Joey Ramone meets Celine Dion

Clear the pogo zone, the times they are changing.

It’s a move that just doesn’t seem right, no matter how hard they try to spin it. CBGB’S the birthplace of The Talking Heads, Blondie, Patti Smith and New York’s favourite sons The Ramones is moving to Las Vegas.

Owing the extremely high rent and caustic relations with the landlords, the famed rock and roll cauldron was scheduled to close its New York doors this September 30th. The plan at the time was to hopefully find a new locale a little less expensive but true to the rocking roots of the original. But as they say all plans can be subject to change, and what a change it’s going to be.

Imagine the surprise to punk and rock aficionados everywhere, to learn that the new CBGB is locating West, Far West as in Celine Dion and Wayne Newton West.

Hilly Kristal, owner of the musical home for an entire genre of music says the new Vegas version won’t be the same size, or the shape but will come complete with all of the historical pieces that made CBGB the club of a generation of rock and rollers, including the urinal in which Joey Ramone would conduct his business before and after shows.

Kristal says he still has plans to open up a New York City club, but with the Vegas hall taking all the good stuff, it most likely won’t have the same, uh ahem, ambience. In fact a move of CBGB to the neon and heat of the desert just conjures up end of an era kind of visions.

Perhaps noted Vegas diva Celine can pop by for a set at the new CBGB. Celine belting out a song set comprised of the Ramones Blitzkreig Bop, Rock and Roll High School, Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue and I Wanna Be Sedated, should convince even the most ardent punk rock era hanger on that end has truly arrived.

If you listen carefully, that sound you hear, it’s Joey Ramone rolling over!