New York City Club Legend Don Hill Dead at 66 - Spinner

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Don Hill, 66, one of New York City's veteran nightclub fixtures,passed awayon Thursday (March 31).

The New Jersey native was best known for supporting New York City's growing rock scene. Hill was a staple at the city's East Village Cat Club in 1985, where he served as the bar's manager. Bands fromPoisontoSoundgardenwere put on rock's radar as a result of playing at the venue. Then there was his famed Greenwich street bar, aptly named Don Hill's, which he opened in 1993. Punk bands and rockers alike came from everywhere to play at the legendary hotspot.

After hearing the news of his passing, music industry associates expressed their sentiments for Hill.

"He was a wonderful guy,"saidRamonesmanagerDanny Fields."He was the last of the great hosts of that era. A gentleman."

Though Hill's club was named after him, he relinquished control over it last year. Nur Khan and Paul Sevigny reopened Don Hill's in September 2010.

"He was a dear friend of mine for over 20 years,"Khan said in a statement."I am honored and proud to carry on his legacy."

Don Hill's cause of death has not yet been revealed. A friend of his, Bebe Buell, disclosed that he was rushed to the hospital on Thursday and died that evening.

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