CBGB's founder passes away at 74

Hilly Kristal the founder of the famous NY club CBGB's that launched the Ramones passes away on August 29th 2007 from cancer. He gave many bands like the Ramones a place to play their music. The only requirement was you had to play your own original music.
A history of the club written by Hilly Kristal can be found at the club's website:
CBGB.com.
Time magazine interview from last November after the club had closed down:
Hilly Kristal Interview