Legendary CBGB’s founder Hilly Kristal has died from lung cancer at the age of 75. Born in 1932, he opened his iconic club which would go on to host landmark performances by the likes of Blondie, Talking Heads, and Patti Smith. The club closed its doors in October of 2006 after months of legal battles with the landlords, four months after Kristal was diagnosed. He was survived by his ex-wife and two children.

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