- Joey Ramone Place Rio store was opened years ago and in June,
2014, was re-opening event. Joey Ramone's brothe Mickey Leigh wrote
then:
- I'll be doing a show in Rio De Janeiro on June 14th, 2014, to
celebrate the grand re-opening of Joey Ramone Place Rio.
Again, any $ I make from that show or profit from the merchandise sold
that night will go to a charity for children in the favellas, Leigh
informed.
But in November 2015, Joey Ramone Place Rio store got closed. Address
of store was in Rio De Janeiro:
Galeria River, Rua Francisco Otaviano, 67 / Loja 46,
Rio De Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. (Updated: October 20,
2014).
- Joey Ramone Place Rio store was opened years ago and in June,
2014, was re-opening event. Joey Ramone's brothe Mickey Leigh wrote:
- I'll be doing a show in Rio De Janeiro on June 14th, 2014, to
celebrate the grand re-opening of Joey Ramone Place Rio.
Again, any $ I make from that show or profit from the merchandise sold
that night will go to a charity for children in the favellas, Leigh
informed.
And in October 2014, was created new website and store for Joey Ramone
Place Rio. Visit site here.
Address of store in Rio De Janeiro:
Galeria River, Rua Francisco Otaviano, 67 / Loja 46,
Rio De Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. (Updated: October 20,
2014).
- 14th Joey Ramone Birthday Bash is in Joey's birthday at The Bowery
Electric in New York, USA on May 19, 2014. I want to make pre-party also
this year: it is at 5PM at Manitoba's in May 19. Address: 99
Avenue B (Between 6th & 7th Street). It is only 7-10 minutes of walking
from The Bowery Electric.
Doors are open 6PM and of the some reason The Independents starts their
set already at 7.30PM.
Joey was kind of manager to The Independents and supporter band heavily.
Check out their new album
Into
the Light.
This is first year when any Ramones member won't attend show. Tommy
Ramone, CJ Ramone and Richie Ramone confirmed that for me. CJ is
touring. Marky Ramone do not want to support Joey Ramone Birthday
Bash.
I announced big list of artists before Joey's brother Mickey Leigh in
April 8, 2014, as many people outside of USA were waiting information
if they do or not book flights to New York because of event.
Artists are: Joey Ramone Friends band featuring Cheetah Chrome (The
Dead Boys), Glen Matlock (ex-Sex Pistols etc.), George Tabb, Mickey
Leigh, Walt Stack, Emily H. Brout, Arno Hecht, Sic F*cks etc..
Matlock will also do an solo set. Other artists and groups
performing are: Andy Shernoff (The Dictators), Glen Matlock,
The Gobshites, The Independents, David Peel, The A-Bones, High
Waisted, The Accelerators and The Bullys.
The Accelerators was chosen to play after a contest. Joey Ramone
image to poster etc. was also chosen after contest, work is created
by Ramones' fan Marie-Andree Laferriere.
MC's are John Holmstrom (Punk Magazine), Monte A. Melnick (Ramones' tour
manager), Stig Stench and Peter Aschner. Sean O'Sullivan's
Punk Pipers will play Happy Birthday for Joey Ramone, as usual.
So the bash will be underneath the Joey Ramone Place street
sign at the Bowery Electric in New York, USA. Mickey makes big work
to get event together. Age limit +21, tickets in advance 25$ and
from door 30$. Doors open at 6PM. I will attend event and I
will have with me
from my books
Ramones:
Soundtrack Of Our Lives (2009) and
Heaven Needed A
Lead Singer: Fans Remember Joey Ramone (2002).
Last year Joey Ramone Birthday Bash was the first time at the Bowery
Electric and it was much more crowded than in last few years before.
Venue was one big reason for that. Of the Ramones members Tommy Ramone
and Richie Ramone were at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash in 2011, Tommy
Ramone in 2012 and CJ Ramone in 2013. See here
some comments of 2013 event and here my long report from 2012
and here my long review
and story from 2011.
See more history of Joey Ramone Birthday Bashes
and my Joey
Ramone
memorial site here. (Updated: April 15, 2014)
- Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh and Legs McNeil wrote together a
book titled I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir. First time it got
published in December 2009. Read more
information here. Mickey E-mailed me the book was also now published
in Portuguese in Brazil. Title is Eu Dormi Com Joey Ramone: Memorias De
Uma Familia Punk Rock. Earlier book got published in English, Finnish
(title: Veljeni Joey Ramone) and French ( I Slept With Joey Ramone:
Histoire D'une Famille Punk Rock). (February 3, 2014)
- September 20, 2013 is 5th Annual Benefit Rock To
Cure Cancer, benefit for Lymphoma Research Foundation in honor of Joey
Ramone, at The Pool House, Bellmore, NY, USA. In addition to CJ Ramone
on September 20, will play bands like Borgo Pass,
iRideSense and Rick & Ted. Admission: 10$ donation at the door. See
more details here.
Since 2009 to present date, Rock To Cure Cancer events have generated
6145 US$ for Lymphoma Research Foundation,
in memory of Joey Ramone. If you are unable to attend this event,
you may make your donation
directly through
this page, note total donations from events will not show up on this
page
. (August 23, 2013)
- Joey Ramone Birthday Bash was organized also this year on May 19,
2013. Venue was under the Joey Ramone Place sign, at The Bowery
Electric, New York, NY, Bowery, USA.
I was afraid that last year (2012) we experienced last Joey Ramone
Birthday
Bash. Not too many of Ramones fans will know how big work it is to
organize. There are many things in a background. Joey turned 62 years on
May 19, 2013. (And I turned 35 years).
- There will be history in the making at this year's Birthday Bash,
Mickey hinted in early 2013 and referred to he and CJ Ramone being on
stage for the first time together. Is that really the making history?
Mickey is regular musician and Richie Ramone and Marky Ramone has also
brothers.
In March, 2013, CJ Ramone confirmed to me that he is playing at the Joey
Ramone Birthday Bash on May 19, 2013. In May 5, 2013, I confirmed if he
plays twice that night: with his band and in Joey Ramone Friends
set.
- Yes, I am scheduled to play at Joey's birthday party with my band and
with the All Star band. I am looking forward to it!, wrote CJ.
In April were announced these artists playing in Joey
Ramone Tribute band: CJ, Walter Lure (The Waldos/ Heartbreakers), Al
Maddy, Andy Shernoff (The Dictators etc.), George Tabb,
John Xavier (The Nightcaps), Walt Stack (The Bullys), Mickey
Leigh...
So CJ Ramone also played a set with his band. Other artists did include
The Independents (Joey was kind of The Independents manager and
performed often with them), The Bullys, Ingrid & the Defectors,
Heap and The Sic F*cks.
Admission was 20 US$ advance, 25US$ day of show. Doors were open at
6:30pm, and the show started at 7pm. Age limit: 21 years.
This was the first Joey Ramone Birthday Bash where CJ played. There
are many reason for that why it not happened earlier. CJ Ramone has
played in some other Joey memorials, like at the CBGB's on May 19,
2002. Event was then organized by Ramones artist director Arturo
Vega.
Joey Ramone Birthday Bash has organized every year in May 19, after our
Joey passed away on April 15, 2001. (Updated: May 25,
2013)
- Joey Ramone was a kind of manager of The Independents (USA). Joey
really loved that horror punk band and also performed often as their
special guest. Joey Ramone's final performances were Christmas Bash at
The Continental, NYC, USA, on December 11, 2000, and Evil Presly's
birthday party
at Manitoba's, NYC, USA, on December 12, 2000. Evil is singer for The
Independents
and band performed in both shows.
Joey, along with Daniel Rey produced The Independents album
Back From The Grave etc.
Now in April 2013, for the first time CD's were repressed in their
original form. Albums are Back From The Grave (2001), Live From Murder
Beach (2003), Eternal Bond (2005), The Early Years (2006) and Do It
Again (2008). If you order three or more
of the CD's, you will receive an extra special limited edition gift.
CD's
are 10 US$ each + postage. Postage is 5 US$ inside the USA and 15$ for
outside the USA. Order CD's by paying PayPal to willyindep@aol.com or
ask
more details by E-mail: willyindep@aol.com.
Visit their
homepage here. You can read really lot material related to Joey's
The
Independents things from my debut book Heaven Needed A
Lead Singer: Fans Remember Joey Ramone. (April 16,
2013)
- Original version of I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir book by
Legs McNeil and Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh got published on
December 1, 2009. It got translated and published in Finnish by
Like Kustannus in May,
2011.
Now in early 2013, I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir got
translated and published in France on January 15, 2013. Title of French
edition is: I Slept With Joey Ramone:
Histoire D'une Famille Punk Rock. Book was translated by Janique Jouin
and published by Camion Blanc. (April 8,
2013).
- Brent "Aldo" Alden of False Alarm etc. has compiled and created with
Adam Wilson, Atom Kaos, Alfred Estrada, Mike Rangel and JP Proper
compilation CD titled Chaotic Reasoning Vol. 3. CD has 31 songs and
label is Kaos Records.
Compilation include Youth Gone Mad Feat. Dee Dee Ramone song False Alarm
and Furious George Feat. Joey Ramone song Gilligan. Also for example
these songs: False Alarm Feat. Cheetah Chrome: Youth Gone Mad, False
Alarm Feat. Fat Mike: Self Destruction, Los Gattos: Movin' On, Shattered
Faith: Strange Daze and The Charles Dukowski Sextet: Sweet Chariot.
(February 25, 2013)
- There is an auction of Joey Ramone's personal items, they are
auctioned by his estate (that means nowadays mainly his brother Mickey).
Items are accompanied by a letter signed by Mickey, which
verifies their provenance. Items include guitars, a custom made leather
jacket with animal print pocket flaps, hand cuffs, 17 auction of
handwritten lyrics and notes for songs like Chop Suey, Censorshit and
Duke Of Earl, four glasses, lot of T-shirts, belts etc. I do not know
how can be sold Joey's passport..., issued on September 9, 1986.
Highest bid of passport was 7797 dollars in February 20. Handwritten
lyrics sheets and notes were between 240-700 dollars in February 20.
There is sold also part of Joey's vinyl record collection, consisting of
97 records in their original album sleeves. The
collection
includes records by Iggy Pop, The Human League, The Who, Bob Dylan and
The Doors. The collection is said to be "In overall very good to fine
condition, with various scattered creases and small tears to sleeves,
affixed prices tags and labels, and marks to vinyl."
Highest bid of record collection was 2529 dollars in February 20.
Starting prices are mainly 200$ for items (records not sold one at a
time). It is good to note that a buyer's premium of 20% will be added to
all winning bids.
Auction is held by RR Auctions of New Hampshire The bidding opens
on February 14 and ends on February 21. There was a sneak peak at items
up for bid at Bowery Electric this Thurs 2/7 from 5PM to 7PM. News was
reported first in New York Post newspaper in February 4, 2013, and
later widely. See
auction list here.
Joey's brother Mickey wrote on Facebook why he gotta now make money. He
wrote:
Mickey: "As the IRS walloped me with a huge inheritance tax, and to
spare us all
the paperwork of a tax evasion charge (joking, half) - yes, I have to
auction off some of my brother's belongings. It's been a painstaking,
heartbreaking process deciding what items I can part with, but, just so
you know, I'm not selling these items out of a booth in my brother's
lobby. I made an arrangement with RR Auctions who will handle the
proceedings, so, no point in asking if I'll sell you one sneaker from
the pair, or rip you a page out of his passport. I couldn't sell you a
finger from one of his fingerless gloves at this point. It's outta my
hands. A chunk will go to Lymphoma Research, the rest to our dear old
Uncle Sam. and I hope he spends the money wisely", said Mickey.
(Updated: February 20, 2013)
- Little Steven's The Underground Garage radio program has The Coolest
Songs In The World 2012 vote. You may vote once every 24 hours - Voting
ends 12:00 PM December 28th, 2012. One song is Rock And Roll Is The
Answer from Joey
Ramone's ...Ya Know? album. You can
vote here.
Rock And Roll Is The Answer is written by Joey Ramone and
Richie Stotts already in 1984. Stotts tells more about that song in
his interview on my third book Ramones:
Soundtrack Of Our Lives, and how it found a way to this Joey's
second solo album.
Other songs in The Coolest Songs In The World 2012 vote include Hives:
Go Right Ahead, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang: Love Me Kill Me, Aerosmith: Oh
Yeah, The Noisettes: That Girl and The Hangmen: Homesick Blues.
So you can
vote here. (November 25, 2012)
- One Record Store Day's exclusive Black Friday release is Joey Ramone's
...Ya Know? limited
edition deluxe album. Package contains full album with expanded
booklet and 40 minutes long
DVD and 5' green single vinyl = playable floppy disc of Merry Christmas
(I Don't Want To Fight Tonight) that can be hung as an ornament.
Release date: November 23, 2012, on Record Store Day. ONLY 500 COPIES
PRESSED as a Record Store Day release. I think this is now only in the
USA?
So release include a DVD: it has interviews with Elvis Costello,
Kirk Hammett, Debbie Harry, Anthony Kiedis, Joe Strummer and others.
- DVD is assembled by Ramones filmographer, George Seminara, containing
home-movie footage shot by Joey in the late 70's early 80's, added
Joey's brother Mickey Leigh.
I got information that new version of ...Ya Know? with DVD comes out
also as a regular release later.
The special releases for Record Store Day are made to be sold solely at
independently owned record stores on the day that Record Store Day takes
place. Other releases in November 23, 2012 include
Velvet Underground & Nico: Scepter
Studios Acetate (vinyl), Joan Jett: Bad Reputation (180 grams clear
vinyl with bonus CD), three Volbeat's
album (12' picture discs) and Joe Strummer: Live at Acton Town (double
12' vinyl). More information
here of Record
Store Day and here of ...Ya
Know?. (November 9, 2012)
- September 25, 2012, was published pretty cool video of New York City
song.
Song is from Joey Ramone's second solo album titled ...Ya
Know?. Video is
featuring Tommy Ramone, many fans, photographer Bob Gruen, musician Andy
Shernoff, producer/musician Ed Stasium, musician Andrew W.K.,
chef-tv-personality Anthony Bourdain, musician Mickey Leigh, actor
Kristen Schaal, comedian and musician Reggie Watts, actor Scott
Adsit, writer/actor John Lutz...
Director is Greg
Jardin, Producer is Jessica
Roulston, Art Director is Nash Dunnigan, Character Animator is Jessica
Polaniecki and Executive Producer is Jennifer Heath. Click to see video
in right... (UPDATED: November 9, 2012)
- In Brazil, Joey Ramone Place Store bring to Rio De Janeiro Joey's
brother Mickey Leigh and they celebrate ...Ya Know? in Brazilian release
event at Lapa Irish Pub on July 19, 2012. Mickey will be playing with
Ramones tribute band Commando. Mickey played with Commando as well in
2010, together with Richie Ramone. Address: Rua Evaristo da Veiga, 147,
Rio de Janeiro, BR. Read more of ...Ya
Know? here. (July 16, 2012)
- Italian BMG Rights Management organise presentation and a
party-tribute event for Joey
Ramone's second solo album ...Ya
Know? at Alcatraz, Milan, Italy on
Saturday 26, 2012. Street address: Via Valtellina 25.
Here are details of Italian release dates: "The new album by Joey
Ramone, ...ya know?, will be out on May 28th, 2012, in the traditional
and digital stores, and on May 31st with the magazine Xl."
Within the evening, hosted by Marco Biondi from Virgin Radio, it will
be possible to listen to the playback of the whole album prior release.
There will also be a performance of Cavrones, one of Italy's biggest
tribute bands of the Ramones and some lucky guests will have a surprise.
Start at 22.30hrs. Ticket is before midnight euro 6 for women, euro 10
for men, with the download of the coupon from
www.alcatrazmilano.com. (May
21, 2012)
- Joey Ramone Birthday Bash in 2012 is again at Joey's birthday May 19,
2012 (and mine birthday). Event will celebrate the May 22nd, 2012,
release of Joey Ramone's 2nd full length album, ...Ya
Know?
Entire album will be played at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash at
live. Joey's brother Mickey Leigh and Tommy Ramone confirmed me both
that Tommy will perform at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash on May 19,
2012.
Here are other confirmed artists who will be performing songs from
Joey's upcoming album: Mickey Leigh, Ed Stasium, Richie Stotts, Ross
the Boss, Thunderbolt Patterson, Jean Beauvoir, Al Maddy, Bebe Buell,
Joey Lanz, Walt Stack, Yoav, Alex Holyboy, Tish & Snooky, Tina Ingrid,
Louisa Bradshaw, Amy Hartman...
Richie Ramone, CJ Ramone and Marky Ramone aren't attending this
Birthday Bash.
Support bands rocking at the event are Ivan Julian, The Bullys,
The
Brats, The Threads and
The
Indecent. The Gobshites had to
cancel because one member is sick.
Joey wanted and loved to promote smaller bands, so Mickey is carrying
torch great way also this year.
Venue is The Studio at Webster Hall in New York. Place only holds 400
people. Event isn't sold-out yet (situation in April 30, 2012).
You can buy tickets
here.
- Tickets are 40 dollars, and include admission into the event, a
special Joey Ramone Birthday Bash limited edition copy ...Ya Know?
Album signed by the performers (hopefully by all of them), and an
official Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2012 T-shirt, explains Joey's
brother Mickey Leigh.
So attendees of the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash will receive the album
prior to it being available to the general public. In other words = you
can get it before release date!
Doors open at 7PM. Tickets got on sale Saturday, March 3rd at 10AM. You
can buy tickets
here. All profit goes to cancer research. More
details of this and older Birthday Bashes here.
PRE-MEETING: This year we will have pre-meeting at Manitobas
bar, owned by Dictators' singer Handsome Dick Manitoba. Let's meet there
at 6PM. Event at The Studio at Webster Hall starts 8PM
(doors open 7.30PM). Manitobas homepage. Address: 99
Avenue B (Btwn 6th & 7th Street), New York. NY. Phone: (212) 982-2511
(Updated: May 13, 2012)
- Release date of Joey Ramone's second solo album has delayed many
times, and many years..
BUT IN FEBRUARY 2012 things got ready. Album is titled ...Ya Know?
Release date was told to be then May 15, 2012, but it got changed and in
March 20 got confirmed new release date May 22.
Title is named after the way Joey used to end every sentence in his
Queens drawl..
- The highly anticipated 2nd solo LP from Joey Ramone is going to be
released May 22nd, 2012, by BMG Rights Management, preceded by the
single Rock And Roll Is The Answer, with There's Got To Be More To
Life, which will be available
as 7' vinyl single on Record Store Day, April 21st, 2012, said
Joey's brother Mickey Leigh.
RollingStone magazine published B side There's Got
To Be More To Life on
their site, April 20, 2012.
Fastest Ramones drummer Richie Ramone will sign copies of 7" at
Permanent Records in LA on April 21, 2012.
Leigh explained the tracks were drawn from a cache of demos and
unreleased recordings that Joey had cut at various times during the last
decade and a half of his life.
- Album was going to have 17 songs on two 12' 180 gram audiophile vinyl,
double gatefold cover. Digital download & CD available May 22 2012,
confirmed news producer Ed Stasium.
- Because of a last minute glich, two songs had to be cut off, said
Leigh on March 20, 2012.
So album has 15 songs.
The tracks are songs that Joey had written, several co-written with Dee
Dee Ramone and one with Ramones producer Daniel Rey.
Musicians playing in this album include Richie Ramone, Mickey Leigh,
Andy Shernoff (Dictators etc.), Little Steven (Steven Van Zandt) (Bruce
Springteen's E Street Band etc.), Richie Stotts (The Plasmatics etc.),
Joan Jett, Thunderbolt Patterson (Dictators), Bun E. Carlos (Cheap
Trick), Dennis Diken (Smithereens), Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Group),
Holly Beth Vincent...
Read lot
more information on here, see video of single, tracklisting
information etc.
(Updated: April 18, 2012)
- Joey Ramone's close friend Andy Shernoff published solo 7' inch vinyl
single (October, 2011). It has songs Are You Ready To Rapture? and Make
Me Tremble. Make
Me Tremble is unreleased song by Joey Ramone and Andy Shernoff.
- Make Me Tremble was a demo that I decided to release as the B-side to
my new single with the blessings of Joey's estate, explained Andy.
So this is official release?
- Since it was a song that Joey sang and co-wrote I needed to get the
approval of his estate. So yes it's an official release. The song shows
the tender, hippie side of Joey, one not usually seen. It's definitely
for the real fans. I would also love it if everybody checked out my new
animation at Andyshernoff.com or
from YouTube,
said Shernoff.
Single is for sale in these distributors: USA
store,
and UK store and
other
European countries.
Andy, are you planning to concentrate more to solo career?
- I am playing at least once a week in New York (Lakeside Lounge,
located in Manhattan's groovy
East Village. 162 Avenue B @ East 10th Street) with a small group of
friends. We're working out my
new songs. It's really been alot of fun. I have plans to record again
early next year so I'm pretty
excited, feels Shernoff.
I do mention here some background information. Shernoff is a founding
member of The Dictators. Also
known of groups like The Masterplan and Manitoba's Wild Kingdom. He
plays in Joey's first solo, has
wrote to Ramones albums songs like Ignorance Is Bliss (with Joey), my
Top-10 Ramones song It's Gonna
Be Alright (with Joey), I Won't Let It Happen (with Joey), and to Joey's
Don't Worry About Me album
Stop Thinking About It with Joey. And to Dee Dee Ramone & I.C.L.C.'s I
Hate Freaks Like You album
song Chinese Bitch with Dee Dee. (November 23, 2011)
- Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh has new group called Mickey Leigh's
New Yorkestra, his
first original band in 10 years featuring all his original material.
Since Joey became an angel, Mickey has been
busy with taking more care of Ramones Productions, working with Joey's
solo debut (2002) and Joey's upcoming second
solo album, organising Joey Ramone Birthday Bashes and other kind of
Joey memorials, writing and publishing his
autobiographical book I Slept
With Joey Ramone; A Punk-Rock Family Memoir, and collaborating on
its screenplay etc. - I finally can get
back to playing my own material and forming a new band. The debut
performance is with The Incedent and Rew Starr at
Webster Hall, New York, USA, on November 17, 2011. We'll be
incorporating a variety of styles ranging from punk,
rock, jazz, folk even neo-gospel and melding it into something all our
own. The only word I can think of to
categorize it is "eclectic," unless I start making up my own terms like
'turnstyle,' urban mutant or melding pot.
We're hoping to present a musical, theatrical show that, although edgy,
will be fun for the whole family, including
pets, says Mickey. The band consists of Mickey Leigh (lead guitar,
lead vocals), Dave Merrill (bass, related to
Rattlers band), Pat Carpenter (drums, related to Stop band), Al Maddy
(guitar, The Nightcaps, Ivan Julian), Alex
Holyboy (keyboards) and Steve Brown (percussion, Rattlers). Al Maddy
got to know Joey Ramone better in 1991,
even Maddy's former band the Nitecaps opened some shows for the Ramones
in the mid-80's. He has interesting stories
of Joey to tell, you can read Al's interview on Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives. Since
this is
comprised of a multi-ethnic line-up of musicians gathered from the five
boroughs, Mickey dubbed it his New
Yorkestra This unlimited framework allows Leigh not only to draw
material from the vast catalogue of songs he's
written throughout his career for prior bands: Birdland w/ L Bangs, The
Rattlers, Crown The Good and STOP, but
also, and to a larger extent, present previously unreleased and freshly
written material. - What makes this
project so interesting and entertaining is that all the colors of the
spectrum will be present, making it so
diverse. (Updated: November 3, 2011)
- We can gongralute Daily News (newspaper) writer Michael O'Keefe, as
NY Mets baseball team took the advice of his Daily News article and
celebrated the birthday of Joey Ramone during the team's 1-0 victory
over the Nationals at Citi Field Thursday, a day when he would have
been 60 years old (May 19, 2011).
The Mets honored Joey Ramone by playing a tribute video on the Citi
Field scoreboard. The nod to the punk rock pioneer was sparked by a
column Michael O'Keefe wrote that pointed out that the Giants won the
World
Series after honoring the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia.
Here's a what Michael wrote in February, 2011:
"The Mets should honor Joey Ramone because, with his leather jacket,
ripped jeans, long hair and rose-colored shades, he was a Big Apple
icon, a reminder of the talent and energy and intellect that make New
York great.
