderful and still available. They reformed in the early 21st century, with the the two remaining living members, (singer David Jo Hansen and guitarist Sylvain Sylvain), plus three new members and they issued several new well-regarded albums.

[@blue2134]

The New York dolls were AMAZING. I’m a BIG Johnny Thunders fan. I love his solo stuff

[@nino8344]

Yeess!!! Finally video about CBGB!!! Cant wait to see

[@DWilliams-ce8nb]

Hilly's wife Karen was the business backbone of CBGB's. She was a close friend of actor/teacher William Hickey (Prizzi's Honor). I sat in on an informal meeting at that (nearly empty) bar a few months before CBGB's opened. Karen wanted Hickey's opinion. Hickey was enthusiastic about Karen's vision of what CBGB's could be. Have to admit, I didn't see it at all. [see article - Karen Kristal... stern partner in CBGB with her ex, Hilly ]

[@apextroll]

I guess with a name such as CBGB the intent was having country and bluegrass bands play. Was there any country and bg bands?

[@DWilliams-ce8nb]

@@apextroll There were some early on. But the Big Idea was to be an incubator for unknown Lower Manhattan musicians to perform original work. There were huge ASCAP royalty and musician union pay scale savings. And there were thousands of unemployed musicians in NYC with nearly no place to play.

[@apextroll]

@@DWilliams-ce8nb I see. I wonder if Earl Scruggs played there. Seems like it would right up his alley given he was open to experiment, but I think he was more involved with the Laurel Canyon crowd.

[@tomcarl8021]

​@@apextroll Earl Scruggs wouldn't be caught dead there, you ninny.

[@apextroll]

@@tomcarl8021 No? He seemed very receptive to new sounds. As far as I know he played with Joan Baez and the Byrds. So CBGB was beneath him?

[@paulseoighemcgee5772]

Top work Tommo !

[@kymmcl8435]

Nice one Tom I remember it well

[@katherinejacoby5915]

One of my soul textile sibling's name is Eric... He's a Brooklyn boy but is an amazing artist & works in Manhatty... He's a yo yo MASTER. He is also the 1st person I went to CBGB's with. The last show I went to was a Patti Smith jimmy jam. I worked at tower on 4th & bway & when the lovely Michael Stipe came to my ticketmaster desk he promised to let Patti herself know how stoked I was to be going to the show...sure enough she paused btwixt songs to say 'i wanna thank the girls from tower records for being here tonight...I love u!!!" I about DIED!!! I MISS MY HOME DIGS...thanks for these trips...🥰

[@spharion7988]

Wow..that is a story. I used to go to that tower records back in the days.

[@rossanderson7875]

Memories!!! Around the corner, Hell's Angel's club house. Thank you

[@geraldmixer]

I played there fro 77-79. It was a cool scene. The guys from The Ramones and Blondie were hanging out a lot. My manager was Hillly Krystal (an awesome character). He had his own country song on the juke box. It smelled of sour beer. No doors on the restrooms. Great sound system and super LOUD. Bums sleeping on the street out front. Cars robbed on a regular basis. It was the best.

[@acbenepe]

Excellent doc. The flophouse above Cb's (as we kids called it) was named The Palace. There was another Flop catty corner locally known as "the White House". Guess why.

[@dangerousideas5356]

i'm guessing racist or something about semen.

[@RebekahCurielAlessi]

@@dangerousideas5356 I'm guessing cocaine..

[@dangerousideas5356]

@@RebekahCurielAlessi ah, old new york, i was thinking of new new york.

[@spharion7988]

There was another one down on Bowery called " Sunshine Hotel"...there's a acclaimed documentary about on KZbin

[@frankromero5581]

Thanks tom . that was cool I didnt know that stuff . . stay warm ok . love ya .

[@kylestout4989]

More CBGB …. Thank you!

[@johndillon3805]

Went there a couple of times in the 77-78 time. The Ramones were playing. Me and my friends were huge fans. Guys from Queens with fake British accents, lol. CBGB's was kind of expensive by 70s standards but we college kids just went with it. Very dirty place, a dog was wandering around and pooped near our table. We didn't care. There was beer and awesome sound....Hey ho, Let's go!!!! We didn't sit a lot.

[@joelfrombethlehem]

Thank you for this quick little tour. I thought there was a plaque on 313-15 stating that the music club, CBGBs stood here or words to that effect.

[@outtathyme5679]

I saw Blondie and Talking Heads there. Yes I’m bragging

[@booradley0x0]

Good brag!!

[@Reprodestruxion]

Respect Boomers at least for that

[@JB-hl1qx]

Now that's a EPIC night out !!!!!

[@RosieYogi40]

I saw a really shit band whose name I cannot remember in June of 2003 there, I do have some really cool pic’s of CBGB’s tho

[@fromnewusa]

Hi Tom. I'm enjoying your tours. I even just subscribed !!! Now please keep your subtitles up for an extra few seconds. Thank you.

