Hilly Kristal Dead at Age 75

Hilly Kristal, the founder of the punk rock club CBGB that spawned the careers of the Ramones, Blondie, and Talking Heads, among others, has died at age 75. His daughter announced his death Wednesday.

Kristal died on Tuesday due to complications from lung cancer, according to his daughter Lisa Kristal Burgman.

Hilly Kirstal founded the club in 1973 to showcase country and bluegrass music, calling it CBGB & OMFUG for "Country, Bluegrass, Blues and Other Music For Uplifting Gourmandizers." Instead, the venue became the place in which punk rock emerged, with acts such as the Ramones and Blondie playing there regularly, along with countless other lesser-known acts.

Kristal lost a battle last year to keep CBGB from being evicted. Its last show in October featured Patti Smith as well as Blondie's Debbie Harry. The adjoining clothing store, CBGB Fashions, remained open.