The Mets should especially honor Joey because he is a symbol of
rebirth. New York was in financial ruins in the 1970s. The muggers
seemed
to outnumber the cops and the subway cars seemed to be held together
by grime and graffiti. But in lower Manhattan, Joey and the Ramones
were reclaiming rock 'n' roll and inspiring thousands of kids to pick
up guitars, publish fanzines, design their own clothes or just
simply do their own thing. And the Mets should honor Joey because like
the Mets in their best moments, the Ramones were just a bunch of guys
who came together to transcend their individual troubles and
limitations to touch millions of fans. (Updated: October 19,
2011)
- Joey Ramone's Birthday Bash, 60th birthday celebration was on May 19,
2011. Event was again at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, not at
Bowery Ballroom what was a second choice.
You can find three sets of photos I composed at the JFK Airport on May
20, 2011, day after event. Click here
to find information of photos.
Following are advance information before event:
We fans will have meeting (my idea) at place called Nevada Smiths,
starting around 4.30PM. Nevada Smiths is only three blocks away from
Irving Plaza. Address is: 74th Third Avenue (between 11th & 12th).
Every fan is welcome. Ramones' fan Andy Cintron tell it's a football
pub during the weekends but at night it's music and the main bartender
Johnny Holmes is a HUGE Ramones fan! Visit Nevada Smiths
homepage. I will have copies of my Ramones books
with me and also Hannu Jokinen of Woimasointu Records will bring copies
of solo singles by Ramones members and Dee Dee's Hop Around LP he has
released.
Joey Ramone Birthday Bash is a memory event to our angel, and this is
11th time it is organised. Tickets got sale in early March, you
can buy tickets here. Price through Live Nation is US$
35.25.
"Joey Ramone all stars" set include musicians Tommy Ramone, Richie
Ramone, Al Maddy, Andy Shernoff (The Dictators), Richie Stotts (The
Plasmatics), Ali McMordie (Stiff Little Fingers), Ed Stasium, Mickey
Leigh, Walt Stack (The Bullys), George Tabb and Tush & Snooky (Sick
F*cks) are confirmed to do perform at "Joey Ramone's Friends" set.
There were some schedule changes and because of it Andy Hilfiger and
Holly Beth Vincent won't do appearances as was planned.
Mickey wrote to me in May 9th, set will include four songs
from the upcoming 2nd Joey Ramone solo album.
Richard Lloyd will do his set. Mickey had negotiated also with
Hugh Cornwell best known for being the vocalist and guitarist for the
The Stranglers from 1974 to 1990. By 1977 The Stranglers had secured a
contract with the United Artists Records, they went on to become the
highest selling band to emerge from the UK punk scene, with numerous hit
singles and record album.
The Ramones played with The Stranglers at The Roundhouse, London, UK in
1977. Hugh has recorded many solos as well.
- Hugh Cornwell will be performing the classics that made that band
legendary. Joining Hugh on drums is Elvis Ramone also, well known as
Clem Burke of Blondie. On bass is Fish. Also will play Black 47, a
revered NYC band Joey went to see frequently, and had even
hoped to produce a record for, explains Mickey.
Also are announced to play bands The Rattlers (Mickey's), Sunday
Masquerade and The Indecent.
I do mention just in case, The Indecent is different band than The
Independents who has played many times before at the Joey Ramone
Birthday Bash (and whom members Evil and Willy B were Joey's really
close friends).
MC's: Steve Craig, Matt Pinfield and John Holmstrom.
I (Jari-Pekka) will celebrate my birthday 11th time at Joey's Birthday
Bash. Joey and I share same birthday (May 19). Read my previous
picture-story reports: here
is from 2010 and here
is from 2009. (Updated: May 21, 2011)
- April 15, 2011, we had memorial day for our Joey. Joey got a call
from heaven ten years ago. Joey died (at age 49) after losing a long
battle with lymphatic cancer. We love you Joey. Phil Spector wrote nice
memorial text
of Joey few weeks ago. Read on my Joey tribute section
also lot more of
Joey. (Updated: April 30, 2011)
- Mickey Leigh's (Joey Ramone's brother) and Legs McNeil's book I
Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir, is now translated and published
in Finnish. Title in Finnish is: Veljeni Joey Ramone. Kristiina Sarasti
of the Like Kustannus
was one of main organisators behind this project.
early February, 2011.
Publisher is Like Kustannus. Book is translated by Ilkka Salmenpohja.
Book has 450 pages and hard cover. Here I have written basic
information of I
Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir). I asked from Mickey Leigh
in January 6, 2011, if book will be translated also for other languages.
Mickey wrote:
- So far the only country it will be available in the near future is
Finland. I am still working on getting it published in other territories
- but nothing is happening that I can speak of yet. I'm trying really
hard to get my agent to focus on getting the book published in other
countries and languages. I really want everyone to be able to read it,
wrote Mickey for to me. (Updated: March 21, 2011.)
- December 22, 2010 was announced Ramones being among the recipients
named
of the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Awards. The Ramones
received Grammy Awards for lifetime achievement during an
invitation-only ceremony February 12, 2011, the night before the 53rd
annual Grammy Awards.
Only five Grammys were given out to the Ramones members: to Tommy
Ramone, Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone and Marky Ramone.
So CJ Ramone and Richie Ramone (and Clem Burke aka Elvis Ramone who
attended event )
were
not recipients of Grammys Awards, nor were they recognized by the Grammy
Industry. Grammy Industry gave awards to the early members of the band.
In Grammy Awards days, CJ Ramone had shows in Paraguay and Argentina:
February 10-12. Dee Dee's wife Barbara Zampini not attended event, not
sure why. Tommy Ramone thanked CJ and John Cafiero had a mention of
Barbara. That was great. Read more information and read speeches by
Ramones
members and their families here. (Updated: February 27,
2011).
- I composed more extensive section of Joey Ramone and Ronnie Spector.
Joey Ramone and Daniel Rey produced Ronnie Spector's She Talks To
Rainbows EP (1999). Joey as well sing and Daniel plays on it.
She Talks To Rainbows EP is something Joey had planned to do for a long
time. The EP features a duet with Joey and Ronnie singing the Ramones
song Bye Bye Baby. In a cover of Johnny Thunders' classic You Can't Put
Your Arms Around A Memory Joey contributes background vocals. You can
find it as well from Ronnie's album The Last Of The Rock Stars
(2006). This EP is one of my 10# records, of most important Ramones
related
records released. Listening Joey's and Ronnie's duet, get often tears
for me.
I composed more extensive Joey/Ronnie section also because I found some
differences from versions released by Kill Rock Stars. You
can find Joey/Ronnie section here. (February 5, 2011)
- September 15..., it is 10 years since we lost Johnny Ramone... Here
you can find my memorial page
for Johnny. RIP. In September 15, 2004, I was just leaving from Los
Angeles, USA, when Johnny died. There was Ramones 30th show at
The Avalon Theatre in Los
Angeles, CA, USA in September 12, 2004. Read
more of it here. Tommy Ramone, CJ Ramone, Marky Ramone, Daniel
Rey, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Dickies, Eddie Vedder, Rob Zombie, Tim
Armstrong, Brett Gurewitz etc. were playing.
Rob Zombie hosted the event and he did read Johnny Ramone's letter....:
"Hi this is Johnny Ramone. I asked my very good friend Rob Zombie to
read my message. First I like to thank all Ramones fans present here and
across the world, without them nothing would be possible. Ramones fans
are the best anyone could hope for.
I also want to thank all the bands and guests for being here, making
this a very special night. I have been blessed with having great friends
and a great life. I wish I could be there, but I can't. Have a great
time.
Johnny Ramone" RIP Johnny. (September 15, 2014)
- The tenth annual Johnny Ramone tribute event presented by his wife
Linda Cummings / Ramone is on August 24, 2014. It is 5PM-10.59PM.
This might be the final Johnny Ramone tribute. Event
is again at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, in a area where is Johnny
Ramone's memorial statue and the gravesite of Dee Dee Ramone. Yearly
there has been some film footage, celebrities having speeches etc.
etc. Tickets are 25-75 US$.
Now event is (again) hosted by Johnny's close friend Rob Zombie (White
Zombie etc.)
and there will be as well Johnny's friends like Steve Jones (Sex
Pistols) and Duff McKagan (Guns N'Roses, Velvet Revolver etc.).
Rob Zombie will be leading an all-star band including McKagan and Jones
through a selection of Ramones covers., performed live in the Masonic
Lodge (live video simulcast on the lawn).
From television/ movie people special guest is Fred Armisen who is best
known for his work as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 2002
until 2013. Fred Armisen has had several minor yet memorable roles in
comedy films such as Eurotrip, Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo, The Ex
and The Promotion.
The tenth annual Johnny Ramone tribute event has screening of The
Devil's Rejects movie, also is chance to see Kirk Hammett's Crypt
Collection of horror memorabilia on display in the Cathedral Mausoleum.
Everything happens in a area of Hollywood Forever cemetary. Proceeds
will benefit Johnny Ramone Foundation and Dr. David Agus at the
center for applied medicine, the Keck school of medicine, USC.
(Updated: July 30, 2014)
- The ninth annual Johnny Ramone tribute event was at Hollywood Forever
Cemetery on August 18, 2013. Event was in a area where is Johnny
Ramone's memorial statue and the gravesite of Dee Dee Ramone. You had
chance to make this in "picnic style", sit in a blanket, have something
to eat and drink while watching things that were shown. See
and read here story of event.
This year any of the Ramones members not attended event.
Event again celebrated Johnny's love of cult movies. This year
special guest host was John Waters who presented an outdoor screening
of the director's cut of his 1990 cult classic Cry-Baby. Cry-Baby was
projected on a 42-foot Mausoleum wall. Cry-Baby is written and directed
by John Waters and is starring for example Iggy Pop, Johnny Depp and
Traci Lords. In advance was told Traci Lords being a special guest on
this Johnny Ramone tribute event. Surprise guest was Johnny Depp.
Also there was from the cast of movie for example Joe Dallesandro.
Some of you might remember Traci Lords singing backing
vocals to the Ramones' cover of Somebody To Love, it was recorded to
Ramones' album Acid Eaters. Movies directed and/or written by Waters are
also for example Pink Flamingos (1972), Polyester (1981) and Hairspray
(1988). Waters and Lords did signing and q&a as well.
Movies directed and/or written by Waters are also for example Pink
Flamingos (1972), Polyester (1981) and Hairspray (1988). Waters and
Lords will do signign and q&a as well.
Also in this event on August 18, 2013 was shown vintage Ramones live
concert footage and music videos projected on a 42-foot Mausoleum wall.
As well was Ramones look-a-like contest.
Johnny Ramone's wife Linda Ramone and Johnny Ramone Army Chief Of Staff,
John Cafiero told in advance: "Come dressed as your favorite founding
member of The Ramones: Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee or Tommy - to win
prizes!"
Contest was judged by Linda and Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols.
Address of Hollywood Forever Cemetery is: 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. LA,
CA, USA.
Admission was 10 US$. Net proceeds benefit the Johnny Ramone
Research fund at USC Westside Prostate Cancer Center lead by Dr. David
Agus. Doors were open at 5:30 PM. (Updated: August 26,
2013)
- Kepi Ghoulie was singer-guitarist in Groovie Ghoulies in 1983-2007.
After that he is created solo career. All the art on every album cover
has
always been comic book influenced. Kepi has honored the Ramones for many
ways, also been support band to CJ Ramone in some shows etc.
August 1st, 2013, Kepi Ghoulie released new music video of I Just Wanted
You To Know song. It is directed by Andrew Hooper and it has parts
what are recorded at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in a area where
is Johnny Ramone's memorial statue and the gravesite of Dee Dee Ramone.
See
video here.
Also video is featuring great Rodney Bingenheimer, a man who is widely
respected especially by musicians. Rodney is considered to be one of the
most well known DJs in the world. His radio show Rodney On The
Roq in Los Angeles, USA on KROQ-FM has been a hit since it's
inception
in August 1976. The Ramones were on his very first show. You can read
7,5 pages long interview of Rodney and Maria Montoya-Kaye in
Ramones:
Soundtrack Of Our Lives and see also rare photos of them. (August 1,
2013)
- Commando:
The Autobiography Of Johnny Ramone is the first and only truly
autobiographical work written by the Ramones' founding member,
guitarist, Johnny Ramone. Book was released in
stores and online nationwide in the USA on April 2nd, 2012 from Abrams
Image.
E-book is available on Kindle, iPad, Nook, Kobo and Sony Reader. Rights
of the book have been pre-sold in four different languages throughout
Europe
and Brazil with more soon to be announced. And now in February, 2013,
Commando: The Autobiography Of Johnny Ramone got published in Brazil,
version
in Portuguese got published by Editora LeYa. Read more details of
Commando:
The Autobiography Of Johnny Ramone here. (Updated: April 17,
2013)
- Frankenweenie is a 2012 3D stop motion comedy-horror family
Disney film directed by Tim Burton with who Johnny Ramone became
friends. Frankenweenie is a remake of Burton's 1984 short
film of the same name and is a parody of and an homage to the 1931
film Frankenstein.
Soundtrack is titled Frankenweenie Unleashed and it is featuring a
cover version of the Ramones song Pet Sematary (written by Dee
Dee Ramone and Daniel Rey). Pet Sematary is performed by Plain
White T's.
You can see trailer kind of combined version of Frankenweenie
and Ramones promo video of Pet Sematary here. And Pet Sematary
video by the Plain
White T's is here. Also it has lot Frankenweenie parts and
is dedicated to the Ramones.
Plain White T's is an pop punk band from Chicago,
Illinois, USA, formed in 1997.
As I did mention, Frankenweenie is a Disney movie. Johnny's wife
Linda says following of Burton and Disney on Johnny's site:
"Johnny always said Disney was the happiest place on earth, and he
loved collecting Disney memorabilia. That's why we even have a
Disney themed bathroom in the house. He liked Tim (Burton), they
were friends, and Johnny loved animals. He would have been happy
the Ramones were included somehow." - Linda Ramone. (October 25,
2012).
- The 8th annual Johnny Ramone Tribute event was organised at the
Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where a statue in honour of Johnny was
unveiled by his wife Linda, on January 14, 2005. Dee Dee Ramone's grave
is in the same cemetery not far from Johnny's statue. I
collected information of 8th Johnny Ramone Tribute together,
read them here.
Information below was given before event, so it is better to read
information on link above.
The 8th annual Johnny Ramone Tribute is on August 19, 2012. Of the
surviving Ramones members you has chance to meet there founding member,
drummer and original manager Tommy Ramone. If buy copy of Johnny
Ramone's book
Commando:
The Autobiography Of Johnny Ramone at the event,
you can get it signed by Tommy Ramone, Johnny's wife Linda, John Cafiero
(editor of Johnny's book and Osaka Popstar singer), Steve Jones (Sex
Pistols), Henry Rollins (Black Flag, Rollins Band), Slim Jim Phantom
(Stray Cats), Rose McGowan (actor), Billy Zoom (band X), and PJ Soles
(Riff Randell of "Ramones movie" Rock And Roll High School).
Also special guests are Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley.
Priscilla was Elvis Presley's wife and Lisa Marie is their daughter. As
the sun sets, the event will feature an outdoor screening under the
stars showcasing one of Johnny's Top 10 favorite Elvis films, King
Creole, (a personal favorite of Presley's himself). King Creole
(1958,
116 minutes) is also starring Carolyn Jones and Walter Matthau. The
screening will include brief opening presentation featuring Lisa Marie
and a slideshow of rare photos from Johnny's personal archives of the
guitar legend with Lisa Marie. Lisa Marie also penned the Epilogue in
Commando: The Autobiography Of Johnny Ramone. The esteemed Priscilla
Presley will appear in-person to speak and share reflections on Johnny
Ramone, Lisa Marie, her iconic husband's legacy, and the lasting impact
he made on the world. This is even more poignant considering it's the
weeklong Graceland celebration of the 35th anniversary of Elvis' death.
The grounds of the event will include an on-site display of rare Elvis
memorabilia culled from Johnny's personal collection, as housed in the
Elvis Room of Ramone's Los Angeles home. Music to suit the occasion will
be spun throughout the cemetery grounds by DJ Howie Pyro (D-Generation,
Danzig, Intoxica Radio etc.).
Address of Hollywood Forever Cemetery is: 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. LA,
CA. Admission is 10 US$. Doors open at 5:30 PM and autograph signing is
at 6:30 PM. Net proceeds benefit the Johnny Ramone Research fund at USC
Westside Prostate Cancer Center lead by Dr. David Agus. Admission is
only $10, however donations in excess of the required admission are
welcomed and suggested (but not mandatory). Tickets can be purchased
online in advance
here. (Updated: August 14, 2012)
- Commando:
The Autobiography Of Johnny Ramone is the first and only truly
autobiographical work written by the Ramones' founding member,
guitarist, Johnny Ramone. Book will be released in
stores and online nationwide (USA) on April 2nd, 2012 from Abrams Image.
E-book will be available on Kindle, iPad, Nook, Kobo and Sony Reader.
Rights
of the book have been pre-sold in four different languages throughout
Europe
and Brazil with more soon to be announced.
Commando: The Autobiography Of Johnny Ramone includes a foreward written
by
sole surviving founding member, drummer, Tommy Ramone, and an epilogue
written
by Johnny's close friend (and daughter to the King), Lisa Marie
Presley.
Commando: The Autobiography Of Johnny Ramone is Johnny's story and the
story
of The Ramones told in his own words. Insightful and introspective, the
176-page, visually driven memoir walks through Johnny's days as a
founding
member of one of the world's most iconic bands and also chronicles his
personal life beyond the stage. Never afraid to speak his mind, it
includes
raw and unflinching opinions of the band as well as his fellow peers in
music
and even the struggle with cancer that ultimately took him. Grounded in
decades of his own meticulous records and notes, Johnny also shares his
personal assessment of The Ramones catalog, several of his brilliantly
eccentric Top Ten Lists, rare historical artifacts and scores of
personal and
professional photos, most of which have never been seen before. More
information here. Pre-order
book here (January 19, 2012)
- In Rolling Stone's latest Top 100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time
listing, is Johnny Ramone #28. They tells of Johnny: "The father of
punk-rock guitar and a huge influence on riff-driven modern metal,
Johnny Ramone is one of the instrument's great anti-heroes. John
Cummings made his name with an inexpensive Mosrite guitar, on which he
hammered out high-speed downstroked barre chords in a slashing,
minimalist style that appropriately became known as "buzzsaw."
A pure rhythm engine, Ramone almost never played a solo, but his
playing had
the headlong surge of an oncoming subway train. In an era when "heavy"
was synonymous with "slow," the primitive, metronomic swing of his riffs
on Blitzkrieg Bop and Judy Is A Punk and the trampoline-pop grind of
Rockaway Beach showed you could speed things up without losing an
ounce of power (somewhat surprisingly, his own guitar hero was Jimmy
Page). "Johnny was the first guitar player I ever saw play like he was
really mad," testified Henry Rollins. "And I was like, 'Damn. That's
cool.'"
Top 27 guitarists in Rolling Stone listing are:
1) Jimi Hendrix, 2), Eric Clapton, 3) Jimmy Page,
4) Keith Richards, 5) Jeff Beck, 6) B.B. King, 7) Chuck Berry, 8) Eddie
Van Halen, 9) Duane Allman and 10) Pete Townshend.
11) George Harrison, 12) Stevie Ray Vaughan,
13) Albert King, 14) David Gilmour, 15) Freddy King, 16) Derek Trucks,
17) Neil Young 18) Les Paul, 19) James Burton and 20) Carlos
Santana.
21) Chet Atkins, 22) Frank Zappa, 23) Buddy Guy, 24) Angus Young, 25)
Tony Iommi, 26) Brian May and Bo Diddley. (December 7,
2011)
- Also this year, 2011, was organised Johnny Ramone / Dee Dee Ramone /
Ramones
memorial event at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, CA, USA
on October
1st, 2011. This was 7th memorial event.
This outdoor event was presented by Johnny's wife Linda Ramone and
Johnny Ramone Army Chief Of
Staff John Cafiero. Tommy Ramone was only Ramones member who attended
event. So this was a great chance to meet
Tommy and also see from big
video screen Tommy playing with Johnny, Joey and Dee Dee on Don
Kirshner's Rock Concert (television show)
on August 9, 1977. Show was screened in it's entirety.
- The Johnny Tribute went well as usual. It was great to see the fans
again and we had a good time watching the
Don
Kirshner show, I have not seen it in it's entirety in decades -- it is
quite a good show!, wrote Tommy Ramone
to me.
Some were thinking Tommy was pushed to the side and in a highligh were
too much The
"Hollywood" movie stars in VIP area, and other special guests The Misfits and
Juicehead
who are artists of the Misfits Records.
The Misfits released first full-length album of all-new,
original material in nearly a decade (and the first since 1999 to
feature The Misfits
originals). The Devil's Rain debuted on Billboard's Top 200 at #70, and
Billboard's Top Independent Album
Charts #12. It is produced by Ed Stasium, with some help by John
Cafiero. Stasium has produced for example
Ramones albums Road To Ruin and Too Tough To Die, and Misfits album
Famous Monsters. RichieRamone.com & Ramones Forever were
collaborating
and you had chance to get free signed giveaways autographed by Richie in
this
event. Read here more
information, review written by
Joe and Deb Lunardon, and see photos taken by them. (Updated:
October 27, 2011).
- Read here tribute text for Johnny Ramone
written by Kevin Clement of Chiller Theatre. Chiller Theatre Toy,
Model And Film
Expo is famous event and Johnny attended it many times in 90's. (October
25,
2011)
- Here are some information related to Johnny Ramone's book. Few years
after Johnny Ramone had passed away (RIP, September 15, 2004), Henry
Rollins (ex member of the Black Flag, Rollins Band etc.) got the honour
to start working on Johnny Ramone's book and he was working with it
many years. But in September 2010, I got told new Ramones manager John
Cafiero is working with the book.
Now in July 2011, I got some
new information. Book is titled: Commando: The Autobiography Of Johnny
Ramone. Publisher is Abrams Image.
I has got conflicting information of release date. I has these details:
release date of the book is in the USA is January 4, 2012, or April 1,
2012. Release date in the UK and Europe is different: February 1,
2012.
Book has hardcover, 192 pages and trim size is 7 x 9. Included are 60
full-color
and black-and-white illustrations.
Johnny's wife Linda tells a lot of the background
of that story in my book Ramones:
Soundtrack Of Our Lives.
Like you can read these infos from it (I did interview in 2007): "I now
have Henry Rollins finishing up Johnny's book for
me. He's been working on it now since the first writer didn't work out.
Henry is
a true punk and he is a true Ramones fan. He came over the house and I
knew immediately he was the type of person who really loved it all.
When I asked if he could finish the book he said: "Yeah." What we're
doing is taking everyone else out the book and just having Johnny talk.
It's stripped down. I just want a punk book that's it.
I have Johnny's black books from 1979-1996. When questions come up that
I can't answer I go to the books. He has everything written down! Every
show, every attendance, and what they got paid."
Read more from Ramones:
Soundtrack Of Our Lives.
So this interview I had with Linda in 2007. And as I said, now new
Ramones
manager John Cafiero is working with Johnny Ramone's book. To the
book they has
gone through all interviews Johnny did, so it is still going to be
all Johnny's words etc. (Updated: July 3, 2011)
- Johnny Ramone and Dee Dee Ramone have been rendered as vinyl figures -
joining the ranks of Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne,
and more, in Funko's
new POP! Rocks series.
Available worldwide June 2011 both of these stylized 3.75-inch tall
vinyl figures come decked in traditional Ramones leather jackets, and
armed with guitar and bass respectively. Figures are detailed right down
to Johnny's infamous frown, Dee Dee's enigmatic glare, and the
matching shoulder chains that bookended them on stage while changing the
face of rock N'roll.
Both figures are now in production and shipping to stores by or before
June 15, 2011. Pre-orders are now being accepted in the JRA online store
JRA Online
store. (February 28, 2011)
- December 22, 2010 was announced Ramones being among the recipients
named
of the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Awards. The Ramones
received Grammy Awards for lifetime achievement during an
invitation-only ceremony February 12, 2011, the night before the 53rd
annual Grammy Awards.
