Iconic Punk Brand CBGB to Be Auctioned to the Highest Bidder

By Jen Doll Fri., Jul. 8 2011 at 1:03 PM

Everything is for sale, people. Everything is for sale. Including the brand of legendary punk rock club CBGB OMFUG, which, FYI, was converted to a John Varvatos store anyway years ago, so who the hell cares about memories and history and shit. No, but really, wouldn't it be super cool to own the brand of CBGB? The estate of Hillel "Hilly" Kristal, founder of the club that launched the Ramones, will be putting intellectual property rights related to the brand up for bid via Streambank LLC, reports Bloomberg News.

This is just good marketing!

The brand still resonates worldwide and could be used for new opportunities in live clubs, apparel and interactive media, Streambank said.

We're certain that is what some fancy pants businessman is thinking as he gazes at his classic American timepiece right this very minute. The brand is expected to fetch at least a couple million. Somewhere in heaven, Joey Ramone is weeping.

[Bloomberg News via EV Grieve]

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guest

Not the first sale of the name, you know...Hilly personally sold it in 2007 (not his estate or anything as you would imagine).

Sukastyle

Wow! What happened to integrity? What is wrong with us that we think of a Brand vs. a Place with History? Just open the place up or move it and continue it's fame and "Brand" enjoyment by actually having bands still play there instead of selling it to represent an empty product that is neither original or entertaining and will most likely end up in a landfill! Walmarting!

Phil

who gives a fuck....

jay

stop beating a dead fucking horse

Rutigliano David

the city in general is fucked. look at beford ave in willyb brooklyn or morgan stop on the L train... the douche is willing to pay the spiked exorbitant rent and kicking the cool shit out further and further. goodbye nyc. you were once brilliant

Joey Ramone is weeping? Don't you think he was already weeping in 2006 when "Blitzkrieg Bop" got pimped out to promote Diet Pepsi?

The fact that punk artifacts are available to the highest bidder is just a reminder that Punk died years ago.

Rfwoodstock

The CBGB "brand" means nothing with the original club closed. RIP.

Mjonneyd

Righy wtf wish there was clubs like this now

Endangeredyouth

they're called basement shows, and the bug jar in Rochester NY is kinda like cbgb in some ways

Pumpy Drums

Yes you can bet your bottom dollar Joey is weeping,as i think are many many people,this is terrible news !.

Dezc0ri

Everything is for sale, including women's bodies. Women's bodies for sale, brought to you by THE VILLAGE VOICE. Prostitution is endorsed by The Village Voice's sister site backpage.

Brent Davey

At least it's a sister site, and for once not a brother that's pimping.

Demi's Third Nipple

GO TO BED ASHTON

Fablalumia

we liked Max's kansas City better ANYWAY!!

Road Cat

Learn all about the Ramones in the book; “ON THE ROAD WITH THE RAMONES”.Throughout the remarkable twenty-two-year career of the Ramones the seminal punk rock band, Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famers and Recording Academy Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winners Monte A. Melnick saw it all. He was the band’s tour manager from their 1974 CBGB debut to their final show in 1996. Now, in this NEW UPDATED EDITION he tells his story. Full of insider perspectives and exclusive interviews and packed with over 250 personal color photos and images; this is a must-have for all fans of the Ramones. http://www.myspace.com/onthero...