Influential New Yorker who helped promote the City’s musical heritage

Hilly Kristal, who died on 28 August 2007, aged 75, held a prominent place in New York City night-life after opening the doors to the CBGB nightclub in 1973.

A popular haunt amongst New York musicians the CBGB served as a venue for up and coming artists such as The Ramones and Blondie to establish a footing in the competitive American music scene.

The club continued for more than three decades, with Mr Kristal overseeing both its rise and fall.

There was talk of relocating the CBGB to Las Vegas in the wake of its closure in autumn 2006, with Mr Kristal attempting to re-establish the clubs success without the alluring New York backdrop. But it was a dream too far for Mr Kristal who died from lung cancer, before a possible move could be completed.

Hillel Kristal was born on 23 September 1931, in New York. He later moved with his family to New Jersey expressing a love of music throughout his childhood.

On leaving home to attend the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia, he learned enough about the medium for him to want pursue a career as a musician.

He returned to New York, and far from hiding in the shadows, began showcasing his talent as choral singer regularly appearing on stage at Radio City Music Hall in midtown Manhattan.

Mr Kristal also took on a managerial role at the Village Vanguard Jazz club in Greenwich Village in 1959.

Less than a decade later he made his riskiest career move yet. After scouring New York for a suitable venue, Mr Kristal opened the nightclub Hilly’s on the Bowery in 1966.

It was a surprise success, although its location in Bowery caused concern for local residents. After complaints about the noise Mr Kristal had no choice but to close Hilly’s for good in 1973.

Despite the apparent setback, he went on to open the CBGB club, so-called for its promotion of country, blue grass and blues music.

The CBGB club opened in December 1973 and almost immediately became a popular venue. Introducing New York’s best handful of musicians, audiences regularly turned out to see bands entertain them.

Notable performances from Patti Smith and The Ramones helped elevate CBGB to cult status as Mr Kristal addressed New York’s changing music scene by allowing new wave and punk rock music to be performed at his club throughout the 1970s and 80s.

After over thirty years in the music business, he was forced to call time on his career as nightclub owner when he landed in financial difficulties arising from spiralling costs of keeping CBGB a fresh and innovative venue for 21st century local music.

The CBGB club finally closed on 15 October 2006 calling time on Mr Kristal’s illustrious and influential career in the New York music scene.