Save CBGB


Every now and then, wonderful things happen at a rock show. I once saw Junior Senior's bassist jump on his instrument like a trampoline after Senior bowled it to him, and there's an up-front glimpse of Karen O's camel toe that I will never, ever forget. And last night, I got a real wow for the first time in a while.

In this really exciting and altogether frustrating time, I am weary of hype and hungry for talent, a combination that keeps me at shows, leaves me cold sometimes, and lends itself to way too many scotch and sodas. I'm always happy to see a real live fucking legend, and hearing someone who rocked hard before I was even born still screaming out their rebellious siren cry tends to give me pause. I was already thrilled to get the chance to see Ms. Patti Smith do her thing at the place that made her famous, so imagine my delight when who do I spot at one of the tables in the back but Michael fucking Stipe.

I don't bother celebrities as a rule, save for an errant run-in with Dan Aykroyd after a regrettable run-in with the Jack Daniels girls, but I was happy to see Mr. Stipe because I knew he and Patti share a special bond, and I was pretty sure he would hop on stage for a number or two. Well, he did, for THREE songs, including Because the Night. And Patti talked all night about how much she loved him, and about how much she loves cb's and about the early days with Television and about watching people do blow in cb's back office. This was great in itself, but then Patti came back to the mike and melted me by whispering "easy to poke yourself square in the eye...." She covered Saturn Return, with perfect soulful pain and anger, she fucked it up, she sang it again, and she renewed my faith in rock and roll.

Do yourself a big favor and the next time you think about trolling outside Webster Hall for tickets to some sold-out show, go to CB's and see a burgeoning local act instead. It's a legendary, magical place, and one where The People (still) Have the Power.