OMFUG = “Other Music For Uplifting Gormandizers”.
This Blog is my humble homage to Hilly Kristal and the iconic music mecca he founded, CBGB, the platform where Blondie, Ramones, Talking Heads, Television etc. cut their teeth and gone on to world fame.
The full name of Hilly Kristal’s club is CBGB–OMFUG which is “Country, BlueGrass, Blues and Other Music For Uplifting Gormandizers“. Genius move!
A Gormandizer is one who eats greedily or too much. Omfug indeed! Hillyarilous!
Hilly Kristal’s original intention was for CBGB to serve up gormandizing Country, BlueGrass, and Blues music. Founded in 1973, it soon veered into the go-to club for punk rock and new age bands.
CBGB sadly closed and John Varvatos, the high-end rock fashion store, occupied the 315 Bowery space in 2008.
Chris Stein of Blondie paid his homage to CBGB in his best-selling memoir “Under A Rock” (above image). I’m honoured to have my image of Chris in the last days of CBGB featured in his memoir. Do check out my “Chris Stein Memoir” blog.
Backstage with the Two Legends – Chris Stein and Hilly Kristal (above image).
Chris Stein (second from left) and Hilly Kristal (second from right) participating in a forum in Lincoln Center, New York City with other iconic New York punk legends.
Me with the iconic Hilly Kristal (above image).
Proud to have my image of the infamous “CBGB Stairway” as the prominent centre-piece display in Morrison Hotel Gallery in Soho, New York City.
Chris Stein in action with his camera documenting the CBGB frontage (above image). The end of a fabulous music era.
Next to the main CBGB club was the CBGB Record Canteen, at 313 Bowery (above image). Chris Stein of Blondie and I sundered into the venue after the CBGB club. That’s Chris on the right of pix.
This annex venue was later taken over by the legendary Morrison Hotel Gallery (MHG), of which I’m proud to have my rock photographic catalog represented by. I hung out at the MHG in Bowery countless times.
The T-Shirt section of CBGB Record Canteen (above image). I bought two iconic T-shirts and a shot glass as souvenirs from my memorable visit.
My original CBGB T-shirt, from CBGB (above image).
CBGB branding (above image).
My other CBGB T-shirt, seen here with Rickie Lee Jones (above image).
My CBGB shot glass (above image), is proudly displayed in between my graduation bear figure and my personalised Lego figure with biker leather jacket and camera. A poignant reminder of the interesing journey I took in Life.
Hail Hail, Hilly Kristal and CBGB!