Only five Grammys were given out to the Ramones members: to Tommy
Ramone, Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone and Marky Ramone.
So CJ Ramone and Richie Ramone (and Clem Burke aka Elvis Ramone who
attended event )
were
not recipients of Grammys Awards, nor were they recognized by the Grammy
Industry. Grammy Industry gave awards to the early members of the band.
In Grammy Awards days, CJ Ramone had shows in Paraguay and Argentina:
February 10-12. Dee Dee's wife Barbara Zampini not attended event, not
sure why. Tommy Ramone thanked CJ and John Cafiero had a mention of
Barbara. That was great. Read more information and read speeches by
Ramones
members and their families here. (Updated: February 27,
2011).
- There was an article in Swedish newspaper (Dagens Nyheter, February
3, 2011) of author Bengt Ohlsson writing a fictional novel book about
Johnny Ramone. Title is Commando, and of course it refers to the Ramones
song.
Swedish Ramones fan Marten Ramone translated article for me and on it
Bengt comments how he got idea of a novel after looking a documentary.
48
years old man played Ramones covers with his old band in late 80's.
Commando is coming out in fall 2011. It is in Swedish. Publisher is
Albert
Bonniers.
Interviewer Cecilia Jacobsson (Dagens Nyheter) explains about Bengt:
There are abrupt shifts between the person who attracts Bengt Ohlsson's
interest. His last three books: Kolka, Syster and Hennes Mjukaste
Röst, have female protagonists, very different and from different
countries. His Gregorius book won Augustpriset in 2004. Gregorius is
about famous Swedish writer Hjalmar Söderberg. (February 3,
2011)
- I got a message from Theo who work at Artsy. He is
doing with his friends Shepard Fairey page to Artsy, visit it here.
Theo wrote: "We strive to
make all of the world's art accessible to anyone online. Our Shepard
Fairey page, for example, provides visitors with Fairey's bio, over
250 of his works, exclusive articles, as well as up-to-date Fairey
exhibition listings. You might also enjoy checking out our editorial
examining Fairey's recent Detroit exhibition."
I do mention few Ramones related facts of Shepard who became fan of the
Ramones in 1984. Years ago he designed Johnny Ramone Army Logo and
posters of Johnny and Dee Dee Ramone. In 2012 Dee Dee
Ramone:
A Memorial Exhibition was on display in a show at Subliminal Projects
gallery in Echo Park, Los Angeles, USA. Dee Dee received that a
posthumous gallery exhibition of his artwork thanks to
Shepard Fairey. The exhibition was organized with Dee Dee's estate,
which lended the art. Read more
of it here. (September 22, 2015)
- Los Angeles-based (USA) independent record label Cleopatra Records
did release in June 20, 2015, Dee Dee Ramone's three track 12' maxi
single. It is titled The Final Sessions and has songs Negative Creep,
Jump In the Fire and Spirit In The Wind (1989 demo).
Cleopatra Records has earlier released two tribute CD's which Dee Dee
recorded on. Dee Dee covered the Nirvana cover song Negative Creep for
Smells Like Bleach: A Punk Tribute To Nirvana (2000) and for A Punk
Tribute To Metallica, Dee Dee covered the Metallica song Jump In The
Fire (2001). I has no more information of Spirit In The Wind song now.
But I do believe it really will be published now for the first time and
it is recorded in 1989. (Updated: July 18, 2015)
- Fender has touched and transformed music worldwide since 1946. Music
people knows well Fender's brands such as the Telecaster, Stratocaster
and Precision Bass. Now in 2015, Fender introduced Dee Dee Ramone's
signature Fender Precision Bass. It is limited edition. Fender writes:
"As the pounding heart of the Ramones, Dee Dee Ramone pioneered a
no-frills sound and style that left a permanent mark on rock music. On a
white Fender Precision Bass slung impossibly low, he defined punk bass
with simple but breakneck bass lines delivered with such pulverizing
sound, speed and conviction that he singlehandedly set the template for
generations of punk bassists to come. The Dee Dee Ramone Precision Bass
honors him with reverence and authenticity, just like any bassist since
who's ever planted his feet in a wide stance, slung a Precision below
the beltline and yelled a manic "1-2-3-4. count-off."
"The official Dee Dee Ramone Fender Precision Bass features the classic
Fender body, vintage style bridge, maple neck with "C" profile and the
vintage-style frets used by Dee Dee when making history and changing the
face of rock 'n' roll. The incredible limited edition bass also features
Dee Dee's facsimile signature on the headstock, a custom engraved Dee
Dee Ramone/ Fender logo neck plate, plus an exclusive scrapbook, fold
out poster and sticker too."
Some other details: Body: material: alder and finish: gloss
polyester.
Neck: material: maple, finish: gloss polyester, scale length: 34" (864
mm), fingerboard: 9.5.-radius (241 mm) and number of frets: 20
vintage-style frets. More
details here. (June 7, 2015)
- The Hotel Chelsea Storefront Gallery has in New York Dee Dee Ramone
exhibition on December 10, 2014 - January 1, 2015. There are for example
paintings created by Dee Dee Ramone, lot of photos (for example Jenny
Lens', Keith Green's and Bob Gruen's photos of Dee Dee), posters and
T-shirts. There is
also merchandise desk and you has chance to buy candles, books, stickers
etc. of Dee Dee. The
exhibition is
produced and curated by John Cafiero who still manages Dee Dee's estate
(not anymore manager of the Ramones' and Johnny Ramone's estate).
I think exhibition is same or pretty much same than what was in
West-Coast (USA).
Address of The Hotel Chelsea Storefront Gallery is 222 West 23rd Street,
New York, USA. It is open daily from 1PM to 8PM (December 14,
2014)
- New Los Gattos album Duct Tape & Super Glue is out. It's available
download only on BANDCAMP.COM: here
you can buy it. Minimum is only 7 US$. You can find front page of
Los Gattos on Bandcamp
here. Duct Tape & Super Glue include original version of Downhill,
which Dee Dee Ramone and Los Gattos co-wrote, Downhill was recorded in
memory and in honor of Dee Dee. Los Gattos were Dee Dee's support act
for some of his West Coast (USA) dates in 2000-01 and Duct Tape & Super
Glue has a live version of Dust My Broom featuring Dee Dee Ramone on
guitar. Paul Kostabi
who was one of Dee Dee's closest friends recorded a few tracks, played
on a few tracks also Mic Solis (RIP) and Tony Mann. Paul Kostabi did the
albums artwork. So you can buy album
here. (January 25, 2014)
- Here in Finland got made Ramopunk / Dee Dee Ramone calendar/ almanac
for year 2014 by Ramopunk Ry society. It
is 24 centimeters high (9,5 inch) and 21 centimeters wide (8,3 inch).
Calendar has four color pages and drawings/ paintings are of Dee Dee
Ramone. Drawings/ paintings are created by Manuel Cossun of The Manges.
Design is by The Andersson's Tee Dee Andersson. Calendar is printed
in real printing house and is quality product.
Prize of calendar is 12 euros + postage. Ask more details from Minna
Wallenius: ramopunk.ry@gmail.com (November 24, 2013)
- There are no many Ramones songs which are released with alternative
lyrics and title. I throught to mention of Main Man. As many of you
knows Main Man is song in Ramones' album Mondo Bizarro (1992) and CJ Ramone makes
lead vocals on it.
I has bootleg LP of Dee Dee Ramone's early solo show, with his
short-term band The
Spikey Tops at New Rochelle, NY, USA on November 25, 1989. Main Man is
titled I'm An Apeman on it and Dee Dee also sing it with lyrics I'm An
Apeman. Song is written by Dee Dee Ramone and Daniel Rey. As is one of
greatest Ramones songs Poison Heart which Dee Dee also rocked already at
live in that show on November 25, 1989. (November 24,
2013)
- The ninth annual Johnny Ramone tribute event was at Hollywood Forever
Cemetery on August 18, 2013. Event was in a area where is Johnny
Ramone's memorial statue and the gravesite of Dee Dee Ramone. You had
chance to make this in "picnic style", sit in a blanket, have something
to eat and drink while watching things that were shown. See
and read here story of event.
This year any of the Ramones members not attended event.
Event again celebrated Johnny's love of cult movies. This year
special guest host was John Waters who presented an outdoor screening
of the director's cut of his 1990 cult classic Cry-Baby. Cry-Baby was
projected on a 42-foot Mausoleum wall. Cry-Baby is written and directed
by John Waters and is starring for example Iggy Pop, Johnny Depp and
Traci Lords. In advance was told Traci Lords being a special guest on
this Johnny Ramone tribute event. Surprise guest was Johnny Depp.
Also there was from the cast of movie for example Joe Dallesandro.
Some of you might remember Traci Lords singing backing
vocals to the Ramones' cover of Somebody To Love, it was recorded to
Ramones' album Acid Eaters. Movies directed and/or written by Waters are
also for example Pink Flamingos (1972), Polyester (1981) and Hairspray
(1988). Waters and Lords did signing and q&a as well.
Movies directed and/or written by Waters are also for example Pink
Flamingos (1972), Polyester (1981) and Hairspray (1988). Waters and
Lords will do signign and q&a as well.
Also in this event on August 18, 2013 was shown vintage Ramones live
concert footage and music videos projected on a 42-foot Mausoleum wall.
As well was Ramones look-a-like contest.
Johnny Ramone's wife Linda Ramone and Johnny Ramone Army Chief Of Staff,
John Cafiero told in advance: "Come dressed as your favorite founding
member of The Ramones: Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee or Tommy - to win
prizes!"
Contest was judged by Linda and Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols.
Address of Hollywood Forever Cemetery is: 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. LA,
CA, USA.
Admission was 10 US$. Net proceeds benefit the Johnny Ramone
Research fund at USC Westside Prostate Cancer Center lead by Dr. David
Agus. Doors were open at 5:30 PM. (Updated: August 26,
2013)
- Brent "Aldo" Alden of False Alarm etc. has compiled and created with
Adam Wilson, Atom Kaos, Alfred Estrada, Mike Rangel and JP Proper etc.
compilation CD's titled Chaotic Reasoning Vol. 1-2 and Vol. 3 is coming
out soon. Chaotic Reasoning 1 include song titled Downhill, which Dee
Dee Ramone and Los Gattos co-wrote. Downhill was recorded in memory and
in honor of Dee Dee. Los
Gattos was Dee Dee's support act for some of his West Coast (USA) dates
in 2000-01. Los Gattos album was released by Art Monkey Records on
January 13, 2007 and it include Downhill.
So, also Chaotic Reasoning 1 has Downhill and as well False Alarm's
songs featuring Cheetah Chrome and Fat Mike, and songs by Youth Gone
Mad, Kill Allen Wrench, Symbol Six and Liquor Locos. Order Vol. 1
and Vol. 2. from Brent by contacting him through his Facebook
page.
Vol. 3. CD will has 31 songs and label is Kaos Records. Brent "Aldo"
Alden told in August, 2013, that Vol. 3 is still not ready.
Compilation will include Youth Gone Mad Feat. Dee Dee Ramone song False
Alarm and Furious George Feat. Joey Ramone song Gilligan. Also for
example
these songs: False Alarm Feat. Cheetah Chrome: Youth Gone Mad, False
Alarm Feat. Fat Mike: Self Destruction, Los Gattos: Movin' On, Shattered
Faith: Strange Daze and The Charles Dukowski Sextet: Sweet Chariot.
(Updated: August 14, 2013)
- Kepi Ghoulie was singer-guitarist in Groovie Ghoulies in 1983-2007.
After that he is created solo career. All the art on every album cover
has
always been comic book influenced. Kepi has honored the Ramones for many
ways, also been support band to CJ Ramone in some shows etc.
August 1st, 2013, Kepi Ghoulie released new music video of I Just Wanted
You To Know song. It is directed by Andrew Hooper and it has parts
what are recorded at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in a area where
is Johnny Ramone's memorial statue and the gravesite of Dee Dee Ramone.
See
video here.
Also video is featuring great Rodney Bingenheimer, a man who is widely
respected especially by musicians. Rodney is considered to be one of the
most well known DJs in the world. His radio show Rodney On The
Roq in Los Angeles, USA on KROQ-FM has been a hit since it's
inception
in August 1976. The Ramones were on his very first show. You can read
7,5 pages long interview of Rodney and Maria Montoya-Kaye in
Ramones:
Soundtrack Of Our Lives and see also rare photos of them. (August 1,
2013)
- Dee Dee Ramone: A Memorial Exhibition was on display in a show at
Subliminal Projects
gallery in Echo Park, Los Angeles, USA. Dee Dee received this a
posthumous gallery exhibition of his artwork thanks to street artist
Shepard Fairey. The exhibition was organized with Dee Dee's estate,
which lended the art. Exhibition was from October 26 through November
17, 2012.
SEE AND READ MORE extensive information
of
this exhibition with a photos of paintings etc. here.
Dee Dee's wife Barbara Ramone (Zampini) said she hadn't seen these
paintings for like 10 years. Paintings were in Germany. She had to
refer to Rampe3 event. Ramones' manager John Cafiero said these
paingtings were exhibited
first time in America.
Erica Overskei, gallery manager at Subliminal
Projects, said the show was
comprised of 19 canvases, five paintings on wood, and one mixed media on
card stock. Some of the works were made in collaboration between Ramone
and artist-musician Paul Kostabi, and with Barbara. Most of the
art was created by just Dee Dee. None of the
canvases were available for sale.
Gallery was originally created by Shepard Fairey and Blaze Blouin as an
artist collective in 1995. Address: Subliminal Projects, 1331 W.
Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026, USA. Phone: (213)213-0078
Opening times: Wednesday - Saturday: 12pm - 6pm.
You can read really extensive interview with Paul Kostabi and Heidi
Follin of Dee Dee's
arts from Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone. Buy book from
Interpunk.
See in right photo of Shepard Fairey and Brent Alden.
About Shepard
Fairey, his work became more widely known in the 2008 U.S.
presidential election, specifically his Barack Obama "Hope" poster
(red white and blue poster).
Brent Alden is the bass player of L.A. punk band False Alarm. Dee Dee
Ramone and Paul Kostabi painted cover of False Alarm's second album Fuck
'Em We'Ve All Ready (Now) Won! It got published in 2006 and re-issued
in 2009 together with Youth Gone Mad album recorded in 2002, songs
include Dee Dee Ramone. These are final recordings Dee Dee ever did. As
Paul Kostabi said to me in Rock
In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone book
interview, Dee Dee didn't get to hear the finished product what was
released six months after Dee Dee became an angel...
Read more
of it here.
(Updated: February 26, 2013)
- I want to tell information also of artists who are played in line-up's
of
Ramones members.
When I was in a road in Dee Dee Ramone tour in Europe in
2000, on bass was still Dee Dee's wife Barbara, but in 2001
in a tour instead of Barbara was as a guitarist Christian
Martucci. Dee Dee played guitar in 2000 and bass in 2001.
Dee Dee told me that it would have been too hard for Barbara
to be on tour.
Drummer was all the time Chase Manhattan, you can read a lot of
those times on
my books and of 2000 tour also
here.
Chase plays at the moment in
Behold! The
Monolith.
Later Christian wrote me and told he having band called Black President
after The Chelsea Smiles.
He also played with Corey Taylor of Slipknot etc. Now in early 2013, got
published Christian Martucci's solo EP titled Man Without A Name,
buy
it from here.
Christian is a founding member of Thousand Watt Stare as well, see
their
new Messenger video here and buy TWS's
debut
EP here.
(February 1, 2013)
- Dee Dee Ramone's book/novel: Chelsea Horror Hotel was released in
English on May 10th, 2001. Late 2011 book got published in Czech.
Publisher of Chelsea Horror Hotel version in Czech is Mata
Publishing. Title in Czech is Chelsea Hotel Hruzy. More
details.
Mata Publishing is published earlier of Dee Dee's books Poison Heart -
Surviving The Ramones. Title in Czech is Poison Heart:
Prezil Jsem Ramones. (February 17, 2012)
- Also this year, 2011, was organised Johnny Ramone / Dee Dee Ramone /
Ramones
memorial event at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, CA, USA
on October
1st, 2011. This was 7th memorial event.
This outdoor event was presented by Johnny's wife Linda Ramone and
Johnny Ramone Army Chief Of
Staff John Cafiero. Tommy Ramone was only Ramones member who attended
event. So this was a great chance to meet
Tommy and also see from big video screen Tommy playing with Johnny, Joey
and Dee Dee on Don Kirshner's Rock
Concert (television show)
on August 9, 1977. Show was screened in it's entirety.
- The Johnny Tribute went well as usual. It was great to see the fans
again and we had a good time watching the
Don
Kirshner show, I have not seen it in it's entirety in decades -- it is
quite a good show!, wrote Tommy Ramone
to me. Read here more
information, review written by
Joe and Deb Lunardon, and see photos taken by them. (Updated:
October 27, 2011).
- In October 2011, Dee Dee Ramone's ex-wife Vera informed me latest news
of her book Poisoned Heart:
I Married Dee Dee Ramone (The Ramones Years).
- My book is also on Kindle, Nook, I think I-Pad and will soon be
available for download in Italian and Spanish, I'm told, wrote Vera to
me in
October 27, 2011.
Buy Kindle version of
Poisoned
Heart: I Married Dee Dee Ramone (The Ramones Years) here (you can
choose there hardcover or Kindle edition).
(October 27, 2011)
- The Tank Girl Skidmarks series, written by Alan Martin and illustrated
by Rufus Dayglo, first appeared in the Judge Dredd Megazine in September
2008. It ran in 12 episodes in the monthly British comic magazine over
the course of a year. In 2009 it was collected into a 4 issue comic book
mini-series in the US by Titan Books, (3 episodes per issue), and most
recently the Tank Girl: Skidmarks Trade Paper Back collection.
As a young kid Rufus Dayglo met Dee Dee Ramone in the UK in 90's. And
Dee Dee is
included now in The Tank Girl Skidmarks series, paperback book. Idea is
buy Dayglo:
"It was a story about a Cannonball run type race. and I thought Dee Dee
in a VW would be a perfect over the top character. Dee Dee pretty much
wrote himself as a character. He's an archetype. THE punk boy, a big
heart, a cheeky grin and mischievous as f*ck! You'd want him on your
team every time! What else could he be driving in this race but a rocket
propelled VW with a pickelhaube on top? (with the racing number
"1,2,3,4" of course!). We asked for permission to include Dee Dee in the
book, and soon after, it was granted!, says Rufus Dayglo.
Dee Dee for example appears skating the pool.
Official press release also explains how did the idea to interpret Dee
Dee as a skater in the storyline come to be? Dayglo cites Dee Dee's
cover version of the 1964 song Sidewalk Surfin.:
"It all seemed to fall into place! I could imagine him trading a
skateboard for a switchblade knife!!"
"Apart from seeing him onstage of course, I first met Dee Dee in the
street near Notting Hill, in London. He asked me for my leather jacket,
(it had Gabba Gabba Hey and a skull stitched across the back), I said
no, and offered to buy him a pint instead! At the pub, he tried on my
jacket, and when I took it off, he saw my tattoos and freaked out, (they
are of comic book characters, in panels). We sat and talked tattoos,
comics, knives, UFOs, and bollox... He was very funny, and liked to
tease - kinda like a kid! I drew him a picture of him being sucked up
into a UFO, and he drew me a picture of a sausage dog, (he said he used
to graffiti it around NYC), and he wrote "Hey, it's Dougie" over
it."
"When we were about to start work on TANK GIRL - SKIDMARKS all I knew
was
it was going to be a race story. like Wacky Racers meets Cannonball Run
head on with more collateral damage. When I suggested it to Alan, the
writer for Tank Girl, he was excited, and found it funny! He's a massive
Ramones fan too. We were both really into the idea - of both doing a
tribute, and making our favourite Ramone a comic book character.
"I thought it'd be fitting... He was just a comic book boy after all,
and we
both loved UFOs and war comics. I'd also been lucky enough to sing
Blitzkrieg Bop and Born To Lose on stage at the Garage venue in
London with Dee Dee and his wife Barbara's band years ago, so this was
my belated thank you to them too! I had on my Gabba Gabba Hey jacket
and Dee Dee recognized me. I was right up the front, and he pulled me
onto the stage. It was a childhood dream come true - yelling
1,2,3,4!!! (Updated: September 25, 2011)
- Johnny Ramone and Dee Dee Ramone have been rendered as vinyl figures -
joining the ranks of Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne,
and more, in Funko's
new POP! Rocks series.
Available worldwide June 2011 both of these stylized 3.75-inch tall
vinyl figures come decked in traditional Ramones leather jackets, and
armed with guitar and bass respectively. Figures are detailed right down
to Johnny's infamous frown, Dee Dee's enigmatic glare, and the
matching shoulder chains that bookended them on stage while changing the
face of rock N'roll.
Both figures are now in production and shipping to stores by or before
June 15, 2011. Pre-orders are now being accepted in the JRA online store
JRA Online
store. (February 28, 2011)
- December 22, 2010 was announced Ramones being among the recipients
named
of the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Awards. The Ramones
received Grammy Awards for lifetime achievement during an
invitation-only ceremony February 12, 2011, the night before the 53rd
annual Grammy Awards.
Only five Grammys were given out to the Ramones members: to Tommy
Ramone, Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone and Marky Ramone.
So CJ Ramone and Richie Ramone (and Clem Burke aka Elvis Ramone who
attended event )
were
not recipients of Grammys Awards, nor were they recognized by the Grammy
Industry. Grammy Industry gave awards to the early members of the band.
In Grammy Awards days, CJ Ramone had shows in Paraguay and Argentina:
February 10-12. Dee Dee's wife Barbara Zampini not attended event, not
sure why. Tommy Ramone thanked CJ and John Cafiero had a mention of
Barbara. That was great. Read more information and read speeches by
Ramones
members and their families here. (Updated: February 27,
2011).
- Jason Ringenberg is lead singer of Jason & the Scorchers. He started
playing in alternative rock, rock, and country-bands in 1980. He wrote
of Tommy Ramone playing on his album. Ringenberg created children's
music character Farmer Jason in 2002. Tommy Ramone and Hank Williams III
plays on song titled Manatee in album Nature Jams (2012).
Jason Ringenberg commented this way.
- Tommy Ramone passed away of cancer. I am saddened to hear
this. He played mandolin on my last Farmer Jason release Nature Jams,
and did a bang up job. I knew him and ran into him a lot when he was
doing his bluegrass gig. He was a legend and a gentleman, wrote Jason
Ringenberg. (October 9, 2014)
- Event titled CBGB Festival Presents: A 40th Remembrance & Salute To
Tommy Ramone is at The Bowery Electric, 327 Bowery, New York, USA, at
7.30PM on August 16, 2014. It is honoring Tommy Ramone and in honor of
the Ramones playing at CBGB for the first time 40 years.
There will be special guests speaking in August 16, 2014. Event
is promoted pretty badly. Few days before event to Ramones' tour
manager Monte A. Melnick wasn't sent information who other will be
speaking and/or performing. He asked details to me.
- I just heard from Louise Parnassa Staley from CBGB's, here is what
she told me. Along with me so far Michael Alago, Danny
Fields, Bob Gruen and Seymour Stein with music by Martinets and DJ
by Sandy Lieb. They are all reading or saying a few words, wrote
Monte A. Melnick.
Spencer Drate and Jimmy Gestapo (as a DJ) had to cancel their coming.
One member in The Martinets is Daniel Rey who produced for example
Ramones' album Adios Amigos, he recorded material with Joey Ramone to
both of Joey's solo albums and who produced Dee Dee's Zonked album and
wrote many songs together with Dee Dee to some of the Ramones
albums.
So this event is also in honor of the Ramones playing at CBGB for the
first time 40 years. CBGB is one of most legendary clubs ever, founded
by Hilly Kristal. New York club was opened in 1973 and got closed in
2006. It was in Bowery, 150 meters away from Arturo Vega's
(Ramones' creative director) house where
Joey Ramone and Dee Dee Ramone also lived in early 70's. The Ramones
played really lot of their early gigs at CBGB's. CBGB was kind of
birthplace of punk. So this event now in August 16 is at The Bowery
Electric what is only 100 meters away from place where CBGB was. My
interview with Hilly Kristal you can find from my first book Heaven Needed A
Lead Singer: Fans Remember Joey Ramone.
