CBGB Closes

by William Speruzzi on 10/14/2006

This Sunday is the nail in the coffin for this Bowery institution. Patti Smith will be playing out its funeral march on October 15th. The fight to keep it alive was commendable but it’s better to see it taken down then watch it slowly die over the next couple of years. God knows we need another Starbucks. The ultimate irony about the club that launched the Ramones, Blondie and the Talking Heads is that it will be dismantled and reconstructed in Las Vegas. Yes, even the urinals are going. Maybe it’s better this way. It seems fitting. In society we desire a simulation of the real thing over the real thing, you know, simulacra and all. If you need a CBGB history lesson go here. It can even tell you what OMFUG means.

[Added] Here’s some coverage from the Times on the last night.