Two Legendary Venues, Two Great Books: Dive into the Histories of CBGB and the Marquee Club

This fall, music lovers and history buffs alike have something to look forward to with the release of two definitive books on legendary music venues: This Ain't No Disco: The Story of CBGB by Roman Kozak with photos by Ebet Roberts, and Marquee: The Story of the World’s Greatest Music Venue by Robert Sellers and Nick Pendleton. Both books, available on October 15, capture the spirit, chaos, and cultural impact of these iconic clubs that shaped the music scenes in New York and London.

This Ain't No Disco: The Story of CBGB

CBGB wasn’t just a venue—it was the cradle of punk rock and new wave in 1970s America. This small rock club on New York City’s Bowery became a launching pad for bands that would go on to revolutionize music: the Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, and Television, to name a few. The club’s evolution continued in the '80s as it became a hotbed for New York hardcore.

This Ain't No Disco, first published in 1988 and out of print for decades, is finally being reissued, offering readers a gritty, no-holds-barred look at the club's history. Roman Kozak's book, penned when CBGB was still in operation and many of its key players were still alive, provides an unfiltered narrative told by those who lived it—musicians, staff, and patrons. It is filled with candid quotes from CBGB founder Hilly Kristal, members of the Ramones, Talking Heads, Blondie, and others who helped shape the club’s legacy.

This new edition comes with a foreword by Chris Frantz of Talking Heads and includes 12 pages of rare photographs by Ebet Roberts, along with additional reporting on the club's closing in 2006. The book brings to life the sweat, grit, and rebellion that defined CBGB, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the raw history of punk rock and the club that made it famous.

Marquee: The Story of the World’s Greatest Music Venue

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, London's Marquee Club was making its own history. Starting as a jazz club on Oxford Street in 1958, the Marquee evolved with the times and became a cornerstone of London's music scene. The club hosted a range of acts from the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds, and Led Zeppelin to the Sex Pistols, the Police, and Iron Maiden. It was a space where R&B, hard rock, progressive rock, punk, and heavy metal found a stage.

Marquee: The Story of the World’s Greatest Music Venue, written by Robert Sellers and Nick Pendleton, delves deep into the club's 30-year reign. Co-written by the son of the club’s founders, the book is a treasure trove of stories, milestones, and behind-the-scenes drama. It captures the spirit of a venue where musical legends were made, showcasing its journey from a modest jazz club to a global institution that attracted acts like AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, and more.

Packed with interviews, anecdotes, and memories from musicians, staff, and fans, this book is a fascinating exploration of a venue that played a pivotal role in rock history. The Marquee's walls have absorbed countless stories of triumph, chaos, and revolution, and this book ensures they won’t be forgotten.