CBGB has been closed since 2006 and yet the legendary East Village venue in New York City may be about to enter its most profitable period. The company (yeah, it's a company now) announced that it had entered a contract with Epic Rights to handle its global branding, licensing and rights management.
"For 37 years, CBGB was home to punks, misfits and lovers of music," said Tim Hayes, president of the CGGB label, to The Hollywood Reporter. "We want to create the same sort of environment where people can come together in other cities. We've had a request from Tokyo."
Hayes said he was a fan of what Epic had done for Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS and their chain of rock 'n' roll themed restaurants, Rock & Brews. Nothing is official on whether CBGB will become a restaurant chain as well but we'd expect something in line with the House of Blues franchise...a series of restaurants that also feature concert venue capabilities.
Establishment aside, CBGB as a name alone has enormous merchandising opportunities. No doubt you've seen a T-shirt at any given concert featuring the iconic logo. That person probably didn't attend a show at the actual venue so that shirt was bought at a retailer. If CBGB can cut out the middle man and sell their own merchandise a la Hard Rock Cafe then they'll be in the big money.
The CBGB name has also been kept alive via the film festival of the same name, which will celebrate its third year in 2014.
Does a chain of clubs suit the personality of the venue that broke dozens of alt-rock acts during the '70s, from The Ramones to Patti Smith and Blondie? Debatable. But it's a name that isn't fading away anytime soon.
