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Patti Smith Enlists Flea and Richard Lloyd for CBGB Swan Song |
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Written by Mike Greenhaus
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Tuesday, 17 October 2006 |
After 33 years of live music--and more than a year of public disputes with
its landlord--CBGB hosted its final performance last night. Bringing the
club full circle, one of CBGB's first success stories, Patti Smith, returned
for one final performance, hosting a guest-laden, two-set show which
stretched 
into the wee hours of the night. Smith, whose proto-punk mix of
poetry and rock inspired many of CBGB's early mainstays, took a trip through
the club's history, covering material by Blondie ("The Tide is
High"), the Velvet Underground ("Pale Blue Eyes"), the Ramones ("Blitzkrieg
Bop," "Beat the Brat" and "Rock & Roll Radio") and the Dead Boys ("Sonic
Reducer"). Smith also nodded to the Rolling Stones, the Byrds, the Who and
the Yardbirds and brought out CBGBs veteran Richard Lloyd (Television) for a
cover of his group's "Marquee Moon." Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea
also emerged for "Redondo Beach" and performed
throughout the guitarist's second set. Smith capped off her performance with
the one-two-three punch of "Horses," "Gloria" and "Elegie." On
Saturday, Tommy Ramone, the only remaining member of the group's original
lineup, joined the Dictators for a version of the Ramones' "Blitzkrieg
Bop." Blondie also crammed into the intimate venue Saturday for a rare
acoustic performance. While nothing is set in stone, CBGB will likely relocate to Las Vegas after
Halloween. The club's owner, Hilly Kristal, is currently undergoing
treatment for lung cancer.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 19 October 2006 )
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