The club CBGB had a name that stood for “Country, BlueGrass, and Blues,” but it is better known as CBGBs, and it is better known for punk rock, the development of which in the U.S. took place to a great extent on its premises.
Those premises, in Manhattan, were shuttered in 2006, and the location was taken over by the fashion brand John Varvatos. Varvatos has managed the transition in various ways, notably via its extensive association with musicians (including the Roots and Green Day). In this video, shot May 17, 2012, mod icon Paul Weller of the Jam performs a song at the Varvatos store that he first played at CBGB(s) 35 years prior. A current ad campaign for Varvatos features Weller and musician Miles Kane, who was -9 years old at the time of that first concert.
As a side note, I’d long associated Weller with Ben Sherman clothing. I have no idea if that association was in any way a formal business one, or simply a matter of style.
More on the Varvatos-Weller event at examiner.com.
