On the final day of the famous punk music club’s lease at its 315 Bowery location, last Wednesday, a Save CBGB concert rocked Washington Square Park. This page, clockwise from top: fans showed their colors; Deborah Harry and her former band Blondie reunited for the concert; Gavin Rossdale, previously of the band Bush, now with a new band, Institute, backstage. Opposite page, clockwise from top: rappers Chuck D and Flavor Flav of Public Enemy performed; Councilmember Alan Gerson, left, and Little Steven Van Zandt of the E Street Band and “The Sopranos”; fans wear their feelings on their belt buckles. The club is vowing to fight to stay at its home of almost 30 years, and Mayor Mike Bloomberg recently got involved in trying to mediate the situation. But without a lease, it’s seemingly just a matter of time before CBGB is evicted. In a statement on Aug. 31, Muzzy Rosenblatt, executive director of the Bowery Residents’ Committee, which holds the building’s master lease, said they hope the club “will vacate the premises both voluntarily and expeditiously and avoid costly eviction proceedings that will further hinder our 35-year mission to help the homeless. We fully support the mayor’s efforts to find the club a new home, and we will continue to support and work with Mayor Bloomberg and all concerned New Yorkers to end the tragedy of homelessness in New York City.” Gerson, speaking at the concert, stood firmly behind the iconic punk club. “We’re going to keep CBGB here…in Manhattan in New York City,” he said. “It’s no more acceptable to lose CBGB than it is to lose Radio City Music Hall. This is about keeping the creativity and the cutting edge. And listen to me, mister landlord, the City Council and mayor are united on this. The truth is, this is more important than CBGB; this is about our culture. We’re going to draw the line here with CBGB. CBGB, now and forever!”