Here you can find my memorial
page for Tommy Ramone. (Updated: August 16, 2014)
- In July 12, 2014, at 2AM (New York time) I (Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone)
personally got confirmation from one of Ramones' managers, Dave Frey,
that we really
lost last founding member of the Ramones, dear Tommy Ramone passed away
in July 11, 2014. There were confusing hoax information first and
because of that I wanted to get confirmation from inner circle.
Tommy died because of bile duct cancer, which is also
called cholangiocarcinoma. Bile duct cancer is rare.
Now all four founding members are angels. Singer Joey Ramone passed
away in 2001, bassist Dee Dee Ramone in 2002 and guitarist Johnny Ramone
in 2004. Surviving Ramones members are bassist CJ Ramone (1989-1996) and
drummers Richie Ramone (1983-1987) and Marky Ramone (1978-1983,
1987-1996).
Tommy was born in Budapest, Hungary in January 29, 1949 (not in 1952 as
Wikipedia says). Tommy (Tamas/ Thomas Erdelyi, he referred Thomas) was
drummer in the Ramones from 1974 to 1978. I was afraid when this
happens... I became pretty good friends with Tommy Ramone and I was one
of those he trusted. First time he told me in 2013 his health has got
worse. Last E-mail Tommy personally sent me was in May, 2014 and then
health situation wasn't good. There were not too many of us he had told
he was ill and luckily we who knew respected his privacy, expect in
June, 2014 Marky Ramone told in radio interview Tommy not feeling well.
I heard that interview on-line and I informed Tommy what Marky had
said. It was sad move from Marky.
I am compiled kind of
memorial page to my friend Tommy Ramone here. You can find there
also some quotes of interviews I did with Tommy. There are just few
quotes. RIP. (July 12, 2014)
- Tommy Ramone is last surviving original Ramones founding member.
Tommy and I are keeping touch regularly. I asked from Tommy
what is situation of second Uncle Monk album. Already in late 2012 Tommy
E-mailed me they are finishing up the next record. I asked about
situation in February 2014: "There is no news on the music right now,
the new record is finished but needs to be mastered, I will hopefully
get around to doing that soon.", Tommy E-mailed in February, 2014.
Uncle Monk debut CD was released on March 16, 2006. More infos
of Uncle Monk here. (Updated: February 18, 2012)
- A movie called CBGB was being made for many years. It was released
during the CBGB Musical Festival, which run from October 9-13, 2013, in
New York. CBGB got to theater screen in the USA on October 11, 2013.
Movie is 101 minutes long. XLrator
Media has acquired U.S. rights to distribute CBGB.
Ramones' founding member Tommy Ramone was announced to be at the venue
called Subculture during CBGB Festival on October 11, 2013.
Subculture's address is 45 Bleecker Street, Downstairs New York, NY
10012, USA, so it is in East Village. I was confused about information
as Tommy Ramone didn't attend event. I asked about that from Tommy in
late October.
- I don't know why the CBGB festival was using my name when I let them
know early that I was not available. Sorry if their promotions caused
confusion, Tommy Ramone wrote for me in November 1, 2013.
DVD and Blu-ray versions of CBGB will be published on
December 31,
2013: CBGB
[Blu-ray]
and
CBGB
[DVD] . (November 4, 2013)
- Tommy Ramone has concentrated to do Uncle Monk shows in last few
years. Tommy Ramone wrote to me in November and December of his other
plans:
- I started doing some solo shows playing guitar. The shows
have gone well. I did an acoustic show with Glen Matlock of the Sex
Pistols two weeks ago at the Cutting Room here in NY, we each did a solo
set and got a good response from the audience. I played some Ramones
songs along with my originals. They included I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend,
Blitzkrieg Bop and Suzy Is A Headbanger. Others I would like to leave
as a surprise for people who come to see the shows, Tommy Ramone
wrote.
Tommy was going to do a tour with Glen Matlock in Canada and USA in
March 15 - April 7, 2013. Both were going to play individual sets. BUT,
Tommy Ramone E-mailed me in March 4, 2013.
- I want to let you know that I am not doing the tour with Glen Matlock
this month due to unforeseen circumstances. I will update you on any
future tours, Tommy E-mailed. (Updated: March 4, 2013)
- September 25, 2012, was published pretty cool video of New York City
song.
Song is from Joey Ramone's second solo album titled ...Ya
Know?. Video is
featuring Tommy Ramone, many fans, Bob Gruen, Andy Shernoff, Ed
Stasium, Mickey Leigh...
Director is Greg Jardin, Producer is Jessica
Roulston, Art Director is Nash Dunnigan, Character Animator is Jessica
Polaniecki and Executive Producer is Jennifer Heath. Click to see video
in right... (September 25, 2012)
- The 8th annual Johnny Ramone Tribute event was organised at the
Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where a statue in honour of Johnny was
unveiled by his wife Linda, on January 14, 2005. Dee Dee Ramone's grave
is in the same cemetery not far from Johnny's statue. I
collected information of 8th Johnny Ramone Tribute together,
read them here.
Information below was given before event, so it is better to read
information on link above.
The 8th annual Johnny Ramone Tribute is on August 19, 2012. Of the
surviving Ramones members you has chance to meet there founding member,
drummer and original manager Tommy Ramone. If buy copy of Johnny
Ramone's book
Commando:
The Autobiography Of Johnny Ramone at the event,
you can get it signed by Tommy Ramone, Johnny's wife Linda, John Cafiero
(editor of Johnny's book and Osaka Popstar singer), Steve Jones (Sex
Pistols), Henry Rollins (Black Flag, Rollins Band), Slim Jim Phantom
(Stray Cats), Rose McGowan (actor), Billy Zoom (band X), and PJ Soles
(Riff Randell of "Ramones movie" Rock And Roll High School).
Also special guests are Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley.
Priscilla was Elvis Presley's wife and Lisa Marie is their daughter. As
the sun sets, the event will feature an outdoor screening under the
stars showcasing one of Johnny's Top 10 favorite Elvis films, King
Creole, (a personal favorite of Presley's himself). King Creole
(1958,
116 minutes) is also starring Carolyn Jones and Walter Matthau. The
screening will include brief opening presentation featuring Lisa Marie
and a slideshow of rare photos from Johnny's personal archives of the
guitar legend with Lisa Marie. Lisa Marie also penned the Epilogue in
Commando: The Autobiography Of Johnny Ramone. The esteemed Priscilla
Presley will appear in-person to speak and share reflections on Johnny
Ramone, Lisa Marie, her iconic husband's legacy, and the lasting impact
he made on the world. This is even more poignant considering it's the
weeklong Graceland celebration of the 35th anniversary of Elvis' death.
The grounds of the event will include an on-site display of rare Elvis
memorabilia culled from Johnny's personal collection, as housed in the
Elvis Room of Ramone's Los Angeles home. Music to suit the occasion will
be spun throughout the cemetery grounds by DJ Howie Pyro (D-Generation,
Danzig, Intoxica Radio etc.).
Address of Hollywood Forever Cemetery is: 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. LA,
CA. Admission is 10 US$. Doors open at 5:30 PM and autograph signing is
at 6:30 PM. Net proceeds benefit the Johnny Ramone Research fund at USC
Westside Prostate Cancer Center lead by Dr. David Agus. Admission is
only $10, however donations in excess of the required admission are
welcomed and suggested (but not mandatory). Tickets can be purchased
online in advance
here. (Updated: August 14, 2012)
- Joey Ramone Birthday Bash in 2012 is again at Joey's birthday May 19,
2012 (and mine birthday). Event will celebrate the May 22nd, 2012,
release of Joey Ramone's 2nd full length album, ...Ya
Know?
Entire album will be played at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash at
live. Joey's brother Mickey Leigh and Tommy Ramone confirmed me both
that Tommy will perform at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash on May 19,
2012.
Here are other confirmed artists who will be performing songs from
Joey's upcoming album: Mickey Leigh, Ed Stasium, Richie Stotts, Ross
the Boss, Thunderbolt Patterson, Jean Beauvoir, Al Maddy, Bebe Buell,
Joey Lanz, Walt Stack, Yoav, Alex Holyboy, Tish & Snooky, Tina Ingrid,
Louisa Bradshaw, Amy Hartman...
Richie Ramone, CJ Ramone and Marky Ramone aren't attending this
Birthday Bash.
Support bands rocking at the event are Ivan Julian, The Bullys,
The
Brats,
The Threads and
The
Indecent. The Gobshites had to
cancel because one member is sick.
Joey wanted and loved to promote smaller bands, so Mickey is carrying
torch great way also this year.
Venue is The Studio at Webster Hall in New York. Place only holds 400
people. Event isn't sold-out yet (situation in April 30, 2012).
You can buy tickets
here.
- Tickets are 40 dollars, and include admission into the event, a
special Joey Ramone Birthday Bash limited edition copy ...Ya Know?
Album
signed by the performers (hopefully by all of them), and an official
Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2012 T-shirt, explains Joey's brother Mickey
Leigh.
So attendees of the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash will receive the album
prior to it being available to the general public. In other words = you
can get it before release date!
Doors open at 7PM. Tickets got on sale Saturday, March 3rd at 10AM. You
can buy tickets
here.
All profit goes to cancer research.
More
details of this and older Birthday Bashes here.
PRE-MEETING: This year we will have pre-meeting at Manitobas
bar, owned by Dictators' singer Handsome Dick Manitoba. Let's meet there
at 6PM. Event at The Studio at Webster Hall starts 8PM
(doors open 7.30PM). Manitobas homepage. Address: 99
Avenue B (Btwn 6th & 7th Street), New York. NY. Phone: (212) 982-2511
(Updated: May 13, 2012)
- The Gobshites are a Celtic punk band from Boston MA, USA. Formed in
2002 by Peter Walsh (also known of Meat Depressed etc.). The Gobshites
had really exciting
chance to do recordings with Richie Ramone.
Richie and The Gobshites were in Dublin, Ireland, and recorded new CD
on November 25-27, 2011. I
(Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone) was there as well.
See photos and read my
report here.
Estimated time to put out CD was March 2012. Walsh told me on March 6,
2012, that they have to put off release of the CD until September,
2012.
- It will be available for 1/2 way to Saint Patrick's Day then. CD is
going to have around 14-16 songs. There will be extra bonus EP for
those who pre-paid (read below of Kickstarter). Bonus EP has no Richie
songs though, explained Walsh.
They are calling CD with a title: The Whistle
Before The Snap.
Richie Ramone was on drums in Dublin. Sadly bassist Cait O'Riordan
(Pogues
1983-86 and Elvis Costello 1986-2002) had to cancel this studio session.
The
Gobshites
asked help
from the Ramones, Gobshites, Pogues fans etc., because they needed more
money to get to Ireland. Fans had chance to support this project.
Through project
site was chance for example with 25 US$ to get a hard copy of full
length CD + digital download + name listed in the thank you section of
the CD. With 100 US$ you got all those, signed limited edition
poster and chance to sing a mutually-agreeable song on stage with The
Gobshites. Funding ended Nov 04, 2011, 11:59pm EDT. They got to the
goal and with a help of 62 people funding was succesful -> 5000 US$.
You can get a feeling of The Gobshites music by listening their live
version of Somebody Put
Something In My Drink. As
you can see and hear, they has many connections also for Tommy Ramone's
and Claudia Tienan's duo Uncle Monk. And here
you can see Tommy Ramone being
their guest singer!
Tommy Ramone wrote me few comments in October 21, 2011.
- Glad to hear that the Gobshites are touring Ireland, they are a great
bunch of guys and are a fine band. It should
really rock with Richie Ramone and Cait O'Riordan. Ireland is a
wonderful country to tour and the audiences are
terrific, wrote Tommy Ramone.
Uncle Monk did ten shows in Ireland in April-May, 2011.
My report of The Gobshites with Richie in Dublin
is here. (Updated: March 6, 2012)
- Also this year, 2011, was organised Johnny Ramone / Dee Dee Ramone /
Ramones
memorial event at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, CA, USA
on October
1st, 2011. This was 7th memorial event.
This outdoor event was presented by Johnny's wife Linda Ramone and
Johnny Ramone Army Chief Of
Staff John Cafiero. Tommy Ramone was only Ramones member who attended
event. So this was a great chance to meet
Tommy and also see from big
video screen Tommy playing with Johnny, Joey and Dee Dee on Don
Kirshner's Rock Concert (television show)
on August 9, 1977. Show was screened in it's entirety.
- The Johnny Tribute went well as usual. It was great to see the fans
again and we had a good time watching the
Don Kirshner show, I have not seen it in it's entirety in decades -- it
is quite a good show!, wrote Tommy
Ramone to me.
Some were thinking Tommy was pushed to the side and in a highligh were
too much The
"Hollywood" movie stars in VIP area, and other special guests The Misfits and
Juicehead
who are artists of the Misfits Records.
The Misfits released first full-length album of all-new,
original material in nearly a decade (and the first since 1999 to
feature The Misfits
originals). The Devil's Rain debuted on Billboard's Top 200 at #70, and
Billboard's Top Independent Album
Charts #12. It is produced by Ed Stasium, with some help by John
Cafiero. Stasium has produced for example
Ramones albums Road To Ruin and Too Tough To Die, and Misfits album
Famous Monsters. RichieRamone.com & Ramones Forever were
collaborating
and you had chance to get free signed giveaways autographed by Richie in
this event. Read here more
information, review written by
Joe and Deb Lunardon, and see photos taken by them. (Updated:
October 27, 2011).
- Tommy Ramone & Claudia Tienan played at the Music City
Roots show in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. There was played as a Loveless
Jam also Ramones' song I Wanna Be
Sedated, featuring Tommy Ramone. Also featuring Music City Roots own
Gabe Cantrell on drums, John Walker on guitar and Jim Lauderdale on
vocals. Tommy sang half of the song and played mandolin, instrument what
he plays in his and Claudia's duo band Uncle
Monk. Tommy asked me to
check out their version and said I am free to post the link if I want
to. Of
course I am happy. Version is different and great. (July 9,
2011)
- Joey Ramone's Birthday Bash, 60th birthday celebration is on May 19,
2011. Event is again at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, not at
Bowery Ballroom what was a second choice. Joey's brother Mickey
confirmed it.
We fans will have meeting (my idea) at place called Nevada Smiths,
starting around 4.30PM. Nevada Smiths is only three blocks away from
Irving Plaza. Address is: 74th Third Avenue (between 11th & 12th).
Every fan is welcome. Ramones' fan Andy Cintron tell it's a football
pub during the weekends but at night it's music and the main bartender
Johnny Holmes is a HUGE Ramones fan! Visit Nevada Smiths
homepage. I will have copies of my Ramones books
with me and also Hannu Jokinen of Woimasointu Records will bring copies
of solo singles by Ramones members and Dee Dee's Hop Around LP he has
released.
Joey Ramone Birthday Bash is a memory event to our angel, and this is
11th time it is organised. Tickets got sale in early March, you
can buy tickets here. Price through Live Nation is US$
35.25.
"Joey Ramone all stars" set include musicians Tommy Ramone, Richie
Ramone, Al Maddy, Andy Shernoff (The Dictators), Richie Stotts (The
Plasmatics), Ali McMordie (Stiff Little Fingers), Ed Stasium, Mickey
Leigh, Walt Stack (The Bullys), George Tabb and Tush & Snooky (Sick
F*cks) are confirmed to do perform at "Joey Ramone's Friends" set.
There were some schedule changes and because of it Andy Hilfiger and
Holly Beth Vincent won't do appearances as was planned.
Mickey wrote to me in May 9th, set will include four songs
from the upcoming 2nd Joey Ramone solo album.
Richard Lloyd will do his set. Mickey had negotiated also with
Hugh Cornwell best known for being the vocalist and guitarist for the
The Stranglers from 1974 to 1990. By 1977 The Stranglers had secured a
contract with the United Artists Records, they went on to become the
highest selling band to emerge from the UK punk scene, with numerous hit
singles and record album.
The Ramones played with The Stranglers at The Roundhouse, London, UK in
1977. Hugh has recorded many solos as well.
- Hugh Cornwell will be performing the classics that made that band
legendary. Joining Hugh on drums is Elvis Ramone also, well known as
Clem Burke of Blondie. On bass is Fish. Also will play Black 47, a
revered NYC band Joey went to see frequently, and had even
hoped to produce a record for, explains Mickey.
Also are announced to play bands The Rattlers (Mickey's), Sunday
Masquerade and The Indecent.
I do mention just in case, The Indecent is different band than The
Independents who has played many times before at the Joey Ramone
Birthday Bash (and whom members Evil and Willy B were Joey's really
close friends).
MC's: Steve Craig, Matt Pinfield and John Holmstrom. I (Jari-Pekka)
will celebrate my birthday 11th time at Joey's Birthday
Bash. Joey and
I share same birthday (May 19).
Read my previous picture-story reports: here
is from 2010 and here
is from 2009. (Updated: May 9, 2011)
- December 22, 2010 was announced Ramones being among the recipients
named
of the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Awards. The Ramones
received Grammy Awards for lifetime achievement during an
invitation-only ceremony February 12, 2011, the night before the 53rd
annual Grammy Awards.
Only five Grammys were given out to the Ramones members: to Tommy
Ramone, Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone and Marky Ramone.
So CJ Ramone and Richie Ramone (and Clem Burke aka Elvis Ramone who
attended event )
were
not recipients of Grammys Awards, nor were they recognized by the Grammy
Industry. Grammy Industry gave awards to the early members of the band.
In Grammy Awards days, CJ Ramone had shows in Paraguay and Argentina:
February 10-12. Dee Dee's wife Barbara Zampini not attended event, not
sure why. Tommy Ramone thanked CJ and John Cafiero had a mention of
Barbara. That was great. Read more information and read speeches by
Ramones
members and their families here. (Updated: February 27,
2011).
- There was published book titled Catch
Me When I Fall: A Story of Punk Rock, Addiction and Recovery written by C.J. Gunn.
Gunn played lot of shows with Marky Ramone in 2003-2005 etc.
David Divine and C.J. Gunn performed their first show with Marky Ramone
at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame event in Cleveland on June 26, 2003.
Bassist was then Daniel Rey. Soon Marky, Gunn (guitar), Aaron Dowell
(bassist) and Divine (singer) toured and did many shows together under
the name Marky Ramone & Friends.
Gunn as well followed Ramones of course when he was younger. The first
time he met the entire band was in October 1992. Gunn's old band the
Subtones got to tour with
Marky Ramone And The
Intruders for the first time in 1997. Gunn tells in my
third book Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives that he
saw
the Marky Ramone And The Intruders about 50-60 times. In 2005 he went to
do six shows in South-America with Marky Ramone and Joey Ramone's
brother Mickey. You can read
many
Gunn's Marky and Ramones related experiences from my 3rd book, but of
course now lot more from C.J. Gunn's
Catch
Me When I Fall: A Story of Punk Rock, Addiction and Recovery. Book has 298 pages and publisher is Ellora's
Cave Publishing. Book is a biography, and has educational information of
punk life and how to survive trough diffecent kind of afflictions. Gunn
tells in a introduction text: "At sixteen, I was just another poor kid
in Cleveland learning to play
power chords on my guitar. It never crossed my mind at that time that in
a few years, I'd be playing onstage in Argentina with my musical idol in
front of 17,000 rabid fans. I learned two things on my incredible
journey. One is that, no matter where you start, you can reach the
stars. The other is, you'd better watch your step when you get there
because it's a long way to fall." (December 27,
2015).
- Marky Ramone will be hosting a live Q&A on the Meet The Artist Tribe
on December 15, 2015. It starts at 6PM (GMT) / 1PM (EST). If you
download the app at
http://bit.ly/6TribesMarkyRamone and join the Meet The Artist Tribe,
you
are also entered to win a signed copy of his book Punk Rock Blitzkrieg:
My Life As A Ramone. (December 9, 2015)
- There happened something that was really crossover... Marky Ramone
played Ramones' song Blitzkrieg Bop as a guest with Public Enemy at
Beijing Pop Festival, Beijing, China on October 15, 2015. Another
guitarist of Public Enemy sang it correctly, and Chuck D also
remembered lyrics pretty well. Yes, that performance really did happen.
As many of you knows, Public Enemy is one of most successful hip hop
bands since 1980's and they has politically charged criticism. Public
Enemy was formed on Long Island, New York, USA in 1982. (October 27,
2015)
- Marky Ramone told in January, 2015, he just got signed for another
year on his radio show Marky Ramone's Punk Rock Blitzkrieg on Sirius XM.
It is on its 10th year already. Marky Ramone's Punk Rock Blitzkrieg can
be heard on Sirius XM Faction Channel 41: Wednesdays 8PM- 11PM
EST. Show rebroadcasts Saturday 3PM-6PM EST. So it is a three
hours long weekly show. Marky Ramone plays Ramones and also lots of
music from bands that influenced the Ramones and personally him.
(February 14, 2015)
- Marky Ramone has book signing events, as his book Punk Rock
Blitzkrieg: My Life As A Ramone finally got published in January, 2015.
Richard Herschlag is second author of book. Buy book from: from
Amazon.com or from
from
Amazon.co.uk
Marky wrote he is going to do book signing events also in the United
Kingdom later.
Now he has these book signing events:
- Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 7PM at Bookends. Address: 211 E
Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450, USA.
- Thursday, January 29, 2015 at 7:30 PM at Free Library Of Philadelphia.
Address: 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA. In this event
Marky has conversation with Dan Deluca (music critic, Philadelphia
Inquirer).
- Friday, January 30, 2014 at 7:00 PM at Bethlehem Area Public Library.
Address: 11 West Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018, USA.
- Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 7:00 PM at Book Revue. Address: 313 New
York Ave, Huntington, NY 11743, USA. In this event Marky has
conversation with Loren Aliperti.
- Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble. Address:
2245 Richmond Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA.
- Thursday, February 5, 2015 at RJ Julia Booksellers at Toad's Place.
Address: 300 York Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA. In this event Marky
has conversation with Brian Phelps. VIP event is at 6:00 and book
signing is at 7:00. (Updated: January 27, 2015)
- Nick Cooper of the Marky Ramone & The SpeedKings is finalizing a
book this year, 2015, about the time he was the singer-guitarist of
The Buckweeds featuring Marky Ramone, Marky Ramone Group and Marky
Ramone & The SpeedKings. The book should be out by the summer
holidays. In a photo taken by me you can see Vito Jr Dagostini,
Nick Cooper, Marky Ramone and Dee Jaywalker.
Nick Cooper was also main songwriter
in those groups. Name Marky Ramone Group was only used shortly
until it got changed to Marky Ramone & The SpeedKings. Here you can
find most
extensive details on internet of those years
(2000/01-2004).
More details of Nick's book project from press release: "The book
is the on the road
story of a few years of playing rock and roll with the drummer of
the iconic Ramones. It's the story and the truth that Nick recalls
from those days on the road in Europe,
Japan and the USA. Sometimes funny, sometimes really hilarious,
sometimes pretty fucked up. A little bit of drugs, some crazy sex
but above all a lot of rock and roll."
For his book, Nick could use some help from the people who were at
the shows, hung out with the band etc. If you have any
photographs, newspaper clippings, or if you want to write down
what you still remember of those days. Please send material to me,
by using this
form or E-mailing me: jplaitioramone (a) gmail.com. I will
forward material to Nick.
So the book should be out by the summer holidays. It will be a
paperback version with lots of pictures but the book will also
come in a limited edition hardcover version, pre-order only. Nick
also works on a DVD compilation of the footage he shot on film
during those years of touring, liveshows and backstage fun. If
anyone still has camera footage it would be highly recommended
too. All contributors will be credited. So please send material to
me by using this
form or E-mailing me: jplaitioramone (a) gmail.com. (January
10, 2015).
- Marky Ramone signed a deal with publisher Simon & Schuster in 2013.
Simon & Schuster will publish Marky's book of his memoirs. Marky has
worked around 10 years with his book. Release date has changed really
many times. After signing a deal, Marky Ramone promised it finally
coming out in 2013. Soon Simon & Schuster told on their site that book
has 384 pages, has hard cover and publication date is September 17,
2013. It also comes out as a eBook. But release date was postponed
again, with one year and new date told was September 9, 2014... But in
September, 2014, Marky confirmed new release dating being January 13,
2015. And I got told final version has 416 pages. In the USA is
also chance to buy kindle version. Richard Herschlag is second
author of book.