[@Did.You.Forget]

@5:06 That’s not Art de Lugoff.. that’s Stanley Tucci lol.

[@HappyHuman94]

I love how Tom always complains about the weather when it's bad but NEVER buttons up his coat.

[@jennifernewby8361]

Lol

[@REALMcGUiRK]

If you do another swing through the Bowery, you should do one about McGurk’s Suicide Hall. 295 Bowery. Crazy story

[@RigidRecords69]

15 mins? Sooo much more to cover in that neighborhood. The Bowery Theater, McGurk’s Suicide Hall, isn't Katz's Deli near by? Also the first pizza shop in the city is a few blocks away!!

[@vincentgoupil180]

Tomzd *Hamilton Book* online has two books on the Bowery, "Devil's Mile" by Alexiou and "Bowery" by S.P. Deville, discounted in their New York selection if ya' haven't read.

[@wesbroart805]

love you tom!!!

[@LordsChamber]

CONGRATS TO 69K SUBSCRIBERS!!!!!!!!!!

[@rafaelmangual6478]

Great segment. You were right around the corner from where Jean Michel Basquiat died. Right on Great Jones off the Bowery.

[@cirenosnor5768]

Where he died is now Japanese butcher with a invitation only Japanese restaurant upstairs Vatvato’s isn’t just a super fancy clothing store. John loves Rock n’ Roll and has clothed dressed Aerosmith, Jimmy Page,ZZ Top, etc. Store sells records and vintage hifi gear that belonged to John. He apparently collects hifi There were great ad campaigns the early Varvatos years featuring them and others. Plus live performances during fashion week when the event was cool.

[@patricksanders858]

My Dutch ancestor lived next door to Gov. Stuyvesant. Check out the Castile plan of New Amsterdam.

[@laudanum669]

The city of New York really dropped the ball and screwed over the music world by not stepping in to help save CBGB's. The city had help preserve so many other venue's, establishments but refused to help one of the greatest music venues ever.

[@allenhurt]

I agree fully, the city should have stepped in and done their part to make CBGB's a historic landmark

[@alanartme1]

Still like to know what camera equipment Eric uses...Pleeeeeeze???😟

[@tomdnyc1]

He uses a BlackMagic Pocket

[@alanartme1]

@@tomdnyc1 thanks!… Now that was easy wasn’t it? Thanks again!

[@ronaldhofland8242]

I think Bowery comes from boerderij (farm). A ‘bouwerij’ is a referral to a construction site. I like seeing your videos, greetings from The Netherlands

[@DBIGBRO157]

315 Bowery is BRC Men's Shelter now

[@stacyn.]

Can’t wait till summer.

[@pelehound]

Terrific as always. Tom. (Wanna hear a great NY Dolls song you likely haven't heard before? Try Looking Fo a Kiss)

[@jlmain5777]

Good one.

[@simonorr594]

Yo! Ridgewood is the new LES. How about a music tour of TV Eyes and Transpicos? It’s where you live!

[@felixluna914]

That was cool

[@arniegreenberg2719]

Hi Tom, can you post a link on your KZbin to where I can send you a little appreciation.

[@tomdnyc1]

I have to set up the KZbin thingy but it takes a big cut, so I just use Venmo, Paypal & Patreon, which are in the description.

[@arniegreenberg2719]

@@tomdnyc1 Tom, what percentage do they take? I contribute to a few other vloggers from time to time on the KZbin link and would want the contribution mostly going to them. I will try Patrion.

[@arniegreenberg2719]

@@tomdnyc1 Hi Tom, I checked out Patrion and it only offers monthly subscriptions. I prefer to limit subscriptions as they can get out of hand. I prefer to pay as I go and not have to worry about subscriptions. I will send you something on your next vlog. Sorry.

[@jim-hn7ko]

I highly recommend the film "on the bowery". hard to find, but amazing.

[@RobinHerzig]

Oh wow I just made the same comment! Great film 🎥

[@roncotton7963]

Really you just had to do it on a terrible day, shaking my head over here

[@AliceReilly-km4iz]

Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, The Shirts, Television, Dead Boys, and many more bands we were there every weekend dodging the dog crap on the floor and sticky bar tops,

[@williamechevarria5421]

Wonderful! You're the best to learn from. Excellent Tom!!!!! The best!!!!

[@Mike-g1p]

love this

[@RockandRollMusic00]

Cool video.

[@outtathyme5679]

Btw required reading: “There’s No Bones in Ice Cream” by the sadly departed Syl Sylvian

[@annchambers5739]

Fascinating

[@greghummel1753]

John Varvatos is a good man. From my hometown. Bought it to preserve the interior. Also ya gotta show the back where everyone did their drugs lol!