After battling lung cancer for years, the man behind the great CBGB club, Hilly Kristal, died Tuesday (Aug. 28) in New York at the age 75. The CBGB club opened in New York's Bowery area in 1973, gaining its ultimate reputation as a punk club following early performances by the Ramones, Talking Heads, Blondie, Patti Smith, and others. Often (though lovingly) the club was made fun of as being a run down hole in the wall. Allan Jackson even famously called out during a show; "Hey, Hilly, I'll give you back the $200 for playing tonight if you turn on the air conditioning."

Here's The Ramones playing The CBGB in punk's inaugural year, 1977. F*&#ing classic.

And never mind the bullocks, here's The Dead Boys playing "Sonic Reducer" at CBGB's in 1977.