Buy Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life
As A Ramone from: from
Amazon.com or from
from
Amazon.co.uk.
Marky said in one point to me in one of our interviews that he think
name being Faith In The Backbeat. Anyway new and final title is Punk
Rock
Blitzkrieg: My Life As A Ramone. About 10 years of working...
In my interview with him to my third book Ramones:
Soundtrack Of Our
Lives he told in January, 2005 this way already: "Marky: Right now I
have to concentrate on finishing my book."
And then I asked: Jari-Pekka: "You have been working on your book since
2003. You are writing stories of your experiences in the New York scene.
Are you adding anything outside of music?"
Marky Ramone replied to me: "Oh yeah where I was born, my book covers
where I went to school, how I got started in music, when it ended, and
when I retired with the Ramones. I talk about the time when the Ramones
retired in 1996, we didn't have to; but we felt we were at the top of
our game. I wrote about being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of
Fame."
I am kind of afraid how his book is as Marky wanted to wait other
Ramones' books were published before he tells his opinions... Marky
tells he has written whole book.
Release party of Marky Ramone's autobiography Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My
Life As A Ramone is at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City on
Saturday, January 17, 2015. Then Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg featuring
Andrew W.K. on vocals will do full set.
About Simon & Schuster, company is one of the four largest
English-language publishers and publishing houses, alongside Random
House, Penguin, and HarperCollins. Mickey Leigh's and Legs McNeil's I
Slept With Joey Ramone was also published by Simon & Schuster.
Buy Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life
As A Ramone from: from
Amazon.com or from
from
Amazon.co.uk (Updated: November 28,
2014).
- I got told Michale Graves (ex-Misfits etc.) retired from live
activity. He did first shows with Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg in
November, 2008 and they had many tours together.
In South-American tour in November 2014, Marky's singer will be Oscar of
The Wardogs. Oscar's voice and live attitude are
really great. You will enjoy of seeing him on stage. Check out dates
here. (November 4, 2014)
- Release party of Marky Ramone's autobiography Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My
Life As A Ramone is at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City on
Saturday, January 17, 2015. Then Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg featuring
Andrew W.K. on vocals will do full set.
There are regular and VIP tickets. VIP tickets include personal meet &
greet and autographed copy of book will be available. Meet & Greet will
be held in the venue lounge one hour before doors. Read more details
here. (October 16, 2014).
- Latest Marky Ramone signature product is Guineu Marky Ramone's
Natural
Brown Ale. It is Spanish brown ale beer what has alcohol 6,0 procent.
Bottle is 330 ml / 11,159 oz. Brewer is Ca l'Arenys / Guineu. Here is a
message from brewer: "This natural brown ale coming soon is a fine craft
beer designed by Marky Ramone and Guzman (Guineu head brewer). Our aim
is to offer you a recipe rich in flavor & aroma to enjoy it, of course,
listening Marky Ramone's music."
Other Marky Ramone signature products include gelato (ice-cream),
sunglasses and pasta sauce. Read more
here. (September 20, 2014)
- San Diego Comic-Con International, is
annual fan convention in San
Diego, USA, held since 1970. It is the largest Comic-Con in the USA,
like in 2010 there were around 130 000 people. Marky Ramone will be at
Comic Con International at San Diego Convention Center in San Diego at
Exhibitor
Table J-8. If you want to take photo with Marky or ask autographg, you
have to pay. Marky will be at Exhibitor Table J-8.
Wednesday July 23 6:00PM-8:00PM.
Thursday July 24 11:00AM-2:00PM.
Friday July 25 3:00PM-6:00PM.
Saturday July 26 11:00AM-3:00PM.
Sunday July 27 11:00AM-2:00PM.
On Friday July 25, 2014, from 1:00PM-2:00PM Marky will be at the IDW
Comics Booth 2643 signing Killogy Comics (free while supply lasts). On
Saturday, July 26th from 7:00PM-8:00PM Marky will be speaking on the
Comic Con Panel titled Comics & Pop Music!, taking place in Room
28DE.
Also Marky Ramone will be doing an in-store appearance and signing at
FeeLit in San Diego on Thursday July 24th from 4:00PM-6:00PM PST.
And after Comic Con Saturday Night July 26, 2014, Marky Ramone does DJ
party at Til-Two Club in San Diego. Marky Ramone will DJ an exclusive
set along with
performances by
Wild Records recording artists The Black Mambas, Rock The House and
Gizzelle Andrea Becerra. (July 17, 2014)
- Marky Ramone, Frank Vincent (Goodfellas, Raging Bull, The Sopranos)
and Brea Grant (Dexter, Heroes) teamed up with Alan Robert's Killogy
Comic Series, in four issue comic book mini-series in October 2012.
Mini-series is written and illustrated by Alan Robert, who is the
creator of IDW Publishing's hit series Crawl To Me. Now in May,
2014, was told there's gonna be an animated series based on the Killogy
comic, and Marky will be voicing himself. Award-winning executive
producer/writer Rodney Barnes (The Boondocks, Everybody Hates Chris) has
joined forces with Robert to develop an animated television series based
on Killogy. Barnes and Robert will serve as executive producers on the
series, with Barnes penning the screenplay for the pilot episode.
Celebrities Frank Vincent, Marky Ramone and Brea Grant, who all appeared
in the Killogy graphic novel, will now lend their voices to the show.
Producers Chris White (My Super Psycho Sweet 16 franchise) and Jeff
Mazzola (Descent) are also on board. Visit Killogy site here. (May 15,
2014).
- Recently were published few well-known music magazines featuring
Ramones on cover. UK music mag UnCut celebrate in their March 2014,
issue 40 years of the Ramones with an extensive cover story by Peter
Watts. Watts did many interviews around the Ramones. UnCut also has
CD featuring new bands.
February 2014 issue of Modern Drummer has Marky Ramone on cover and it
has extensive interview with him. (Updated: February 10,
2014)
- Marky Ramone, Frank Vincent (Goodfellas, Raging Bull, The Sopranos)
and Brea Grant (Dexter, Heroes) teamed up with Alan Robert's Killogy
Comic Series, in four issue comic book mini-series in October 2012.
Mini-series is written and illustrated by Alan Robert, who is the
creator of IDW Publishing's hit series Crawl To Me.
Killogy starring Marky Ramone has been Nominated for a Horror Comic
Award. You can
vote here after you register. Register here.
Visit Killogy site here.
Alan Robert's has said earlier:
"When I was growing up, I must've seen Goodfellas and Raging Bull about
forty times each, easy. I mean, I can still recite entire scenes by
heart. The same goes for my old Ramones records. They are total
classics to me. So now, to be working with some of my childhood heroes,
along with Brea, on something so cool and different like this, what can
I say. it's a great honor and at the same time, it's
a bit surreal.", said Roberts. (December 30, 2013)
- I was really, really happy to see Marky Ramone is supporting campaign
for getting free 30 men and women who are accused of hooliganism in
Russia for a peaceful protest against oil drilling in the fragile Arctic
in September, 2013. Sini Saarela of my home country Finland and Marco
Weber of Switzerland boarded an oil rig in the Russian Arctic.
All 28 activicts and two freelance journalist were in jail in Russia,
until they were released in November. Read
here more details what has happened. (December 2,
2013)
- Marky Ramone will be a guest at Rhode Island Comic Con, USA, on
November 3, 2013. Marky Ramone will be signing autographs at Rhode
Island Comic Con using IMAGE In-Person, offering you an opportunity to
get an autograph with video authentication including you in the video
or to have your item signed. Rhode Island Comic Con opening times:
November 3rd 10AM-17PM.
As a second chance, you don't have to attend event in person, if you
wanna
buy Marky Ramone Marinara Pasta Sauce with personalized autograph or his
photo with personalized autograph for 49
US$ (+postage outside of the USA) or Marky Ramone Autographed Evans 14"
Drum Head with 149 US$ (+postage outside of the USA) or limited edition
Drum Head Artwork with 149 US$ (+postage outside of the USA).
You can get those by
visiting this site and buying products there.
All items must be purchased by Sunday November 3, 2013 at 9:00 AM
Eastern Time. Each Item is unique and personalized.
That site tells: "Fill in the greeting sections for your video
and for the item being signed. After your item has been signed, the
video of your Personalized Autograph Experience will be delivered via
email. You will receive your signed item(s), a flash drive
with your personalized video and certificate of authenticity by mail
within a week of the event. (October 30, 2013)
- Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg featuring Michale Graves played at
the Rock In Rio festival in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil on September
14, 2013. Also were playing for example Offspring, Rob Zombie,
Sepultura, Slayer and Metallica. Marky Ramone played as a guest
two songs with the Offspring, songs were: California Sun and
R.A.M.O.N.E.S. Check
performance here on YouTube. (October 1, 2013)
- Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg is doing a tour with Andrew W.K. being
singer for a 2013 World Tour. First announced date is at Santos
Party House in New York, NYC, USA on May 3, 2013, and next is free
show at TRG Slobode in Novi Sad, Serbia on May 9, 2013.
Also tour goes
for example to Italy, Spain, Russia, Finland, Greece, Germany,
UK and Scotland. Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg's singers have been
before Michale Graves and David Divine.
Andrew W.K. is from America and he
released his first album I Get Wet in 2001 on Island Records, and
it soon rose to the #1 position on Billboard's 'Heatseekers' list.
Album include his most famous song Party Hard.
In late 2003 Andrew released The Wolf what featured man playing
all the instruments on the recording. His latest albums
are from 2008 and 2009. Andrew W.K. is featured also on
Joey Ramone's video of New
York City song.
See Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg featuring Andrew W.K.
tour
dates here. (April 2, 2013)
- IMAGE (Interactive Meet And Greet Entertainment) people sent me
information of their cool development in 2012. IMAGE hosted then an
online event with Marky Ramone. They do it again with Marky on April 19,
2013. Here are background what is this...
Event is a live, online autograph signing. IMAGE's patented technology
allows a fan to eyewitness a celebrity signing an autograph through any
internet connected device. An IMAGE Meet And Greet includes video
authenticity on a flash drive, video phone call and download.
An IMAGE Personal Experience is a face-to-face audio-visual encounter
through the Internet, enabling a consumer to see the Talent signing a
pre-purchased item, including an overhead camera as picture-in-picture
of the signing, captured live as it happens and sent to them on a USB
flash drive with the item as indisputable authenticity, along with a
video phone call (if a video phone number is provided) and a download of
the unique Personal Experience sent to by email. Shipping is included in
the purchase price.
Fan can picks out the item they wish to have signed (see
here). Now everyone can decide if is interested to buy Marky's Vic
Firth
Signature Series Drum Sticks with 49$ or Marky's Pasta Sauce with 49$ of
his autographed photo with 39$. Remember price including shippinh.
Great items are limited editition art
prints. Here is information of one of them (see photo in right): "Marky
Ramone Autographed Color Limited Edition Drum Head Artwork, "Robot
One," first series, 16" x 20," edition series of 40, professionally
reproduced from original art in mixed media done by Marky in 2011,
acid-free velvet matte archival paper, hand numbered and signed in
pencil and/or marker, numbered hologram and Certificate of Authenticity,
with IMAGE Video Authenticity on Flash Drive and Online Archive
Registry."
See more details
here. (April 2, 2013)
- Marky Ramone (then Marc Bell) recorded two albums with Dust in
1971-72. He was only 16-17 year old by this time. Marky played of
course drums and other players on this trio were bassist Kenny Aaronson
(Joan Jett, Billy Idol and Bob Dylan) and Richie Wise (Later produced
Kiss). Dust broke up in 1972. Dust was one of America's first heavy
metal bands, being ahead of time. What I know the Dust was
working on a third album before they split.
Both albums have been remastered and will be released as a single CD
(Dust/ Hard Attack) on Legacy Recordings April 16, 2013. The remastered
albums - taken from the original analog master tapes - will also be
available as a Record Store Day exclusive vinyl release April 20,
2013. LP comes in an individually numbered gatefold jacket.
I remember how surprised I was, when I did an interviews with Mikael
Åkerfeldt of The Opeth etc. and Dan Swänö (producer,
ex-bands Katatonia, Nightingale, Bloodbath) at Wacken Open Air
Festival in Germany in 2005. They both told how they were big fans of
the Dust. You can find lot of their comments and thoughs of Dust's album
from those interviews published in Ramones:
Soundtrack Of Our Lives book. Read more of Dust albums
here
(April 1, 2013)
- Musicians being part of Rock Against MS - All-Star Benefit concert at
Whisky A Go Go, West Hollywood, CA, USA on March 27, 2013, include
Marky Ramone, Lemmy Kilmister (Motörhead), Glenn Hughes (Trapeze,
ex-Deep Purple), Steven Adler (ex-Guns N'Roses etc.), Ginger
Fish (ex-Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie), Jack Russell (Great White) etc.
etc.
There will be a silent auction at the event too to raise money for this
worthwhile cause. Event is for 16 years and over. These artists are
coming together to support a long time friend and
publicist Nancy Sayle, who was struck with Primary Progressive MS in
2009. This is a severe version of the disease and only 10% are inflicted
with this level. She was also diagnosed with a pituitary brain tumor
2012. (March 7, 2013)
- Avenue X published a new album in late 2012. As I wrote in January
2012, Marky Ramone recorded a miniCD in 2011 with Avenue X. Below you
can find information with Marzio Dal Monte's comments. Version of
miniCD was added to Itunes in December 2012, but in Amazon its been
since 2011,
buy
it from here [Explicit]. Buy
Avenue
X album here
.
- I made a debut miniCD with Marky and my wife Dionna. Marky played in
every song of the minicd of Avenue X. Marky was my best man, mine and my
wife's witness at our wedding. What happened is me, him and Dionna
started to hang out like a band, like he was again in the Ramones I
supposed he felt, Marzio is thinking.
PHOTO CAPTIONS: You can see Marky and Marzio in different places:
Photo 1) Marzio Dal Monte and Marky Ramone hanging out on 2nd Avenue
eating chicken vindaloo at Bowery in New York, USA (refers to song: I
Just
Want To Have Something To Do).
Photo 2:
Marzio and Marky in Venice, Italy. Photo 3) Marky, Marzio and Jimmy Webb
at Trash And Vaudeville in New York. Jimmy is fabulous person and TAV's
store manager. Photo 4) Dionna Dal Monte.
You can listen a miniCD song called Blue Moon On Kentucky. Marzio put it
on-line here. And here is a video of You
Mean Everything To Me song from album.
Marzio is also a very good manager and famous as a skydiver.
- I was the one that bring back Marky to the center of the attention. I
found Marky a lot of things with TV, with cover of Maxim, sponsored
by Alfa Romeo, Converse etc. (all sponsors of mine because of my
skydiving and now sponsors of Avenue X), Marzio listed.
Marzio also set up a tour in Italy for Marky for 3 months, from December
2011 to February 2012. Marky had then DJ sets and meet and greet events.
See dates here
on my site.
Marzio is from Italy but now lives with Dionna in New York City.
Then something happened because of other person. Marzio (bassist),
Dionna Dal Monte (ex-Cole) (singer-guitarist) and Paolo Isetti (drummer)
recorded that album.
- Dionna is the most talented person I have ever met, at 14 years she
played the guitar two years with Les Paul, she wrote songs for Crash
Test Dummies at the age of 16... She is the best. And I knew the one
with Marky would be only a minicd. I don't work for Marky anymore.
You can find Avenue X
homepage here. (February 2, 2013)
- I want to tell information also of artists who are played in line-up's
of
Ramones members. Clare "Noizee" MissTake's and Alex Kane's band
AntiProduct played
first time with Marky Ramone as his back-up band in 2004. They got
permanent
members and played last shows with Marky in 2010. Read here
interview of those years and there are also longer details of Noizee
and its debut album titled Loud!!!.
So Clare is nowadays known as Noizee. Now got published video of
Noizee song End Of The World, watch
it
here and buy
End
Of The World here.
End Of The World is produced by Kim Fowley whom a regular studio
session musician Noizee has been since 2009.
Loud!!! got published in summer 2012
and has cool Ramones covers, a
genius song Happy
Birthday Fuck You (Facebook banned it) etc.
Buy Loud!!! from iTunes or CD's
UK
version here or USA
version here .
Noizee's homepage is here. (February 1, 2013)
- WhyHunger has an annual fundraiser for hungry children called
Hungerthon, and they wrote me that one of their auction "item" is get
for lunch with Marky Ramone in New York City.
Auction ends in Thursday, 13 December, 2012, at 3:36PM EST. Click here
to get
straight to auction. Winner and a friend can join Marky at one of
his favorite restaurants called DBGB's at Bowery
in New York, USA.
WhyHunger is based in New York, but are an international organization.
Click here to
see what kind of important work they do and see choices to support
WhyHunger. Marky Ramone has supported
organization also earlier, like I has put on my page year ago
information how his event at Hard Rock Cafe Firenze was a benefit in
support of WhyHunger. Now around Christmas time I want to mention of
some organizations as well, you can donate in a good cause... You might
remember CJ Ramone supporting Autism Speaks and me
contributing a portion of the profits from my Ramones memorial
books for Juliana Von
Wendt Fund. This fund was founded in 1971 and they
support humane researching method without animals (Joey and Johnny
Ramone passed away because of cancer). Also this year I am donated money
in a name of the guys to Juliana Von Wendt Fund. Also I
am forwarded a portion of the profits to aid in the
study of drug addiction (Dee Dee Ramone died because of drugs) and
to Animalia.
Animalia is founded in 1961, Animalia is Finland's leading animal
protection organization (Dee Dee and Joey were animal lovers, I am
vegetarian since 1995 etc.) There are lot of choices around you to help
organizions... Have a Merry Christmas. (December 9, 2012)
- Wardogs is
a band from Treviso, Italy. Wardogs released their Ramones'
tribute/ cover album titled Raw & Dirty Days in a big party in Treviso
in September 2012. Album has by Wardogs 20 covers of Ramones songs
or songs that also Ramones covered and a song that Joey covered What A
Wonderful World. - Raw & Dirty Days is our personal tribute to the
Ramones and we don't want to try to emulate them (it's impossible!!!).
We tried to maintain album raw, explains cool guitarist Sandro
Mariuz. Bonus track is Blitzkrieg Bop and it is a live version from
a show that Marky Ramone played with Mariuz etc. under name Marky Ramone
& Andead at Palaverde, Treviso, Italy on December 31, 2011. After song
ends, it turns to 2012. Wardogs plays songs with a good spirit,
strong sound, kind of studio live energy and after first classics
Rockaway Beach, Blitzkrieg Bop, Sheena Is A Punk Rocker, Havana Affair
and Commando it comes Main Man from album Mondo Bizarro (1992). A good
choice. Vocalist Oscar really has Joey influenced voice and especially
in What A Wonderful World Joey's spirit is there. Thanks from me
(Jari-Pekka) to you gentlemen of giving nice thanks in a thanks list on
CD sleeve. Check out Wardogs homepage (there is a store as
well!) and Facebook
site. (December 4, 2012)
- Marky Ramone and Beware Of Mr. Baker filmmaker Jay Bulger will be
appearing at 8.20PM at Film Forum in New York on December 6, 2012.
Address: 209 West Houston
Street, between 6th Avenue and Varick (7th Avenue), New York, NY 10014,
USA. See more details
here. (December 4, 2012)
- IMAGE (Interactive Meet And Greet Entertainment) people sent me
information of their cool development. IMAGE is hosting an online
event with Marky Ramone was first scheluded at 6.00PM EST on November
23rd, 2012. But...
- We had technical difficulties today and have had to reschedule the
Meet And Greet for tomorrow morning (November 24), 10am EST. We are
still in beta test mode and will be working through the night to
correct the issues. We apologize for any inconvenience, wrote Angel
LaCanfora of IMAGE.
Here are background what is this...
Event is a live, online autograph signing. IMAGE's patented technology
allows a fan to eyewitness a celebrity signing an autograph through any
internet connected device. An IMAGE Meet And Greet includes video
authenticity on a flash drive, video phone call and download.
An IMAGE Personal Experience is a face-to-face audio-visual encounter
through the Internet, enabling a consumer to see the Talent signing a
pre-purchased item, including an overhead camera as picture-in-picture
of the signing, captured live as it happens and sent to them on a USB
flash drive with the item as indisputable authenticity, along with a
video phone call (if a video phone number is provided) and a download of
the unique Personal Experience sent to by email. Shipping is included in
the purchase price.
After the fan picks out the item they wish to have signed at Marky
Ramone's website they don't have to worry about their place in line
or getting to the location.
Angel LaCanfora from IMAGE sent me also this personal message.
- We want to offer to the visitors of your website a special 10%
offer to anyone who wants to participate in this event. Just have them
reference the code MARKYONE, Angel wrote.
Thanks Angel. There are a very limited number of experiences available
for each Talent
based on their time commitment, and there is a limited number of each
item, some in very small quantities. Once items are sold out and
allotted experiences, the event will be sold out. Read more
information here. (Updated: November 23, 2012)
- Marky Ramone will be appearing Saturday, November 24th, 2012, at the
PA Annual
"Not Just" Rock Expo 2012 at The Greater Philadelphia
Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Address: Marky is there
from noon to 3PM.
Event is free, but I am not sure if they were written uncorrectly at
their site that Marky is signing autographs
for a fee (autograph cost...), hopefully they meant free. (November 12,
2012)
- This piece of news is of Noizee... But first background information
of bassist lady Clare MissTake (AntiProduct, Noizee, The Ramonas (UK)
etc.). Clare is hyperactive on stage
and many Ramones fans got chance to experience it, when lady toured
years with one of three Ramones drummers, Marky Ramone. Clare's and
guitarist Alex Kane's (AntiProduct, The Toilet Boys
etc.) band AntiProduct played first time with Marky
Ramone as his back-up band in 2004. Extensively they started to
tour with Marky in August, 2005. David Divine was singer in
2005-2008. Line-up after that to 2010 was Marky, Clare, Alex and
Michale Graves (ex-Misfits etc.). Read my interview
with Clare and Alex here.
Now Clare has solo band Noizee! Noizee's debut album titled Loud!!!
got published in summer 2012. UK release date was July 4, 2012. It
takes a while to fly to the world of Noizee and Loud!!! But trip
is worth of it. Loud!!! is mix of electronic, punk, pop and disco
elements, and has raw attitude. Something pretty unique. You has
chance to listen electronic-disco-pop version of Ramones' song
A Real Cool Time (song written by Joey Ramone in Halfway To
Sanity). Version of Ramones' song Somebody Put Something In My
Drink (song written by Richie Ramone in Animal Boy) has a bit
more raw and heavier attitude. Clare also covers Ramones' tunes I
Wanna Be Sedated and Blitzkrieg Bop.
So first listening moments are a bit confusing, but things start
rolling and you get idea of sense of humour. And pretty genius song
is Happy Birthday Fuck You. You can sing it to everyone you want
with a humour or not! Check
out it's cool video.
Btw, great gentleman, Dregen (Backyard Babies and Michael Monroe
Band) plays guitar in some tracks. And thanks Clare of credits to
me in
CD booklet.
Buy Loud!!!'s
USA
version here
or UK
version here.
Noizee's homepage is
here.
(Updated: August 2, 2012)
- Marky Ramone continue doing also DJ shows etc. He does four DJ
shows in Spain in September 2012. Also Marky is special guest at
Ventura Nationals in Ventura, CA, USA. Place is Ventura County
Fairgounds. Events are hotrod and motorcycle shows etc. More
infos here. (August 1, 2012)
- Michale Graves does intensive solo tour in
the USA in July 5 - September 2, 2012 (see dates here),
and he is not performing with Marky in July-August. Michale Graves has
sang with Marky Ramone since November, 2008, and that
time
line-up was Marky, Michale, guitarist Alex Kane (Antiproduct) and
bassist Clare (Antiproduct, Noizee etc.).
Now in July-August, 2012, Michale concentrate to do solo things and
singer in July-August shows is David Divine. Divine was Marky Ramone's
singer in 2005-2008. With Marky are Divine touring Crazy Joe and Martin
Blitz.
I asked some comments from Divine.
- First off I can't wait to play in front of probably the best fans
there are in music..., Ramones fans bring massive energy every night. As
far as playing with Marky, I am again both excited by it and looking
forward too it like I said before above and beyond anything I feel we
are friends and whenever asked to do an incredible tour with Marky I am
honored to get the call, E-mailed David Divine to me in July 1,
2012.
