The Blitz Benefit
The Blitz Benefit is a little-known gig which has become known as Punk’s Woodstock. The gig was organised by friends and peers of Dead Boys drummer, Johnny Blitz who was stabbed in New York’s East Village. Being without medical insurance, fellow Punk musicians held a benefit gig to help pay for his medical bills. The gig took place at CBGBs and was held over 4 nights from 4-7 May, 1978. The artists featured were Blondie * Contortions * Corpse Grinders * Criminals * Dead Boys * Derringer * Dictators * Dots * Erasers * Fleshtones * Ghosts * Glen Buxton * Helen Wheels * Jerry Nolan * John Belushi * Jo Nathan * Paley * Mumps * Richard Hell * Ramones * Rudies * Senders* Shrapnel * Sic Fucks * Spicy Bits * Slander Band * Steel Tips * Stilletto * Students Teachers * Stumblebum * Suicide * Bob Rudnick - what a lineup!
The t-shirts for the gig were designed by Arturo Vega and the original vintage tees are hugely rare - check out ours here at Dig Gallery:
