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 I was promised to go to meet David Kelly. David is still living in Brooklyn. We and David's friend Keith were chatting 3-4 hours and drinking Budweiser ("Ramones beer"). I was so happy to see David, so for a long I was not heard of him until he wrote to me week earlier.
I and Diane Hatcher were planned to visit Joey's grave together with Mike Breschard in May 21. Sadly our schedules got mixed because I couldn't reach Diane. There was something wrong with her mobile and also the hotel phone in a room did not work. Mike was visiting Joey's grave alone. Then I walked with David Kelly over the Brooklyn bridge to Manhattan. Diane was waiting me in a hotel. She was bought lovely flowers. It took a while for me and Diane to get to Hillside Cemetery in New Jersey where Joey's grave is. Feelings were then so confused. We gave for Joey from our hearts as good greetings as we can. I was wearing then T-shirt of the Birthday Bash. I and Diane were talking for example of it how hard it was to come to the grave for the first time. So many feelings were then going through us, and also now. Joey's grave is in a peaceful environment and it is good to be there close to him. There was again lot items, for example purple heart-shaped Happy Birthday air balloon, Yohoo bottle, popcorn bag from someone called Big Ace with a text: "Joey, Johnny and Dee Dee. We miss you, and the music.", purple rabbit toy from Debbie, Tracy, Jill and Rick with a happy birthday text, shotglass, ticket of the Stooges show, safety pin, guitar picks, jewelries etc. Some items were there also year before in May, 2006, like painted stone with "Joey lives" text and peace mark, 2 butterflies and dreamcatcher which Diane and I had brought.
Now Diane and I left there for example dark blue dreamcatcher and lot pretty flowers (pink and white peonies, yellow roses and dark pink, magenta and white phloxes). There was a lovely and long letter from someone called Cyndi, she wrote for example: "It's been 6 painful years since you left us... It seems like only yesterday you and the guys were banging out tunes onstage for all of us adoring fans. You're in my thoughs every day." and "Joey, I just wanted to express just how much we miss you. You made the world a really wonderful place."
I left again copy of my Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone book to the grave. I wrote for it: "Love is around of You worldwide, tender thoughs and feelings are coming for You all the time and people know You will return their feelings with a big heart. I and Diane Hatcher wanted to come and be with You here again. And with us came so many fans mentally. Thanks again of everything. And thanks that You make life of so many people happier. Hugs."
Then was time to say goodbye... It was late when we were back in a hotel. Next day I was wandering alone in Central Park before going to meet Arturo Vega. So I did interview with him to my third book. It was this time more of the Johnny. Late evening I and Diane were going to meet with Jimmy Webb. But meeting got cancelled because Slash of the Velvet Revolver (ex-Guns N'Roses) was asked him to Velvet Revolver show that night.

Our hotel room phone got fixed in next morning (Wednesday, May 23). I replied some E-mails and then I and Diane went to visit Trash And Vaudeville. Diane bought from there nice jacket. In a front of Trash And Vaudeville for us started to speak Jon Henry Quinones, he seemed to recognize me. He has been working lot as a bouncer and he knew with Joey Ramone. He went with Joey many times to the bars.
I tried to call for Celine Moray. That night I would have liked her to come with me and Diane also for benefit show of Question Mark of the Mysterians to Highline Ballroom. She couldn't come. Tommy Ramone's and Claudia Tienan's band Uncle Monk was playing there some songs. It was a special night. Question Mark And The Mysterians released in 1966 song called 96 Tears and it was huge hit. The song has been covered for example by Iggy Pop, Primal Scream, Suicide and The Stranglers. Benefit show was organised because Question Mark lost his home, his pets and all his priceless memorabilia in a devastating house fire which spared nothing. That happened in January, 2007. There were on stage that night playing for example Paul Shaffer of The Late Show With David Letterman, Joe Bouchard of the Blue Oyster Cult and John Hawken of The Nashville Teens. Joe Bouchard played for example Blue Oyster Cult song Burnin' For You. I was talking with Tommy Ramone before the show. I also asked from him permission to videotape their performance for my personal use.
Tommy and Claudia were collecting their equipments some minutes and doing a small soundcheck. "Gabba gabba hey", "Let's go Tommy" and "1-2-3-4" were shouted for them then. Tommy told a bit of the Uncle Monk before was time of the opening song Round The Bend from their debut album which was released on March 16, 2006. People were supporting and applausing for Uncle Monk. Tommy played mandolin and Claudia guitar. Next song was Mr. Endicott which is one of my favourite from their album, it has a interesting and relaxing spirit. Tommy sang first songs. Claudia did main vocals on third select which was Home Sweet Reality. There were tables and chairs all around the club. Our table was in a front of the stage. So it was great place to videotape and enjoy the show. They got good feedback of the performance.

After the show Tommy came to sit with me and Diane. Soon Tommy had to go to visit somewhere and then I saw Claudia Tienan standing alone in a club. I went to say greetings for her and I asked she to come to sit with us. Tommy came back and we were watching performances together. Between the shows I did show to him some of my photos from the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. I also gave to him some photos from the Bash in 2006 and Uncle Monk show I attended then etc. I asked from Tommy if he wanna autograph some items. I was happy to get his dedicated autograph for one early Ramones promo photo of him, Joey, Dee Dee and Johnny which Dee Dee signed for me also in past. And for my photo of him and Richie Ramone in 2006. I bought some extra copies of Uncle Monk CD's and Tommy autographed them for Diane and Chrisse Usenius, also he signed one of my books for Tero Jousmäki and also some other copies of my books. Also people next to our table wanted to buy copies of Uncle Monk CD and also of my books. Tommy and Claudia were again really friendly for everyone.
Tommy told for me that he and Claudia were met Question Mark for the first time in Uncle Monk show at the BB King Blues Club in New York on March 18, 2007. Question Mark was asked then from Tommy and Claudia if they would come to play in this benefit show. Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain were speaking on stage before Question Mark performance. Legs and Gillian has wrote together Please Kill Me book.
Brian of The Visitors recognized me and came to chat. His girlfriend was playing in Baby Shake. Baby Shake was last band of the night. It was nice to spend around three hours together with Tommy, Claudia and Diane at this benefit show. It was really great last night for me and Diane in New York. Next morning (Thorsday, May 24) was time to say many thanks for Diane and go to the JKF airport. There I tried to call for David Kelly and Marky Ramone again. Marky was still in Chicago.

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