David Divine's and Johhny Mesz's rock/ pop rock band Divine Mesz just
released album
called Tangerine. Get it from
Amazon.com.
- I sing two songs on the album Tangerine and pretty mess the two
punkier
ones, the rest of the album I play both bass and guitar and wrote a lot
of the lyrics and the ones I am not singing on are sung by Johhny Mesz.
The album is available on iTunes, CDbaby and most other stores, the song
Last Night In Hollywood features some of my poetry in the beginning
which
I speak and is from a fictional book I wrote to be released in
September,
2012, called the Gothic Poet. Excepts can be read at
http://daviddivinebrooks.wordpress.com/about,
wrote David Divine. (July 1, 2012)
- What are next steps Marky Ramone and Michale Graves are doing at
live...? Marky Ramone is one of three surviving Ramones drummers and
Michale Graves is old The Misfits singer etc. etc. Marky and Michale
performed first shows together in late 2008.
And situation is now... Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg has announced to punk
four shows in July,
2012 (Montenegro and Croatia) and two shows in August, 2012 (Finland
and Sweden). See Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg
dates
here.
Michale Graves does intensive solo tour in the USA in July 5 -
September 2, 2012 (see dates here),
and
in July-August with Marky, Crazy Joe and Martin Blitz is singing David
Divine. Let's see how things are in September.
Marky and Michale are going to do
an album in November, 2012. Also Michale is going to release his
next solo record in fall / winter 2012. I just wanted to give you some
information that you aren't surprised... (Updated: July 1,
2012)
- One of three surviving Ramones drummers: Marky Ramone and Michale
Graves (singer, ex-Misfits etc.) are going to do an album in November,
2012. Possibly also their live guitarist Crazy Joe and bassist Graham
Vanderveen will enter studio.
Earlier Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg are
released two singles: If And When was put to ITunes in March 2011. You
can download it
here if you has iTunes. Then in March 2011 Michale Graves said
studio version of If And When debuted on his show Radio Deadly
Show. Michale has played If And When in his
acoustic solo performances, like it is said it was brand new tune when
he played it at live in one radio show in April 2010.
Also earlier Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg has released When We Were Angels,
in January 2010. When We Were
Angels is new version of song which
Michale Graves has released in his Illusions album in 2007. (June 15,
2012).
- Daniel Maurer had an interview with Keith Album in East Village (New
York, USA) newspaper on May 11, 2012. Subject was Marky Ramone's food
truck. Marky
Ramone's Cruisin' Kitchen hit the streets again about two weeks ago,
April
2012. Keith Album, a French Culinary Institute grad who has worked in
catering, as a personal chef, and most recently at Whole Foods,
describes his concept as "worldwide balls," with Marky Ramone's
signature marinara pasta sauce slathered over the Italian variety. Marky
Ramone's name, face etc. are on truck.
Marky's marinara isn't the only topping available: "Asian balls
are topped with Napa cabbage, chorizo balls are topped with mango salsa,
and there are even chickpea-based vegan balls etc.", is explained in
article.
Keith Album wants to be around Marky's local shows, like he was at the
Bell House in Gowanus, Brooklyn.
- "Marky talks about coming on the truck when he can fit it in. He
hasn't actually served customers but we do speak about him making
appearances", said Keith.
He hopes to park Marky Ramone's Cruisin' Kitchen on weekend evenings at
Trader Joe's on 14th Street in East Village in New York, USA.
Read here about
Marky's
pasta sauce, condoms, sunglasses.... (May 12, 2012)
- Marky Ramone had many appearances in Italy in December 2011 - January
2012. Marky wrote in January 31, 2012 of his signature gelato
(ice-cream): "MEC3 (Italy), one of the largest gelato
companies in the world, is putting out my own flavor, in over 100
countries called "Marky Ramone's cookies." Its a delicious chocolate
gelato with grunchy chocolate cookies. Part of the proceeds will go to
charity, Marky Ramone explained."
AND MEC3 informed me with following press release: "MEC3 is issuing a
new "challenge", combining two apparently irreconcilable distant
worlds: ice cream and punk rock music. Yes.. That's right! It's him,
Marky Ramone, former drummer of the Ramones, the legendary punk rock
band which entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and which
was defined by experts as the greatest band in music history after the
Beatles."
WTF? Does anyone of us (fans) tells opinion. It is a long way from
1974... Read here about
Marky's
condoms, pasta sauce, sunglasses.... (February 6, 2012)
- Marky Ramone has recorded miniCD with a new duo called Avenue X.
Avenue X:s
members are
(married couple) Marzio Dal Monte and Dionna Dal Monte (ex-Cole).
Marzio is selling
shows for Marky, doing some manager works etc. So now Marky and Marzio
also recorded
together MiniCD. Marky is drummer, Marzio bassist and Dionna
singer-guitarist.
You can listen song called Blue Moon On Kentucky. Marzio put it
on-line
here. (January 5, 2012)
- Guitar-vocalist Clare Pproduct and vocalist-guitarist Alex Kane are
members of AntiProduct founded in 2000. AntiProduct's sound is mix of
punk, metal, pop etc. elements. AntiProduct has released lot of singles
and EP's and three albums: Consume And Die... The Rest Is All Fun
(2000), Made In Usa (2003) and
Please Take Your Cash (2009).
AntiProduct played first time with Marky Ramone as his back-up band in
2004. Last shows Alex Kane (as a guitarist-vocalist) and Clare (as a
bassist-vocalist) had with Marky in 2010. So they toured a lot
with Marky. You can read great,
extensive and informative interview I has done with
Clare and Alex here. You will learn lot new things... (December 20,
2011)
- Chiller
Theatre Toy,
Model
And Film Expo is again in Parsippany, New Jersey,
USA. This is an Horror Convention in October 28-30, 2011.
One of the many special guests attending the Chiller Theatre Toy, Model
And Film
Expo is Marky Ramone, one of four surviving Ramones' members. Marky will
be there
in
October 29:
"This Saturday, one day only, I will sign my photos, drum sticks, and
posters. It
is always alot of fun going there, says Marky"
Other guests include Elvira "Mistress of the Dark", Bebe Buell, Pam
"Jackie Brown"
Grier, boxer Smokin' Joe Frazier etc. etc.
Read here tribute text for Johnny Ramone
written by
Kevin Clement of Chiller Theatre.
(October 25, 2011)
- VH1 Classic is a television network (owner MTV Networks/ Viacom). VH1
Classic TV channel
has Marky's guest appearance on Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp. Season 2
started airing on
VH1 Classic on August 20. This season, the show stars Duff McKagan and
Matt Sorum (both of
Guns N' Roses/ Velvet Revolver) and Mark Hudson with special guest
appearances from Paul
Stanley of KISS, Sammy Hagar, Phil Collen of Def Leppard, Marky Ramone
etc. VH1 Classic has
Marky's appearance on September 3, 2011. (September 2, 2011)
- Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg had a long summer tour. They played for
example in Costa Rica, Columbia, Chile, Argentina, Spain, France, Italy,
Indonesia, Estonia and Finland. Here
are some photos taken by me from shows at YO-Talo, Tampere, Finland on
August 5, 2011 and
Nosturi, Helsinki, Finland on August 6th, 2011. I will write long review
later. (August 7,
2011)
- I have known Estonian Ramones' fan Mart Niineste around 10 years and
it was good to see he met finally one of the Ramones members. You can see and listen
video
interview Mart did with Marky Ramone in Tallinna,
Estonia on August 2, 2011.
Interview lasts 14 minutes and Mart asks some not so typical questions,
like was nice to hear him asking of Tequila Baby and Tarakany (Marky has
toured with both). Marky also tells of original punk scene, of his time
with Richard Hell & the Voidoids, of drum sets etc. Click here to see and listen
interview. (August 2, 2011)
- Marky Ramone had since mid 90's to 2000 band called Marky Ramone And
The Intruders (click to see infos). Band released two albums.
And Marky Ramone told in July, 2011, that Marky Ramone And The
Intruders is gonna re-release soon some material including some special
stuff. (July
9, 2011)
- Marky Ramone is regularly promoting his Brooklyn's Own Pasta Sauce.
Whole Foods Market West Hollywood (7871 Santa Monica Blvd.,West
Hollywood, CA, USA) is hosting Marky's pasta sauce, and live musical
appearance on July 9, 2011. His pasta sauce is exclusively available at
the Whole Foods Market West Hollywood and Fairfax locations. Marky will
be signing jars of his pasta sauce and some souvenir drum sticks. 10 %
of net proceeds from the sale of the pasta sauce from these events goes
to charity. Event is 1PM-5PM on July 9, 2011. Read more of pasta
sauce here. (June 30, 2011)
- On June 20, 2011, Marky Ramone did a radio interview on one of
Germany's biggest
radio stations 1LIVE, Plan B. Listen
it here, it is pretty good interview and 7 minutes long. Hope to
hear soon new interviews
also with other surviving Ramones members: Tommy, Richie and CJ.
Marky Ramone did a radio interview on one of Germany's biggest
radio stations 1LIVE, Plan B. Listen
it here. Marky forgot again CJ and Richie, so in addition to Tommy
and him, also
surviving Ramones members are CJ and Richie.
Keith Newman interviewed Marky Ramone for his new punk radio show
which starts on June 9, 2011. Keith's Marky Ramone interview airs on
Thursday 16th June between 8pm and 10pm UK time.
June 23, 2011 between 8pm and 10pm UK time, is aired Keith's interview
with legendary photographer Roberta Bayley,
Roberta tells about Ramones, Sex Pistols and Ian Dury.
Stay tuned that time at www.ultraradio.co.uk.
Btw, Keith attended Ramones show in Newcastle in England 1980, only show
where Ramones played Baby, I Love You at live. (June 23,
2011)
- May 31, 2011, was "release party" of Marky Ramone's
signature sunglasses. Sunglasses are by Brazilian company Evoke.
Release party was in Sao Paulo, Brazil and was closed to 250 guests.
Marky Ramone
did an acoustic show together with Michale Graves (Michale and Marky
are toured together longer time already). The 1000 copies will be sold
in Brazil, Paris (France), Oslo (Norway) and Tokyo (Japan), and you can
make an order at Evoke's homepage.
Officially Evoke's Marky Ramone's
signature model hits stores in July. See
here photos of release event
(also photo of Glen Matlock of Sex Pistols who attended event) taken by
Ramones' fan Marcus Padula. You can find
here information of many of his signature products. (Updated:
June 13, 2011)
- Some of you know Marky Ramone having Brooklyn's Own Pasta Sauce
available... A recipe is by Marky. Brooklyn's Own Pasta Sauce is
currently available at various House Of Blues venues and at Markyramone.com.
Marky has had some promotional events, like read here
of event at Chef Central in New Jersey where Marky was. I also added
there some parts of Marky's interview at NorthJersey.com.
Here is review about it. The Wall Street Journal had picked 16 brands of
basic tomato sauce, from the common commercial to specialty selections,
and subjected them to the palates of red-sauce aficionados Michael
Chernow and Daniel Holzman, chefs and proprietors of New York's casual
Italian restaurant the Meatball Shop. In three rounds of blind
tastings, the duo picked five jars that even a slow-cooking Italian
mamma could love. Marky's one was one of Top-5. Here are comments of it
by those people: "Marky Ramone serves up a mean marinara with a
powerful
peppery seasoning. The recipe was passed down by his grandfather, once a
chef at Manhattan's '21' Club. "There's a lot of olive oil in this one,
but that is not a bad thing," Mr. Holzman pointed out. Mr. Chernow
appreciated its "great texture thanks to plum tomato seeds that give it
a little crunch."
You can find
here information of many of his signature products. (May 9,
2011)
- Guitar-vocalist Clare is a member of UK band AntiProduct founded in
2000 and she played many tours with Marky etc. AntiProduct played first
time with Marky Ramone as his back-up band in 2004. They toured lot
together. Last shows they had with Marky in 2010. I did an interview
with Clare. Read
first two parts of interview here. (Updated: April 1,
2011)
- Marky Ramone and Michale Graves (ex-Misfits etc.) recorded new song If
And When and as a Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg put it to iTunes on March
4th, 2011. You can download it
here if you has iTunes. It doesn't make any sense to release song
only via iTunes. Many people don't have iTunes or doesn't want to
install it. I couldn't find song from Marky's or Michale's sites or
Amazon.com.
If And When is three minutes long, middle tempo song, and is typical to
Michale's solo stuff. Not so close to classic Ramones style and maybe it
is good Marky and Michale are creating their own path now.
Michale also wrote lot material to The Misfits' albums
in 90's. He was only 20 years old when he joined Misfits in 1995.
Michale Graves said studio version of If And When debuted on his show Radio Deadly Show,
and features Marky and Michale. So there are no other musicians on
it. Michale has played If And When in his acoustic solo performances,
like it is said it was brand new tune when he played it at live in one
radio show in April 2010.
Earlier Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg has released When We Were Angels,
in January 2010. Also they created animated video of it (June 2010).
When We Were
Angels is new version of song which
Michale Graves has released in his Illusions album in 2007. (Updated:
March 20, 2011).
- December 22, 2010 was announced Ramones being among the recipients
named
of the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Awards. The Ramones
received Grammy Awards for lifetime achievement during an
invitation-only ceremony February 12, 2011, the night before the 53rd
annual Grammy Awards.
Only five Grammys were given out to the Ramones members: to Tommy
Ramone, Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone and Marky Ramone.
So CJ Ramone and Richie Ramone (and Clem Burke aka Elvis Ramone who
attended event)
were
not recipients of Grammys Awards, nor were they recognized by the Grammy
Industry. Grammy Industry gave awards to the early members of the band.
In Grammy Awards days, CJ Ramone had shows in Paraguay and Argentina:
February 10-12. Dee Dee's wife Barbara Zampini not attended event, not
sure why. Tommy Ramone thanked CJ and John Cafiero had a mention of
Barbara. That was great. Read more information and read speeches by
Ramones
members and their families here. (Updated: February 27,
2011).
- Marky Ramone's twin brother Fred Bell have a new band Taost. His
bandmate Dwayne C. wrote me they finished their three songs debut, and
the songs can be heard at their site http://www.taosttheband.com.
And as a great bonus, Dwayne told how Marky Ramone stopped by on January
1, 2011,
and recorded a great drum track for their song Take Me Home. They are
finalizing it now. Three song debut will be available soon.
In September 2010, they had a radio premier at Marky's
radio show Marky Ramone's Punk Rock Blitzkrieg. Marky did play their
song Talkin About Me. Talkin About Me is written by Fred Bell and you
can listen it on Youtube here. Some
of you Ramones fans might remember Marky's old band Marky Ramone And
The Intruders song Telephone Love what is written by both brothers:
Marky and Fred. Telephone Love is in Marky Ramone And
The Intruders debut
album (1996). Group also released Coward With A Gun single and
another album The Answer
To Your Problems (1999).
You can listen Marky Ramone's Punk Rock Blitzkrieg on Sirius
Satellite Radio channel 28. You can listen it nowadays also on XM Satellite
Radio's channel 52. Show runs every Tuesday at 5PM (West coast time
in the USA) and at 8PM (East coast time in the USA). Show re-plays 5
hours after the original airing again on XM. (Updated: January 25,
2011)
- The Indie
Entertainment Summit is a four day entertainment summit and
festival in Los Angeles, CA, USA in August 5-8, 2015. It has in
different venues seminars,
workshops, shows etc. Organizers have revealed that they will induct
Lemmy Kilmister and Motorhead, Slash, Ramones and the Runaways during
the IES Honors ceremony saluting rock's trailblazers. The IES Honors
will also induct the Ramones in honor of their 40th anniversary
(even Ramones' 40th year was in 1974) and Richie Ramone will lead an
all-star jam with special guests at the event. IES staff informed me
this: "This (Richie's all star jam) is not a show open to
the public. Registered Attendees will have this info. How to Register
for this conference, including this year's Rock Honors -> IESfest.com or
818-505-9537. This event is part of the music conference." (July 29,
2015)
- Richie Ramone will play with his band in a mini festival at Backbooth,
Orlando, FL, USA on March 21, 2015. Also The Queers, The Dwarves and
Atom Age will play that night.
In early March, 2015, I got confirmation that Richie Ramone will
play with his band in Camden Rocks festival in London, United Kingdom,
UK on May 30, 2015. Camden Rocks is a city festival where are
shows in around twenty venues in Camden Town. It is not confirmed which
is a club where Richie Ramone will play along with his band members
Clare
Noizee, Alex Kane and Ben Wah Reagan. Some confirmed bands in Camden
Rocks festival are Ginger Wildheart, The Dictators NYC, Anti-Nowhere
League, Funeral For A Friend and Black Spiders. See more details
of Camden Rocks
here.
See more details of Richie's appearances
here. (March 9, 2015)
- Second video of Richie Ramone's debut
solo album Entitled is of title track. It was published in November
30, 2014. See Entitled video
here. Video is composed from many different scenes. It has parts of
Richie, Clare MissTake, Alex Kane and Ben Wah Reagan playing at live
and also hanging in a club, of Richie driving a car in Los Angeles,
him singing in a studio, him doing tricks with a torch etc. etc.
Video is directed by Steve Appleford and edited by Brett Smith.
Cinematography is by Appleford. Appleford did main camera
recordings with Mary Ignatova who was also assistant director. (Updated:
February 14, 2015)
- Richie Ramone is guest also this year in NAMM's (The National
Association Of Music Merchants) event at Anaheim Convention Center in
Anaheim, CA, USA. NAMM is in Anaheim on January 22-25, 2015, and Richie
appears there in a booth of Canadian company
Los Cabos
Drumsticks on January 24, 2015. Richie uses Los Cabos Drumsticks
and he is doing signing at least at 1-2PM.
Essentially NAMM is a huge trade show for musical performance equipment.
(January 8, 2015)
- Richie Ramone does his first European tour ever in November-December,
2014. At first it was going to be in June, 2014, and I had on my site
seven confirmed dates. Dates were in Germany (Oberhausen, Dresden,
Berlin), UK (Bristol, Birmingham, Glasgow) and
Austria (Graz) in June, 2014. Richie sent me a message and told they
will be in Europe for 3 weeks. That was a great news.
BUT IN mid-April dates were canceled... But tour was only
postponed and now it happens in November-December 2014.
See live dates
here. There are dates in Spain, Italy, Austria, France and UK.
Richie is drummer-singer but he also comes to front of stage to sing
few songs and then rhythm guitarist Ben Wah Reagan is drummer.
In his band are also bassist Clare Misstake/ Noizee and Alex Kane.
Set list has around 25 songs. I listed 13 songs to Clare Noizee,
if they are still in a set list as they were in few shows in the USA.
12 of 13 still is in a list. You will hear for example these at live by
Richie, Clare, Ben and Alex:
* From Richie Ramone's Entitled
solo album you will hear for example: Criminal, Entitled and
Forgotten Years.
* Classic Ramones songs: Blitzkrieg Bop, Somebody Put Something In My
Drink, I Just Want To Have Something To Do, Cretin Hop and Wart Hog.
* You will also hear now at live songs Ramones never or rarely played
at live: Smash You, (You) Can't
Say Anything Nice, I'm Not Jesus and I Know Better Now.
(Updated: November 28, 2014)
- Richie Ramone wrote he will do with his band shows in Europe
also in April, 2015. Check out dates of his first European tour ever in
here (November-December 2014). (November 3, 2014)
- Richie will release a new single / music video in November, 2014,
it is the title track from his debut solo album Entitled. First single
and video was Criminal. Read more
of his Entitled album here. (October 9, 2014)
- Richie Ramone will be doing radio interview with Nikki Palomino in her
DAZED program on whatever68radio.com.
Interview is in August 25, 2014 at 10PM EST/ 9PM CST/ 7PM PST.
Richie will talk about event named CBGB
Festival
Presents: A 40th Remembrance &
Salute To Tommy Ramone. It was at The Bowery Electric in New York,
USA on August 16, 2014. Richie did not attend this event, but he will
speak in this radio interview with NYC's LP designer Spencer Drate.
(August 24, 2014)
- May 12, 2014, Richie Ramone will be talking with May Pang and Cynthia
Neilson, in the World Blog Talk Radio's Dinner Specials in association
with Gary Rachac. So show is coming Monday May 12th, starting 12PM in
New York's, USA, timezone and 9AM in in Los Angeles', USA, timezone.
Click here to go
to radio site. (May 7, 2014)
- Richie Ramone is on the road, punkrocking first extensive tour after
he returned
back to publicity. Richie Ramone's first solo album
Entitled was released by DC-Jam Records in October 2013. Tour in
North America is: January 29-March 12, 2014. See all dates here.
Final show is at Whisky A Go Go in Los
Angeles, CA, USA.
Line-up is:
* Richie Ramone: drums and vocals.
* Ben Wah Reagan: rhythm guitar and drums.
* Clare Misstake: bass (aka known as Clare Noizee and Clare
Pproduct).
* Alex Kane: guitar.
Alex Kane plays in this tour instead of Tommy Bolan.
I asked from Clare Misstake if he can list some songs what they are
played now at
live. Richie, Ben, Clare and Alex has in their live-set for
example...
Songs what Ramones recorded: Elevator Operator, (You) Can't Say Anything
Nice,
Blitzkrieg Bop, Cretin Hop, Loudmouth, I Just Want To Have Something To
Do, Smash
You, I Know Better Now and Somebody Put Something In My Drink.
Of those songs Somebody Put Something In My Drink, I Know Better Now and
Smash You
were also recorded to Richie Ramone's Entitled. From Entitled
Richie, Ben, Clare and Alex are played also for example
Criminal, Entitled, Take My Hand, Better Than Me and Forgotten Years.
Ramones (probably) never played at live Elevator Operator, Smash You and
(You) Can't
Say Anything Nice. Elevator Operator is a demo song, originally Smash
You was
included in 7'/ 12' singles/maxis in 1985 and originally (You) Can't Say
Anything
Nice was included in 12' maxi in 1986. Those are written by Richie
Ramone. (Updated:
February 8, 2014)
- Criminal was first single of Richie Ramone's debut solo album
Entitled.
Album was published in October, 2013, and single in summer of 2013.
Criminal video got published in February, 2014. Video is created
greatly with Richie
Ramone's dark style and was good that it was filmed solely in black and
white, includes nearly-nude makeout sessions, police cars, shootouts,
theft etc. It is always great to see video what really has a
story. Too many bands are doing live promo videos nowadays.
Criminal is directed by Steve Hanft. Richie Ramone has told to
Billboard of Hanft:
"As a director, he knew how to get the best performance out of me and
make things fun and interesting. I wanted to shoot the video in a dusty
location and keep it creepy in a way. So shooting in black and white
seemed the way to go to give it that Hitchcock feel. It took only two
days to shoot all the footage in and around Los Angeles.", Richie
said.
Criminal is produced by Darron Hemann, Doreen
Sanchez and Ashley-Martin Dunn. With Richie Ramone on video are playing
Clare Misstake (bass), Ben Wah Reagan (guitar) and Tommy Bolan (guitar).
Other in cast: kid is Nikita Tsarev, girl Bonnie
Lawrence, dope dealer J-Sun, preacher Liam Gowing and outlaw's are Kurt
Stiernelof, Ross Harris and Sasha Fuentes.
See video here.
(February 8, 2014)
- Richie Ramone started to do co-operation with designer and musician
Marc Vachon (from Los Angeles, USA) who is best known for his
handpainted leather jackets, custom hats etc. Vachon's clients include
Steven
Tyler (Aerosmith), Slash (ex-Guns N'Roses) and Scott Weiland (Stone
Temple Pilots, ex-Velvet Revolver). Marc Vachon created to Richie
Ramone really great looking clothes, like Richie Ramone zipper hoodie
which separated Richie Ramone logo patch is sewed to hoodie and contains
hand studded hood and pockets (silver nickel studs). That is best
looking Ramones hoodie I have ever seen. Also Richie Ramone's logo
patch is sewed to shirts and leather jackets etc. See
Richie Ramone items here. (November 4, 2013)
- World premier of Richie Ramone's new album Entitled,...
Richie Ramone will be Stig Stench's live special guest on October 10,
2013, listen it here.
Program is 8-11PM (Texas, USA timezone).
