Hilly Kristal, who opened the hugely influential New York club, CGGB's, back in 1973, has died following complications arising from lung cancer.

CBCG's is credited as being the place where the Ramones, Blondie, and Patti Smith were all discovered. Throughout its life, it was host to hundreds of hugely influential acts. Even now, a guy in my office is wearing a CBGB's imitation t-shirt.

Tributes have come in from bands all over the world who played the legendary venue, which was forced to close its doors in 2006, following disputes over rising rents.