MY TRIP TO NEW YORK, SAN DIEGO, LOS ANGELES AND TIJUANA IN MAY-JUNE 2007

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Copyright 2007 -> Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone

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Then was hightlight of the night for many people. Tommy Ramone entered stage. I was taking photos next to him when Tommy said: "I want to thank Jari-Pekka from Finland, Mariano from Argentina and photographer John Nikolai." Thanks Tommy. With Mariano Tommy meant Mariano Asch who has released best Ramones tribute album called Todos Somos Ramones. Mariano is also journalist and he was doing interviews etc. with the guys already in early 90's. John Nikolai has been taking lot photos in Ramones events like I wrote before.
Tommy sang first Cretin Hop. He was in a smiling mood. Then I was imagining how much love Joey receive from the fans all around the world. You fans who weren't physically at the Birthday Bash, you were there mentally with us. Tommy dedicated his another song We're A Happy Family for Arturo Vega and Monte Melnick. I took photos from audience when for example Mike Breschard, Adele Holzman and Hannu Jokinen were enjoying and supporting Tommy and players.
Mickey Leigh entered stage next. He was playing for a long time alone Something To Believe In. It delivered beautiful gabba hey feelings to the audience. Then Mickey put his guitar away and he explained how with these Joey Ramone Birthday Bashes is collected money for cancer/ lymphoma research. Then was time of the raffle, so main prize was a T-shirt from Joey Ramone's own collection and second prize was Joey's five CD's. Arturo Vega and Monte Melnick picked up the winners.
Spirit In My House from Joey's solo album and EP was second song which Mickey sang. Then he introduced people who were doing the event. What A Wonderful World was last song before hearts were sending more love and more happy birthday greetings for Joey. Bag pipers were then playing Happy Birthday for our angel. Lot of emotions were on air...

Some fans came to chat with me after the show, like Matthew Toushell thanked me of my site and asked me to never stop keeping this up. I went back to backstage for a while and I was talking with different artists. I also got some photos, like group photo of me, Mickey Leigh, Ed Stasium and Mariano Asch. It was time to leave from Irving Plaza.
I was chatting with Diane Hatcher, Hannu Jokinen, Timo Pullinen, Grace Crook, Cynthia D. Klatt, Marta Alcaraz and Kathy Algozzini outside venue when Mickey Leigh asked if I wanna come to the pub with him and his friends. Sure I was happy to go and it was OK that Diane, Hannu, Timo, Grace, Cynthia, Marta and Kathy also came with us. With Mickey was for example Joey's hairdresser Hugh Mack Dill. We were in a pub around 1,5 hours. It was nice and silent pub where was easy to chat. I was eating there tofu and rice and Hugh ate lot bigger meal even he is much smaller than I. Mickey wanted to pay everything.
Later it was time to send more warm wishes for Joey and then go back to hotel. I and Diane were talking some hours before going to sleep. Like how weird it was that New York was missing now CBGB's. I had confirmed with Arturo Vega that I would visit him with Hannu and Timo in May 20. We bought many Ramones items from Arturo. I also bought some items for my friends, like for Klamydia singer Vesku I found hoodie with a zipper. I and Arturo decided to do new interview in following days. We met with Grace Crook and we were hanging out under the Joey Ramone Place street sign a while. We visited some pub before I tried to get in touch with Marky Ramone. Marky's wife Marion was at home and she told that Marky was in Chicago. Next I called for David Kelly and we decided to meet later that day. I and Grace decided to visit Trash & Vaudeville store in St. Marks Place. I was happy to see store manager Jimmy Webb.

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