Listen to Stenchradio.com on your Iphone, Androd, Ipad etc.
by clicking
here.(October 9, 2013)
- You can read most extensive information of Richie Ramone's debut album
on this
URL on my page, CD and album versions got published on October
8, 2013.
In July, 2013, Richie Ramone informed release date of his debut solo
album Entitled.
- Things are looking real good now for the album Entitled. Sorry it has
taken so long but I want this to go smooth and do what's best for all my
fans, Richie Ramone wrote.
First announced release date was September 7, 2013, but it got
changed as Richie Ramone wrote to me in June 19, 2013. In July 2nd
was announced that DC-Jam Records signed
Richie Ramone. Entitled did hit stores worldwide on October 8, 2013.
July 17, 2013, Richie told in Rob Russo's interview
Entitled will be released in CD and LP format.
Order copy of
Entitled
CD from Amazon.com here or buy
Entitled
CD from Amazon.co.uk here
Digital version was added to listings on
Amazon.co.uk
(order digital version of album here) and
Amazon.com
(order it here)
in July, 2013, with a release date: September 17, 2013. I was wondering
that but Richie's manager Doreen Sanchez confirmed to me digital
version of Entitled is really out on September 17, 2013. And it was.
And in August, 2013, was given a great chance for fans: pre-order Richie
Ramone's Entitled LP on white vinyl and you get a limited edition
autographed copy featuring the bonus track, new version of Ramones
classic (written by Richie Ramone) Somebody Put Something In My
Drink.
Order white vinyl from Interpunk.com
or from shopradiocast
or in Europe from HHV.de.
As a side note, order at the same time from Interpunk also my books:
3rd and 1st
and 2nd.
Album was mixed in Mark Needham's studio. Needham has worked before for
example with Blondie, The Killers, Sick Puppies and Chris Isaak. Regular
version of LP and CD has 12 songs, including new versions of Ramones
songs I Know Better Now, Smash You, I'm Not Jesus and Humandkind.
In early August Richie Ramone confirmed to me that with him only
Tommy Bolan (all guitars) and Jiro Okabe (bass guitar) played on
the recording of Entitled. Live And Loud Radio's
The Ramone Family Retrospective is a three hour Ramones Family
radio show. They debuted from Entitled songs Smash You and Take My Hand
already in Wednesday January 9, 2013.
And in June 19, 2013, LiveAndLoudRadio world
premiere Richie Ramone's new version of Somebody Put Something
In My Drink, which will be exclusively available only on the vinyl as
you readed above. (Updated: October 10, 2013)
- You has chance to meet Richie Ramone in person in September 14th,
2013, at the Rock N' Roll Autograph Show at The Westin Los
Angeles Airport Hotel, Grand Ballroom 5400 West Century Boulevard, Los
Angeles, California, USA.
Rock N' Roll Autograph Show feature over 80 artists signing autographs,
two parties, All-Star Band performances etc. All in the name of paying
it forward in benefit of St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital.
Read more details here
and buy tickets here.
General admission tickets for Saturday (14th) or Sunday are $20 per
person in advance online and $25 per person at the door. A discounted
two-day pass is available for $30 per person in advance online or $35
per person at the door. VIP Passes are $150 per person in advance
online or $200 per person at the door. Individual autographs will be
subject to additional charges per each artist's discretion.
So Richie Ramone is at the event on September 14. Ticket includes
admission 9AM-5PM. I don't know more specific time of Richie's
schedules. (September 11, 2013)
- Richie Ramone wrote to me that he sang with The Queers one song at The
Echo in Los Angeles, USA on September 29, 2013. Song was Somebody Put
Something In My Drink, written by Richie Ramone to Ramones album Animal
Boy (1986).
Luckily I saw someone has recorded Richie's appearance with The Queers
and sound and video quality are great. Check out it here on
Youtube.
Richie's appearance is really
strong and he pay attention to audience nicely as well. Richie is in a
good shape and voice is individual. And certainly in a strong shape is
as well The Queers whom most of you Ramones
fans knows. If not, check out their albums like Move Back Home (1995)
and Pleasant Screams (2002). As well they are covered Ramones' album
Rocket To Russia in 1994. (September 30, 2013).
- I asked from Richie Ramone if he wants to write something of Arturo
Vega as a memorial text. It is now two weeks since we lost Arturo Vega.
Read more below of Arturo or read
more of Arturo here. I will ask from Tommy and CJ if they want
to write something as well of Arturo "Arty" Vega.
Richie Ramone wrote: "Arty was an amazing designer not only with his
artwork, but the way he did the lighting for all our live shows. He
knew every beat of every song and his style of lighting the stage was
amazing. He was the same guy everyday with no ups and downs and truly
enjoyed life. If you needed someone to talk to, Arturo was the man who
made you feel better about yourself. You will be truly missed my friend
but we do have a lot of memories with which to remember you by. Peace
and love..., Richie Ramone".
Thanks Richie for writing honest and lovely words of Arturo. (June 20,
2013)
- Richie Ramone will be in attendance on June 16th, 2013, in
Quintessential Pro
Wrestling event at The Monrovia Masonic Center, 204 West Foothill
Blvd., Monrovia, CA 91016, USA. Richie does "meet and greet" appearance.
See website of event
here. (June 11, 2013)
- Richie Ramone joins commercial free radio called Live And Loud Radio
(homepage: www.liveandloudradio.com) on
March 27, 2013. Richie Ramone speak of his upcoming CD titled Entitled
and tour etc. at The Ramone Family Retrospective program. Host Rob
Russo also plays songs from Richie's CD. The Ramone Family
Retrospective program run every Wednesday at 4PM-7PM. Program is USA
eastern standard time (NYC time). (March 26, 2013)
- The Gobshites are a Celtic punk band from Boston MA, USA. Formed in
2002 by Peter Walsh (also known of Meat Depressed etc.). The Gobshites
had really exciting chance to do recordings with Richie Ramone.
Richie and The Gobshites were in Dublin, Ireland, and recorded new CD
on November 25-27, 2011. I (Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone) was there as well.
See photos and read
my report here.
First estimated time to put out CD was March 2012, second September
2012..., and now Peter Walsh confirmed me new information. He wrote in
February 4, 2013:
- CD will for sure be out by 1/2 way to Saint Patrick's Day, September
17th, 2013. CD is going to have around 14-16 songs. There will be extra
bonus EP
for those who pre-paid (read below of Kickstarter). Bonus EP has no
Richie songs though, explained Walsh.
They are calling CD with a title: The Whistle Before The Snap.
Richie Ramone was on drums in Dublin. Sadly bassist Cait O'Riordan
(Pogues 1983-86 and Elvis Costello 1986-2002) had to cancel this studio
session. The Gobshites asked help from the Ramones, Gobshites, Pogues
fans etc., because they needed more money to get to Ireland. Fans had
chance to support this project.
Through project
site was chance for example with 25 US$ to get a hard copy of full
length CD + digital download + name listed in the thank you section of
the CD. With 100 US$ you got all those, signed limited edition
poster and chance to sing a mutually-agreeable song on stage with The
Gobshites. Funding ended Nov 04, 2011, 11:59pm EDT. They got to the
goal and with a help of 62 people funding was succesful -> 5000 US$.
You can get a feeling of The Gobshites music by listening their live
version of Somebody Put
Something In My Drink. As
you can see and hear, they has many connections also for Tommy Ramone's
and Claudia Tienan's duo Uncle
Monk. And here
you can see Tommy Ramone being
their guest singer!
Tommy Ramone wrote me few comments in October 21, 2011.
- Glad to hear that the Gobshites are touring Ireland, they are a great
bunch of guys and are a fine band. It should
really rock with Richie Ramone and Cait O'Riordan. Ireland is a
wonderful country to tour and the audiences are
terrific, wrote Tommy Ramone.
Uncle Monk did ten shows in Ireland in April-May, 2011.
My report of The Gobshites with Richie in
Dublin
is here. (Updated: January 8, 2013)
- Richie Ramone has worked with his solo album and it is coming out in
early 2013. Richie Ramone wrote in November, 2012: "Just heading out to
the studio to put
the finishing touch on my album. It will be released early next year
and I can't wait. The invasion will continue in 2013."
Album is being mixed by Mark Needham. Needham has worked before for
example with Blondie, The Killers, Sick Puppies and Chris Isaak.
And Richie will be touring in 2013 as Richie wrote in December 31, 2012:
"My world tour to support my album will start in April, 2013"
(Updated: January 8, 2013)
- Unfortunately Richie Ramone's shows in South America in August, 2012,
were postponed to a later date due to problems caused by United
States booking agent Chuck Bernal of Artists Worldwide. Richie was very
disappointed.
Shows were rescheduled and Richie Ramone played eight shows in South
America in October, 2012. Line-up: Richie Ramone (drums and lead
vocals), Ben Wah Reagan (hythm guitar and drums), Jiro Okabe (bass &
vocals) and Tommy Bolan (lead guitar and vocals). See more of
dates here. And see and read review by Helio Volpato of Richie's
show in Sao Paulo. (Updated: October 5, 2012)
- July 13, 2012, is organised Mosrite 60th Anniversary event at NAMM,
Center Stage, Nashville, TN, USA. Mosrite 60th Anniversary Super Live/
Rock n Roll Bash Summer '12 show is featuring Richie Ramone Band,
CJ Ramone Band, The Ventures' guitarist
Nokie Edwards, Brent Mason (Grammy Award Winner and 12 time ACM
Guitarist of the Year), country artist Brian Lonbeck etc. Only 600
pre-sold tickets will be issued! Buy ticket
here.
With Richie Ramone will be playing for example Jiro Okabe.
With CJ Ramone are playing drummer Michael Stamberg (played with CJ few
years now) and Dez Cadena who is known of legendary bands like Black
Flag and The Misfits, also of Osaka Popstar etc. Richie Ramone Band and
CJ Ramone Band will both play apx. 40 minutes long sets.
Here are some background information of Mosrite guitars and why
Mosrite has so special place in the Ramones history. Semie Moseley
(1935-1992) was the founder of Mosrite guitars. He was only 17
years old in 1952, when the first Mosrite was built. Semie built his
first guitar in a metal shed in Bakersfield, California. By 1963, Semie
and his brother Andy Moseley, forged one of the major guitar companies
of the 60's. The quality and craftsmanship of the Mosrite was second to
none.
Johnny Ramone had inspired many famous musicians to buy and play Mosrite
guitars or similar ones. And of course he has influenced people to start
playing in general. As Tommy Ramone explains in his interviews in my
book Ramones:
Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Johnny used to be first a bass guitar
player. He stopped playing music and he sold his instruments and
everything. Tommy encouraged Johnny to buy an instrument and play music
again. Johnny bought his first guitar from Manny's Guitar Store on 48th
street in NYC in early 1974. He paid around 50 dollars for his Mosrite.
First one was a blue Mosrite Ventures II. It was stolen and he bought
another blue one. These two were the same model than the brown Ventures
II he bought later etc. etc.
When I and my good friend Randy Wisebrod entered producer Daniel Rey's
apartment on May 20, 2003, to do an interview, there was Johnny's white
Mosrite that he had used since 1977 until he retired in 1996. It was
cool moment to handle it.
Also made and featured by Mosrite are the Johnny Ramone Signature Model
and standard model. See more infos of
it here. (Updated: July 12, 2012)
- Richie Ramone recorded as a guest EP titled Rebel 67 (5 songs)
together with
Canadian
punk band The Rock N Roll Rats. EP comes out as 12' vinyl only, with a
free download
card for MP3s in the sleeve. EP comes out later in 2012. See photos and
read more
information by reading
my interview with The Rock N Roll Rats singer-guitarist Johnny
Forgotten.
(Updated: June 13, 2012).
- Release date of Joey Ramone's second solo album has delayed many
times, and many years..
BUT IN FEBRUARY 2012 things got ready. Album is titled ...Ya Know?
Release date was told to be then May 15, 2012, but it got changed and in
March 20 got confirmed new release date May 22.
Title is named after the way Joey used to end every sentence in his
Queens drawl..
- The highly anticipated 2nd solo LP from Joey Ramone is going to be
released May 22nd, 2012, by BMG Rights Management, preceded by the
single Rock And Roll Is The Answer, with There's Got To Be More To
Life, which will be available
as 7' vinyl single on Record Store Day, April 21st, 2012, said
Joey's brother Mickey Leigh.
RollingStone magazine published B side There's Got
To Be More To Life on
their site, April 20, 2012.
Fastest Ramones drummer Richie Ramone will sign copies of 7" at
Permanent Records in LA on April 21, 2012.
Leigh explained the tracks were drawn from a cache of demos and
unreleased recordings that Joey had cut at various times during the last
decade and a half of his life.
- Album was going to have 17 songs on two 12' 180 gram audiophile vinyl,
double gatefold cover. Digital download & CD available May 22 2012,
confirmed news producer Ed Stasium.
- Because of a last minute glich, two songs had to be cut off, said
Leigh on March 20, 2012.
So album has 15 songs.
The tracks are songs that Joey had written, several co-written with Dee
Dee Ramone and one with Ramones producer Daniel Rey. Album will have 17
songs.
Musicians playing in this album include Richie Ramone, Mickey Leigh,
Andy Shernoff (Dictators etc.), Little Steven (Steven Van Zandt) (Bruce
Springteen's E Street Band etc.), Richie Stotts (The Plasmatics etc.),
Joan Jett, Thunderbolt Patterson (Dictators), Bun E. Carlos (Cheap
Trick), Dennis Diken (Smithereens), Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Group),
Holly Beth Vincent...
Read lot
more information on here, see video of single, tracklisting
information etc.
(Updated: April 18, 2012)
- Canadian band Rock N'Roll Rats are recording five song EP titled Rebel
67
with Richie Ramone.
They began recording in January and it is expected to be released in
spring
2012. Rebel 67 will be released on legitimate 12' vinyl with a free
download
card. (March 4, 2012)
- Read interview what Richie Ramone did with Rich Chamberlain in
December. It
got published
in Rhythm Magazine in December, 2011.
Read
interview here. (January 10, 2012)
- Richie Ramone is interviewed on the Church Of Rock radio show on
Sunday December 18, 2011. It is aired from 9PM to 11PM in Pacific Time
in the USA, in Southern Oregon at 106.3FM, and worldwide at www.kzze.com (December
16,
2011)
- Justin SlieOne just sent a message of great radio program.
November 18, 2011, Richie Ramone is on it talking about life with the
Ramones what is ahead for him in 2012.
- We laugh cut some jokes and talk about punk when it was a lifestyle
not a gimmic. We also have some great bands on the show, so don t miss
me on http://www.podunkradio.com at 8pm
Eastern time (USA). Here you can listen Richie show afterwards as well
http://prpradio.wordpress.com,
wrote guy behind of Justin SlieOne.
Richie's interview starts in around 48 minutes and lasts around 33
minutes.
Songs he has really picked well: in addition to Ramones songs Pinhead,
Suzy Is A Headbanger and Somebody Put Something In My Drink he plays
songs like Screeching Weasel: Carnival Of Schadenfreude, The Queers:
Blabbermouth, The Sheckies: Girls With Boyfriends and Into The Void:
Rifts. (Updated: November 18, 2011)
- Dart Head Mike has radio show and Episode 28 is called An Evening with
The Gobshites. The Gobshites are a Celtic punk band from Boston MA USA.
Dart Head Mike played their wellknown and rare songs, and songs that
will be on their next album which is going to be recorded in Ireland
with Richie Ramone. And with Cait O'Riordan of The Pogues. Richie Ramone
calls to this radio show after half an hour of listening.
Listen
it here.
Here are some parts typed up. Gaston Sanchez grammar checked
these.
Thanks.
DART HEAD MIKE: Have you met Cait before?
RICHIE: I definitely met her, I am sure along
the way, here in the states in
the 80's.
PETER WALSH (The Gobshites): Richie and I were
talking about doing Somebody Put
Something In My Drink (Ramones song). It probably won't be on the new
record,
because we already put it on a record. It might me on a compilation, but
I
would like Richie to sing it.
RICHIE: There are a lot of versions of it out
there. That was kind of my
Gobshites thing, when I saw that on Youtube, I said "WOW". It is really
cool
to see when bands take your song and put a twist on it, rather than just
covering it same way because that is boring. I hear metal bands covering
it
etc., all kind of versions, this is really cool etc. I hope we can do a
gig
while I am out there (Ireland). I think it would be a lot of fun.
RICHIE: I am also doing my own project, finishing
up writing the songs and I
want to do a little tour around the world for the fans. I want to
release a
new EP next year (2012) with new versions of six songs I wrote to the
Ramones. I want to do them my way. (Updated: November 6,
2011)
- Dart Head Mike did an radio interview with Richie Ramone, Mike
interviewed Richie in Episode 28 called An Evening with The Gobshites.
One subject Richie explained was about Tommy Mills, of whom music Richie
said is kind of 60's music meets 90's music. They are gonna tour
together.
I asked more details and Richie mailed me in November 4, 2011:
- I really loved this kid and his music was something I had to play. His
album
is going to be released Thankgsgiving. It is a power trio and Tommy
Mills
called me about doing the tour. I did not play on the record. I am going
to put
my tour off for a couple months. I am starting a tour December 31st,
2011,
Tacoma, Washington (USA), with Tommy Mills and The Jade Amenity. We are
going
to do the States first and then head over to Europe, Richie Ramone
explains. See Richie's
show section here. (Updated: November 6, 2011)
- Also this year, 2011, was organised Johnny Ramone / Dee Dee Ramone /
Ramones
memorial event at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, CA, USA
on October
1st, 2011. This was 7th memorial event.
This outdoor event was presented by Johnny's wife Linda Ramone and
Johnny Ramone Army Chief Of
Staff John Cafiero. Tommy Ramone was only Ramones member who attended
event. So this was a great chance to meet
Tommy and also see from big video screen Tommy playing with Johnny, Joey
and Dee Dee on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert (television
show) on August 9, 1977. Show was screened in it's entirety.
- The Johnny Tribute went well as usual. It was great to see the fans
again and we had a good time watching the
Don Kirshner show, I have not seen it in it's entirety in decades -- it
is quite a good show!, wrote Tommy Ramone
to me. RichieRamone.com & Ramones Forever were
collaborating
and you had chance to get free signed giveaways autographed by Richie in
this
event. Read here more
information, review written by
Joe and Deb Lunardon, and see photos taken by them. (Updated:
October 27, 2011).
- Four days before Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2011, Richie Ramone will
also be sitting in with his brother Lenny's band, The Shots (rock'N'roll
firefighting bagpipers http://www.myspace.com/shotsband)
on the main stage of BayFest 2011 on Sunday, May 15, at 2:30PM.
Address is Emmons Ave & East 27th Street, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn,
NY. And here you can find homepage of BayFest 2011 with
information and directions how to get to the festival. BayFest is
Brooklyn's largest waterfront event and NYC's only vendor-free street
fair. Now in our 20th year and always completely free.
In addition to Shots and Richie Ramone, BayFest will feature Beatles
tribute band Ticket2Ride, Sheepshead bay son Robert Santa,
traditional American folk musicians Stout, Elisa Peimer, The Xylopholks,
Sons Of Jove etc. etc.. Diane Bauman will kick off the day with the
National Anthem. (May 11,
2011)
- Joey Ramone's Birthday Bash, 60th birthday celebration is on May 19,
2011. Event is again at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, not at
Bowery Ballroom what was a second choice. Joey's brother Mickey
confirmed it.
We fans will have meeting (my idea) at place called Nevada Smiths,
starting around 4.30PM. Nevada Smiths is only three blocks away from
Irving Plaza. Address is: 74th Third Avenue (between 11th & 12th).
Every fan is welcome. Ramones' fan Andy Cintron tell it's a football
pub during the weekends but at night it's music and the main bartender
Johnny Holmes is a HUGE Ramones fan! Visit Nevada Smiths
homepage. I will have copies of my Ramones books
with me and also Hannu Jokinen of Woimasointu Records will bring copies
of solo singles by Ramones members and Dee Dee's Hop Around LP he has
released.
Joey Ramone Birthday Bash is a memory event to our angel, and this is
11th time it is organised. Tickets got sale in early March, you
can buy tickets here. Price through Live Nation is US$
35.25.
"Joey Ramone all stars" set include musicians Tommy Ramone, Richie
Ramone, Al Maddy, Andy Shernoff (The Dictators), Richie Stotts (The
Plasmatics), Ali McMordie (Stiff Little Fingers), Ed Stasium, Mickey
Leigh, Walt Stack (The Bullys), George Tabb and Tush & Snooky (Sick
F*cks) are confirmed to do perform at "Joey Ramone's Friends" set.
There were some schedule changes and because of it Andy Hilfiger and
Holly Beth Vincent won't do appearances as was planned.
Mickey wrote to me in May 9th, set will include four songs
from the upcoming 2nd Joey Ramone solo album.
Richard Lloyd will do his set. Mickey had negotiated also with
Hugh Cornwell best known for being the vocalist and guitarist for the
The Stranglers from 1974 to 1990. By 1977 The Stranglers had secured a
contract with the United Artists Records, they went on to become the
highest selling band to emerge from the UK punk scene, with numerous hit
singles and record album.
The Ramones played with The Stranglers at The Roundhouse, London, UK in
1977. Hugh has recorded many solos as well.
- Hugh Cornwell will be performing the classics that made that band
legendary. Joining Hugh on drums is Elvis Ramone also, well known as
Clem Burke of Blondie. On bass is Fish. Also will play Black 47, a
revered NYC band Joey went to see frequently, and had even
hoped to produce a record for, explains Mickey.
Also are announced to play bands The Rattlers (Mickey's), Sunday
Masquerade and The Indecent.
I do mention just in case, The Indecent is different band than The
Independents who has played many times before at the Joey Ramone
Birthday Bash (and whom members Evil and Willy B were Joey's really
close friends).
MC's: Steve Craig, Matt Pinfield and John Holmstrom.
I (Jari-Pekka) will celebrate my birthday 11th time at Joey's Birthday
Bash. Joey and
I share same birthday (May 19).
Read my previous picture-story reports: here
is from 2010 and here
is from 2009. (Updated: May 9, 2011)
- Richie Ramone is excited to announce the launch of the official
Richie Ramone store. Richie handpicks everything sold via his store
and does not use any third parties. Richie, his webmaster Gaston
Sanchez etc. will update store with new items as much as possible to
keep you geared with the latest Richie Ramone memorabilia. Click here
to visit
Richie's
homepage and Ebay
Store. There are for example drum sticks and signed photos. I have
photographed that live photo of Richie at Joey Ramone Birthday Bash.
(January 8, 2011)
- Italian band The Manges was formed already more than 20 years ago.
Italian label Striped Records will publish 7'
split single of CJ Ramone
and The Manges. Vinyl single has two covers of 60's classic surf music.
Surfer Girl by the Beach Boys is covered by CJ Ramone featuring The
Manges. Andrea Manges sing on Surfer Girl. Guitarist on it is Josh
Blackway of The Huntingtons. Another song King Of The
Surf by the Trashmen is covered by The Manges featuring CJ Ramone.
Andrea told that CJ sing the chorus on it.
Cover art is by John Holmstrom. Holmstrom is the one who was main man
behind of creating Punk magazine in 1975. Read more of
him here. Striped Records says expected release date of 7' is
November 30, 2015. It is black vinyl only. (Updated: November 17,
2015)
- CJ Ramone will celebrate his 50th birthday with a Birthday Bash to
Benefit For Autism Speaks on October 3, 2015, at 89 North in Patchogue,
NY, USA. Patchogue is approximately 60 miles (100 km) east of Manhattan.
There will be food from Vinnie's Mulberry Street of Bay Shore, DJ
Jukebox Jodi will be spinning tunes plus Raffles, 50/50, door prizes
and of course Live Music. CJ will play as well as special guests:
Huntingtons, Joe Rock and The All Stars and Chronicles 4. Tickets are
only $20 at the door.
Next day, October 4, CJ Ramone again will participate Walk Now For
Autism Speaks event, he has Team CJ Ramone. More details
here. (September 29, 2015)
- Before starts CJ Ramone's (Band) and Shonen Knife's tour in the USA in
June 6, will CJ Ramone play a special show at the Sinclair's Pub in
West Babylon, NY, USA on June 5, 2015. His special guests are Ian
Fowles (Eagle "Bones" Falconhawk) and Rickey Fitness from The Aquabats.
