PRONG Mainman Pays Tribute To Late CBGB Founder

August 31, 2007

PRONG mainman Tommy Victor has posted the following bulletin on the band's MySpace page:

"Raven [former PRONG and current MINISTRY bassist Paul Raven] just let me know that Hilly Krystal, owner of CBGB, is gone. He was my boss from 1986 to '90. He was a tough guy to work for, but that's what he was: a tough guy. If it wasn't for him there would be no PRONG. There probably wouldn't be the RAMONES, SUICIDE, New York hardcore and countless other influential music styles and artists.

"Thanks Hilly, you won't be forgotten."

Kristal died on Tuesday (August 28) due to complications from lung cancer. He was 75.

According to Billboard.com, Kristal founded CBGB in 1973 to showcase bluegrass and country acts, but it quickly became known as a breeding ground for experimental and punk music. Throughout the 1970s and '80s, the club served as a launching pad for BLONDIE, THE TALKING HEADS, TELEVISION, LIVING COLOUR, PATTI SMITH and the RAMONES, among many others.

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