“CBGB: A New York City Soundtrack 1975-1986” Box Set Announced

In December 1973 Hilly Kristal changed the name of his roots music bar from Hilly’s On The Bowery to CBGB and altered his musical policy to hire mostly rock bands. He was indifferent to many of them, “No one is going to like you guys, but I’ll have you back,” he told Joey Ramone, blissfully unaware of how important his scruffy little club would soon become. In the span of only 15 months, the five groups that comprise the CBGB‘s pantheon all debuted: Television in March 1974, followed by Ramones in August and Blondie in October, then Patti Smith in February 1975 and Talking Heads four months later. Those five groups all quickly got record deals and became popular enough to outgrow CBGB‘s.

By the fall of 1977, Smith was the only one who was still playing there. What succeeded the Big Five was an array of new and retro styles, all of which featured on the CBGB: A New York City Soundtrack 1975-1986 four CD box set. The club’s best-known bands are present on this compilation but it also includes dozens of unfairly forgotten acts that, for a moment in time, made an album, EP, 45, or even a demo that crackled with innovation, wit, and joy. CBGB no longer exists, at least not in the physical plane, but what happened between those soot-filled, beer-stinking walls continues to reverberate around the world. CBGB: A New York City Soundtrack 1975-1986 will be released via Cherry Red Records on the 30th January 2026