I don't really know why people call it a 'rent dispute' when CBGB's just didn't pay rent for a good couple of months. It's not like someone whole stole an iPod from the store is going to claim he was disputing the price and took it to later negotiate on how much it REALLY was worth paying for.

yea i agree with Wes, Kristal seems like a scheister and i'm pretty sure he knew all along that these "Save CBGBs" shows were just a way for him to make as much money as possible while he still can. these poor people really want to save this place but Kristal doesnt give a fuck, he's cashing in.

Good grief - the guy is stiffing a HOMELESS shelter and he wants sympathy. Please.

Saying that Kristal does leave, I wonder how much it would cost a new lease holder to re-do the place, especially those wretched BATHROOMS! I wonder how this situation played out in the case of the Fillmore East becoming what is now the Emigrant Savings Bank on 2nd Ave.

YAS HALLO I AM TO WONDERING A QUESTION -- WHEN IS GREEN DAY PERFORM WITH CBGB IT WILL BRING THE MONIES IN NECESSITY TO SAVE THE DOMICILE FROM EXCTINTION THANK U --

I totally agree with Dave Bob. Exactly, it's a homeless shelter. There are more important things worth saving- like Coney Island and downtown Brooklyn.

Erm...some clarification is sorely warranted here. There was never a "back rent" dispute.

CBGB's and its landlord was in a rental increase dispute, for which the Bowery Residents' Committee, the "homeless shelter" (the center above CBGB's is actually a rehab/recovery shelter) did not bill CBGB's for over three years. Kristal paid the same rent, as previously paid, to the BRC throughout the time the rental increase dispute was in the courts. Also, CBGB's not only pays for its rent, it pays the BRC's rent upstairs, which the BRC in turn pays to the building owner, Mike Gatto.

Fact is, even the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recongizes CBGBs as a notable rock and roll venue. If any other club comes around and its landlord wants to raze it to the ground, it will be a lot easier to do so in the future - homeless shelter as its landlord, or not. A precedent is being set in the CBGB's case.

Its about keeping the NYC and the Bowery flavor authentic and intact. It is about respecting our musical culture. And while I do *get* that CBGB's is not hosting bands a lot of people would like to see these days, historically, it has done a lot of good for New York City. Call Hilly negligent for allowing the bookings to fall into a slump. Or just call him old.

Like, 74 years old.

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