My
Last Time at CBGB's
We
had just finished a gig at Bob Holman's Bowery
Poetry Club, the second Odes to the Sidewalks
of New York SpokeSoul gathering of the faithful and even though it was
near mid-December on the verge of bitter cold, we were energized with an appetite
and decided to trundle up Bowery to have some drinks and get a bite to eat.
At 1am. now Monday morning, the streets were pretty quiet and we all double
timed it up the block where we chowed and chawed, drank and decompressed after
what was a cool evening of sooth n' sounds slew'd inonabout this city that we
Love.
At 3am we graced the wait staff with our departure and with kisses, hugs,
shakes and waves we broke ranks and Frank Messina, John Rey, Jeremy Hogan and
myself made way back downtown, scheming what next, for we were not ready to call
it a night.
With Frank Messina and John Rey two steps ahead walking south
on the east side of Bowery I asked Jeremy if his camera was at the ready as I
could see ahead, a small street soiree' of a few panhandlers dancing and singing,
one of them laying down a groovebeat on an empty spackle bucket. "There's
a party up ahead in front of CB's, better get some shots while you can cause it
(CB's) ain't gonna be here most likely next time you're back in town."
At this point Messina and Rey had jumped into the party outside Cb's and with
a wink and a nod to Hogan, both of us drew our cameras like Five-O walking into
a bodega hold-up.
We had the drop on them all and cajoled them on in revelry,
me spinning vid, Jeremy snapping digi-stills and them just having too much fun
as they all sidewalk samba'd.
As that was not enough, the front door of CB's flies open and out strolls
a Japanese Punk-tet all singing in Japanese, one on guitar, another on trumpet,
3 men and a woman.
This trippy tyco troupe slipped into this sidewalk
scene seamlessly, interweaving with the festivities already afoot, Jeremy looked
up at me incredulously, I smiled and said "Only in New York!"
The lead singing samurai, a fireplug of a guy with a fedora and an
orange bench coat saluted and toasted (glass of Jack Daniels in hand) bellowing
"Smiles Davis Ruvs New Yawk"
He then brought the song to enthusiastic finale, all of us clapping, cheering
and then congratulating, introducing ourselves to each other and exchanging .
. Click
Here to Vitew the Video!.
There were no borders, there were
no barriers just a joyous spontaneous scene and as quick as this all came together
outside CBGB's it came undone, all parties scattering to there perspective business.
We just laughed and found ourselves that much more amp'd to keep the night alive,
that much more intoxicated from this impromptu international NYC moment.
After
a short huddle we decided to cross the river and go to the Badda-Bing!
But
. . .
That's a story I will save for another time!
This legendary NYC club's canto finale was delivered by the
punk rock poetess Patti Smith on October
15. Despite efforts from fans and promoters to save the venue, the club that
helped define a music genre and launch the careers of The
Ramones, Talking Heads and Blondie
will close its doors after its final show on October 31, due to unsuccessful
rent negotiations with its landlord.
Sadly,
it is reported, CBGB's will be disassembled and set up in Las Vegas.
A
Neighborhood's evolution doesn't have to happen in the fashion of Souless Gentrification!
The Municipal Art Society of New York is a private, non-profit
membership organization whose mission is to enrich the culture, neighborhoods
and physical design of New York City. MAS strives for excellence
in urban design / planning, contemporary architecture, historic preservation and
public art. Click
Here to Learn More!
Click
Here To Learn More about The Bowery.
Photos
by Jeremy Hogan
