Rockpedia

In short

A Bowery bar where American punk assembled itself, two years before London made it a headline.

The scene

Between 1974 and 1976 the club's booking policy — original material only — turned a failing country and bluegrass venue into the room where the Ramones, Television, Patti Smith, Blondie and Talking Heads all played to each other. What they had in common was not a sound; the Ramones and Talking Heads share almost nothing musically. It was the conclusion that rock had become too expensive, too long and too professional, and that the way out was to stop asking permission.

What happened

• 1974 CBGB becomes the room where American punk assembles