- Hilly Kristal passed away on August 28, 2007. So sad news. The closing of CBGB's did happen in October, 2006. Now this. Like Mariano Asch wrote to me, it definitely means the end of an era. The CBGB's was founded by Hilly Kristal in December 1973. Without CBGB's history of punk and the Ramones would be so different. Hilly gave a chance to the Ramones and many other bands to play at his place, in those days when punk was new and 99 % of the venues did not gave a chance for them to play. Lot of love and thanks comes from me and from hundreds of thousands of people for You Hilly. It was always for me a big honour to meet You and I was also honoured to do with You interview for my first book Heaven Needed A Lead Singer: Fans Remember Joey Ramone. You was so widely loved and appreciated Hilly. I had a silent moment for You. I know that Joey, Dee Dee and Johnny Ramone and other people take a good care of You there in Heaven.
- Jari-Pekka -
Marky Ramone has said now following:
"Hilly was an integral part of the punk scene from 1974 until his death. He was always supportive of the genre and of bands like the Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, and Richard Hell and Voidoids, and will hold a prominent place in music history. We are all grateful to him and will miss him."
Read official statement here. There is also more of the closing of the CBGB's etc. ) (Updated: August 29, 2007)
Das legendäre It´s Alive Konzert von London 31.12.77 wird nun erstmalig auf DVD Film gebannt. Mariano und Georges (Freund von Joey Ramone) suchen noch Ramones Fanfotos für die geplante DVD die im Oktober vorgestellt werden soll. Solltest Du da 1-2 haben sende es mit deiner Einverstandniss zur Abbildung auf der DVD zu. Das Format des Fotos sollte nicht grösser sein als 300dpi 5x7cm aber auch nicht kleiner als 72dpi 5x7cm.
Mariano from Rockaway Records wrote to General:
Don't know if you know that The Ramones "It's Alive" concert from London 31.12.1977 is about to be released on DVD for the first time ever next October. It's gonna be a 2 DVD set with loads of different footage from all the Ramones career from CBGB's 1974 to their last gig in Buenos Aires in 1996. Believe me this is the best Ramones related DVD ever, I saw parts of it and it's awesome how many great gigs they are able to include on it. I've been helping the guy who's producing and compiling it, George Seminara, he directed several of the Ramones promo clips from the late 80's and 90's and was one of Joey's closest friends. Since he knws I am in touch with lots of Ramones fans from all over the place, George has kindly asked me to help him on the search of rare photos of the band taken by their own fans- and that's when I thought about you and your great photos. They are looking to use the pictures in a DVD photo gallery featuring our heroes captured not only on stage, but in candid moments too... They want every fan to limit submissions to two pictures and keep the size of the image small. If possible, the best would be a 300 dpi image should be no bigger than 5x7 or a 72 dpi image should be no smaller than 8x10. If photo(s) are used you will receive a photo credit in the DVD. So let me know if you'd be happy that 2 of your photos could be used, you are free to choose whichever are the two ones preferred by yourself, and then send them to me on that appropraite size I said lines above. It could be really good and will make a very special DVD even more special ! Think about it and let me know, me and George we'll be very grateful if you agree to it. All the best, Mariano AschBuenos Aires, Argentina
Don't know if you know that The Ramones "It's Alive" concert from London 31.12.1977 is about to be released on DVD for the first time ever next October. It's gonna be a 2 DVD set with loads of different footage from all the Ramones career from CBGB's 1974 to their last gig in Buenos Aires in 1996. Believe me this is the best Ramones related DVD ever, I saw parts of it and it's awesome how many great gigs they are able to include on it.