Also are appearing for example Drink Fight Thugs, Enemy Of The State and
Acid Boy. (May 31, 2015)
- Joey Ramone passed away on April 15, 2001. After that is yearly
organized Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. It is event where different
musicians are playing in a honor of Joey and also we has heard many
speeches. Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh confirmed to me in January
9, 2015, that
there will be Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2015 in May 19. This is 15th
Joey Ramone Birthday Bash.
CJ Ramone, Barb Wire Dolls and The Independents will be headlining the
Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2015. I asked from CJ Ramone with who he will
play.
- It will be Walt Stack from The Bullys on guitar and Joe Rizzo from The
Waldos on drums, CJ messaged me.
Event is at The Studio at Webster Hall. Ticket is 30 US$ and you
can buy it from here.
As well at the Bash are playing The Independents, Andy
Shernoff (ex-Dictators etc.), Jiro Okabe, Glen Matlock (ex-Sex Pistols
etc.), George Tabb (ex-Furious George), Mickey Leigh's band STOP, Sic
F*cks, The Serotones, David Peel, Joey Lanz, Walt Stack, Pat Carpent...
Hosts are John Holmstrom of PUNK Magazine, Peter Crowley, Stig Stench,
Peter Aschner and Debra "Raffles" Trizzini. (Updated: April 5,
2015)
- CJ Ramone and his band has 16 shows long tour in the USA in June,
2015. CJ promote with his band his latest
album Last Chance To Dance that was released by Fat Wreck Chords.
Second band in this tour is Shonen Knife. Many old-school Ramones fans
knows Shonen Knife. Shonen Knife is a Japanese pop-punk
group and in 1998 Joey Ramone named Shonen Knife as Osaka Ramones.
Shonen Knife
celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2011 and released a thirteen song
album titled Osaka Ramones: A Tribute to The Ramones. Read more
of it here. Their latest album is Overdrive and is published by Good Charamel
Records. (March 14, 2015)
- East End Disability
Association (EEDA) is non-profit organization
that provides supports and services for people with developmental
disabilities. EEDA had a annual gala on March 6, 2015, and CJ Ramone did
there a special performance of few songs. CJ Ramone was given the parent
advocate award. That was really great honor.
EEDA is located in Riverhead, NY, USA and was organized in 1992 by a
small group of parents who were active advocates
for their children and believed that everyone has the right to fully
participate in quality education, medical, habilitation and recreational
services. (March 13, 2015)
- CJ Ramone got finished with working new album and in mid August, 2014,
we got great news, famous and much-respected Fat Wreck Chords signed CJ
Ramone. Album is titled Last Chance To Dance and it has 12 songs.
Release dates:
- USA: November 24, 2014.
- Europe: December 8, 2014.
Buy Last
Chance to Dance from Amazon or from
Amazon.co.uk
First single Understand Me? got published in September 30, 2014.
Read more
of single here.
Line-up in album is: vocals-bassist CJ Ramone, guitarist-backvocalists
Dan Root and
Steve Soto
from The Adolescents and drummer David Hidalgo Jr. of Social
Distortion. Also some guest appearances, read more
details here.
I write next more background details how project is happened.
CJ Ramone told me (Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone) he was 15 days in a studio
in March, 2014. CJ said in October, 2013, how he is hoping to go to
studio with Ed Stasium who produced some Ramones records and also worked
with Joey Ramone's 2nd posthumous solo album ...Ya
Know?.
But that didn't happen. Executive producer of Last Chance To Dance is
Jiro
Okabe and other producers are Jim Monroe, Steve Soto and CJ Ramone.
CJ wrote to me in March 13, 2014, how he hope to release new album in
June or July, 2014. But as you read before, album got published by
famous Fat Wreck Chords in November-December, 2014. Read more
information of
Last Chance To Dance here. (Updated:
December 24, 2014)
- Understand Me? is a single pick from CJ Ramone's album
Last
Chance to Dance.
Release date was September 30, 2014. Here are some information
what Fat Wreck Chords sent when deal was confirmed and before
single was out:
"The rumors are true. CJ Ramone is joining the Fat fold and we are
thrilled! September, 2014, marks the 25th anniversary of CJ Ramone's
initiation into punk rock's royal "family," and to celebrate, on
September 30th, we'll release the single Understand Me?, a head-bopping
melodic garage-punk screed addressed to an unnamed listener who really
doesn't seem to understand him."
Backing CJ on the single's A-side and full-length (Last Chance To
Dance) are: Dan Root and Steve Soto from The Adolescents and David
Hidalgo Jr. of Social Distortion.
The single's non-album b-side is a cover of Black Flag's Rise
Above, featuring guitar and back vocals by Dez Cadena of Black
Flag and the Misfits. Drummer in Rise Above is John Evicci, whom you can
remember from Bad Chopper etc. and as a Acme Records owner. John Evicci
wrote me story and his memories of recording Rise Above. Read it and
more
information
of single here.
First
pressing of CJ Ramone: Understand Me? single was 415 copies on dark
green color vinyl. Catalog
number is FAT285. (Updated: December 24, 2014)
- Jiro Okabe recorded solo album Return Of The
Kamikazi and CJ Ramone plays on it. See here special
site of CD information.
CJ Ramone travelled to California,
USA on September 29, 2013, to record his parts. Jiro Okabe messaged me
in July 9, 2014.
- I will officially make an album release announcement tomorrow, well
you are the first one to know, July 25. Available at CD Baby, iTunes and
Amazon, wrote Jiro.
Here are some comments Jiro messaged me before of his solo album.
- Steve Soto from Adolescents is on board on my solo album. Recording
with CJ Ramone, Dez Cadena (Black Flag, The Misfits etc.) etc. is
doing really great, wrote Jiro on December 3, 2013.
I asked more details and Jiro Okabe told me following information.
- CJ Ramone played four songs and back-up vocals on five songs. Me and
CJ wrote three songs together. It will be a really kicking ass album my
friend! Cheers!, wrote Jiro Okabe already on December 5, 2013.
Jiro Okabe and CJ Ramone wrote together songs Come And See Me,
Dedication and Baby, Baby, Baby. He plays on them.
- Also CJ played rhythm guitar on track #6 Run Run, Run, Jiro
informed.
Other 10 songs Jiro wrote with Tommy
Bolan.
In addition to Jiro Okabe, CJ Ramone, Steve Soto, Dez Cadena and Tommy
Bolan, there are musicians like Clem Burke ("Elvis Ramone" / Blondie),
Elliot Easton (The Cars), Jonny Two Bags (Social Distortion), Mickey
Leigh (Joey Ramone's brother), Dan
Root, Kerry Marx, Tommy Wells and Dave U Hall. And The Ventures'
guitarist Nokie Edwards.
- Purchasing this CD, will get you two bonus tracks! Look At The World
is track one, which was performed in the major motion picture Lethal
Weapon in 1987.
This version of the song was recorded by Jiro's new Kamikazi' band.
Bonus track two Besame Mucho is featuring Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer
Nokie Edwards (The Ventures).
Few comments of Jiro's background. He played bass on Richie
Ramone's solo
album Entitled and was in Richie's tour line-up in 2012 etc.
He is not working with Richie anymore.
Jiro is also working for Mosrite Guitars. In July, 2012, was organised
Mosrite 60th Anniversary event at
NAMM, Center Stage, Nashville, TN, USA. Mosrite 60th Anniversary Super
Live/ Rock'N'Roll Bash Summer '12 show featured Richie Ramone Band, CJ
Ramone Band, Nokie Edwards, Brent Mason etc. See
here report of that night. (Updated: July 11,
2014)
- I was in the road in USA and Canada in these CJ Ramone's shows: May
17, 2014: Le Pouzza Fest, Les Foufounes Electriques, Montreal, QC.
Canada. And May 18, 2014: Casey's Billiards, Pittsfield, MA, USA.
Le Pouzza Fest was pretty cool. There were 8 venues and 200 bands. You
can read story
and see lot photos of my trip here. Line-up in that tour was:
CJ Ramone: vocals and bass.
Steve Soto: guitar.
Dan Root: guitar.
Michael Wildwood: drums. (May 22, 2014).
- CJ Ramone is like Joey Ramone on it, how much he wants to do charity
shows and support. Now Nassau County Committee Children & Youth Chairman
Yvonne Brunner and CJ Ramone in co-operation with The American Legion
Auxiliary, The National Military Family Association present Operation
Purple Camp For Military Kids.
CJ wrote: "Come see me and comedian Dave Attell at a
benefit for operation camp purple. A free camp for kids whose families
have been affected by the loss, wounding, or PTSD of a parent
(posttraumatic stress disorder). I am learning a bunch of early Ramones
songs for this special show on April 3rd, 2014, at Mulcahy's in
Wantaugh,
New York, USA. I will be doing a special all Ramones set including a
couple even the old timers probably never heard live.", CJ informed.
Show at Mulcahy's is early show. Event is 7-11PM and CJ will do his set
9-10PM. Admission is 60 US$ and include ticket, buffet, mixed drinks,
beer, wine and soda. 100% of the profits benefit Operation Purple
Camp. Website of The
Mulcahy's. Address: 3232 Railroad Avenue, Wantagh New York
11793. (March 26, 2014)
- The Continental's (New York, USA) owner Trigger wrote to me in
November, 2013, about him doing fifth Continental's Rock And Roll
Reunion.
- CJ Ramone, Walter Lure, Lenny Kaye, Jesse Malin, Murphy's Law and the
drummer from Guns N' Roses and many others are playing it!, Trigger
told.
Continental's Rock And Roll Reunion #5 is in January 19, 2014. And yes,
line-up is again amazing.
CJ Ramone Band will play at 9.00, then
Murphy's Law (9.40), Lenny Kaye (10.20), Sea Monster (11.00), The Waldos
(11.40) and Bitch (12.20).
- "Bitch" is a Don Hills Reunion of sorts. It was a legendary night at
Don's club. They have a killer house band and 20 guest vocalists. This
time the theme is AC/DC. I am honored to have this cause Don was such an
amazing guy. His staff and bands are all also connected to my club and
we're all friends and family. I'm hoping this will become part of our
Reunion show every year! Trigger E-mailed me in January 12.
First band on stage is Hammerbrain at 3.00. Also are playing for example
The Independents (4.00), Furious George (4.30), Electric Frankenstein
(5.30), Heap (6.30) and Trigger's All Stars (8.30).
Ticket is only five dollars till 8PM and only ten dollars after. Age
limit 21 years.
Of the Ramones members especially CJ Ramone, Joey Ramone and also Dee
Dee Ramone played a lot at The Continental in late 90's and Joey also
in his final years. Also Dee Dee, Marky Ramone,
and Dee Dee's wife Barbara Zambini recorded
Ramainz:
Live In N.Y.C. there in July 1997.
Joey's very last full-length concert was at The Continental on December
11, 2000.
The Continental closed their doors on September 17, 2006 and CJ Ramone
played that night. At the grand re-opening on October 11, 2006,
owner Trigger said he will not have bands play anymore. Trigger said
that as hisrents and overhead went up each year, it was undoable to
have a punk club in the neighbourhood - the crowd isn't there to support
it. It is great he does these big reunion shows and bands are
supporting him. Whenever you are in New York and East Village, go and
buy some drinks and have fun! (Updated: January 12,
2014).
- Few years ago CJ Ramone told me he is working with a book. He did
mention of its current situation on interview in German radio.
I heard interview and here are few quotes:
"I been working with my memorials. Daily. It is gonna be more about
my entire life, not just my years with the Ramones" (October 15,
2013)
- CJ Ramone again participated Long Island Walk Now For
Autism Speaks event in 2013. Walk Now For Autism Speaks helps to support
to
change the future for all who struggle with autism. Long Island event
was now at Jones Beach State Park, Field 5 on Sunday, October 6, 2013.
Team CJ Ramone was for the first time in event in 2009 and this was
fifth time to Team CJ Ramone. In first event in 2009, CJ's fundraising
goal was 2,500.00 US$. In the end was donated 3075.00 dollars.
Also this time you got to meet CJ and his family etc. CJ Wrote in
advance:
"If you want to donate to Autism Speaks through our team,
then follow the link . If you can't donate, then join
the team and walk with us."
Now in 2013 was donated 399 USdollars. Some people who donated in
2013: Trigger of The
Cntinental (as he has done every year), Paolo di Gaetano (Italy),
Mick Punk and I.
As CJ Ramone has said many times in public, his son Liam is
autistic.
"That is why I do this event. This organization puts a large
percentage of it's budget into reaserching the cause of this disease.",
says CJ.
Read more of Autism
Speaks organization here.
Btw, if you read from my Ramones:
Soundtrack
Of Our Lives book CJ's memories of our Joey, there is a bit also of
it how shortly after the Ramones disbanded, CJ
turned down a chance to audition for Metallica. CJ not wanted to done
it because of his son. This tells something about CJ's heart.
Make an donation
here. (Updated: October 15, 2013)
- CJ Ramone is doing longest tour for years. It starts in
September 26, 2013 from Germany and ends to Italy in
October 19, 2013. Other countries in this tour are:
Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland and Russia. See
more
details here.
Line-up: CJ Ramone: singer-bassist.
Jonny "Two Bags" Wickersham: guitar.
David Hidalgo Jr.: drums.
Jonny and David are best known as a members of Social Distortion.
(Updated: September 1, 2013)
- September 20, 2013 is 5th Annual Benefit Rock To
Cure Cancer, benefit for Lymphoma Research Foundation in honor of Joey
Ramone, at The
Pool House, Bellmore, NY, USA. In addition to CJ Ramone
on September 20, will play bands like Borgo Pass,
iRideSense and Rick & Ted. Admission: 10$ donation at the door. See
more details here.
Since 2009 to present date, Rock To Cure Cancer events have generated
6145 US$ for Lymphoma Research Foundation,
in memory of Joey Ramone. If you are unable to attend this event,
you may make your donation
directly through
this page, note total donations from events will not show up on this
page. (August 23, 2013)
- CJ Ramone's solo album Reconquista got published in June, 2013.
CD and LP has 12 songs and also was chance to buy bonus DVD etc.
See more
details of album here.
Background of album. CJ Ramone had spoke for me of new album since
2009-2010. After Bad
Chopper album (2007), he did some recordings what aren't published
before entering studio in late May / early June, 2012. Those songs got
published really quickly after studio, digitally on June 29, 2012. A
while after album was taken away from iTunes etc. as he started Pledge
Music campaign in December 2012, to get Reconquista solo album released
also as a CD and vinyl. In this campaign was chance to buy for example
handwritten lyric sheet 50 US$, Skype session with CJ 50 US$, his
signature Mosrite bass signed 2 000 US$...
Campaign was going to end in February 3, 2013, but it was lenghtened
one month. Pledge Music campaign reached it's goal 100% in February
5th, 2013. Campaign ended in March 3 and it had 109% of goal, so 9%
extra.
CJ Ramone got Reconquista' CD's in his in hands in June 6, 2013, and
LP's few weeks later in June, 2013. So will say official release of
Reconquista album was June, 2013. CJ explains of line-up:
CJ Ramone: "Steve Soto (The Adolescents) joined on to do guitars and
background vocals. He also co-produced album. We called an old friend,
Jose Medeles (The Breeders) to play drums. We recorded the record at
the Racket Room in Orange County, California (USA) with studio owner
and producer Jim Monroe. And since we were down that way, got in touch
with a bunch of great players that we knew from some great bands, Billy
Zoom from X, Jay Bentley from Bad Religion, Dennis Casey from Flogging
Molly, Dan Root from The Adolescents, Frank Agnew from The Adolescents/
45 Grave, Matt Katz the keyboard player from Blondie, Marcus Hollar
from The Street Dogs, and Jonny "Two Bags" Wickerson and Johnny Maurer
from Social Distortion", CJ Ramone listed.
CD has 12 songs and also was chance to buy bonus DVD etc.
See more
details of album here. (Updated: July 6, 2013)
- Joey Ramone Birthday Bash is organized also this year on May 19,
2013.
Venue is under the Joey Ramone Place sign, at The Bowery Electric, New
York, NY, Bowery, USA.
I was afraid that last year we experienced last Joey Ramone Birthday
Bash. Not too many of Ramones fans will know how big work it is to
organize. There are many things in a background. Anyway, Joey's brother
Mickey Leigh confirmed to me personally Joey Ramone Birthday Bash being
again on Joey's (and mine) birthday, May 19, 2013. Joey turns then
62 years.
- There will be history in the making at this year's Birthday Bash,
Mickey hinted in early 2013 and referred to he and CJ Ramone being on
stage for the first time together. Is that really the making history?
Mickey is regular musician and Richie Ramone and Marky Ramone has also
brothers.
In March, 2013, CJ Ramone confirmed to me that he is playing at the Joey
Ramone Birthday Bash on May 19, 2013. In May 5, 2013, I confirmed if he
plays twice that night: with his band and in Joey Ramone Friends
set.
- Yes, I am scheduled to play at Joey's birthday party with my band and
with the All Star band. I am looking forward to it!, wrote CJ.
In April were announced these artists playing in Joey
Ramone Tribute band: CJ, Walter Lure (The Waldos/ Heartbreakers), Al
Maddy, Andy Shernoff (The Dictators etc.), George Tabb,
John Xavier (The Nightcaps), Walt Stack (The Bullys), Mickey
Leigh...
CJ Ramone will also play a set with his band. Other artists include The
Independents (Joey was kind of The Independents manager and performed
often with them), The Bullys, Ingrid & the Defectors,
Heap and The Sic F*cks.
CJ Ramone will also play a set with his band. Other artists include The
Independents (Joey was kind of The Independents manager and performed
often with them), The Bullys, Ingrid & the Defectors,
Heap and The Sic F*cks.
Buy tickets
here, admission is 20 US$ advance, 25US$ day of show.
Doors open at 6:30pm, and the show will begin at 7pm. Age limit: 21
years.
This is first Joey Ramone Birthday Bash where CJ is playing. There are
many reason for that why it is not happened earlier. CJ Ramone has
played in some other Joey memorials, like at the CBGB's on May 19,
2002. Event was then organized by Ramones artist director Arturo
Vega.
Joey Ramone Birthday Bash is organized every year in May 19, after our
Joey passed away on April 15, 2001. (Updated: May 5,
2013)
- Album release show of CJ Ramone's album
Reconquista is at Do You Wanna Dance, Brooklyn, NY, USA in March 23,
2013. Read cool story of club below. Address of Do You Wanna Dance:
2628 Gerritsen Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, USA. Line-up: CJ Ramone
(singer-bassist), Steve Soto (guitar), Dan Root (guitar) and Michael
Stamberg (drummer). CJ Ramone is one man behind of Do You Wanna Dance
club.
Immediately following the show there will be the worldwide premier of CJ
Ramone: King Cobra, The Making Of Reconquista. It is a movie Paul
MacKay, CJ Ramone and Jesse Mosher made about the making of new album in
Orange Country, CA, USA.
Also Jesse Mosher is doing art show. He told me they are of paintings he
did during CJ's shows in the USA in NYC, California, Long Island and
Nashville and in Colombia in Cali and Medellin. Exhibited at Do You
Wanna Dance club are also Jesse Mosher's paintings from the Reconquista
album sessions that are featured in the documentary.
Story behind Do You Wanna Dance is really cool. Jesse Mosher wrote
it to me in a long message.
Jesse Mosher: "CJ Ramone gave me the idea to do this new way of
presenting rock'n'roll in Colombia in 2011. We started throwing shows
in San Francisco, USA in February 2012, all ages, no bar, all money to
the bands, with my painting sales covering the rent on an old jazz club
next to the Mabuhay Gardens where the Ramones used to play. We had 100
bands play, 32 shows, with nobody getting ejected and no fights.
Time
is right to do this in New York, so we moved here in January, 2013,
driving an unlicensed, uninsured school bus, with 500 paintings across
the country. We got alot of help from CJ Ramone who put us up for a few
weeks till we found the spot near JFK airport. CJ is putting together
an incredible backline of his personal amps equipment. We are currently
booking NY and touring bands (Jari-Pekka's note: you can send a
queries to Jesse to get to play at Do You Wanna Dance, message him
through his Facebook page). We want to keep the strong
rock'n'roll vibes going! Like the page Do You Wanna
Dance Brooklyn, and
we will keep you in the loop. I look forward to making a hundred more
Ramones paintings this year, with those awesome photos from your site
Jari-Pekka!
I feel CJ is really coming to a new level in his art and music. I want
to get him making paintings to show here (Do You Wanna Dance), he is
helping curate, and bring in artists he
has met in his travels to the gallery," wrote Jesse Mosher in his long
message. (March 21, 2013)
- CJ Ramone Band will play at The Continental, NYC, USA on January 20,
2013. That day is fourth annual The Continental Reunion show. Address:
25 Third Ave/ St. Mark's Place. Artists who are rocking
include CJ Ramone Band (on stage 8.40), Walter Lure's The Waldos
(9.30),
Trigger's (owner) All Stars (10.20), Murphy's Law (7.00), Heap (5.30),
Electric Frankenstein (4.30) and Furious George (4.00). First band
is Snake Canyon (3.00). Age limit 21 years.
Also Jesse Malin (D-Generation etc.) was announced to perform. I noticed
Jesse Malin & The St. Marks Social having also another show on January
20. Jesse replied to me:
- Sunday is an early show, will be heading over to the Continental
after!, wrote Jesse.
Of the Ramones members especially CJ Ramone, Joey Ramone and also Dee
Dee Ramone played a lot at The Continental in late 90's and Joey also
in his final years. Also Dee Dee, Marky Ramone,
and Dee Dee's wife Barbara Zambini recorded
Ramainz:
Live In N.Y.C.
there in July 1997.
Joey's very last full-length concert was at The Continental on December
11, 2000.
The Continental closed their doors on September 17, 2006 and CJ Ramone
played that night. At the grand re-opening on October 11, 2006,
owner Trigger
said he will not have bands play anymore. Trigger said that as his
rents and overhead went up each year, it was undoable to have a
punk club in the neighbourhood - the crowd isn't there to support
it.
It is great he does these big reunion shows and bands are supporting
him. I know pretty well with Trigger
and you can read more information here. (January 15,
2013)
- 60th Mosrite Anniversary Show in Japan was organised at Musashino
Swing Hall in Tokyo. CJ Ramone played there with special line-up: CJ
Ramone (vocals-bass), Jiro Okabe (guitar), Ben Wah
(guitar) and Chorin (drums). Jiro Okabe and Ben Wah are playing at the
moment with Richie Ramone, but they traveled with CJ to Japan for this
show. Chorin is Japanese musician.
- We played total of five songs: Blitzkrieg Bop, Judy Is A Punk, I Wanna
Be Your Boyfriend, Rockaway Beach and I Wanna Be Sedated. Other bands
were Japanese "Mosriters" playing mainly Ventures songs. Show was
sold-out and it was wonderful show, Jiro Okabe wrote to me in November
6, 2012. Read below older news of other Mosrite 60th events and history
of Mosrite. See here
information of CJ's shows. (November 6, 2012)
- CJ Ramone has tour in South America in September, starting September
15, 2012, with a show with Die Toten Hosen in Buenos Aires,
Argentina. CJ Ramone is singer-bassist and Michael Stamberg
drummer. Guitarist Steve Soto keep rocking in CJ's
line-up. First shows with with CJ Soto played in July, 2012. Also Dan
Root of Adolescents joins CJ's band in South America in September.
More
details here soon. (July 24, 2012)
- July 13, 2012, is organised Mosrite 60th Anniversary event at NAMM,
Center Stage, Nashville, TN, USA. Mosrite 60th Anniversary Super Live/
Rock n Roll Bash Summer '12 show is featuring Richie Ramone Band,
CJ Ramone Band, The Ventures' guitarist
Nokie Edwards, Brent Mason (Grammy Award Winner and 12 time ACM
Guitarist of the Year), country artist Brian Lonbeck etc. Only 600
pre-sold tickets will be issued! Buy ticket
here.
With Richie Ramone will be playing for example Jiro Okabe.
With CJ Ramone are playing drummer Michael Stamberg (played with CJ few
years now) and Dez Cadena who is known of legendary bands like Black
Flag and The Misfits, also of Osaka Popstar etc. Richie Ramone Band and
CJ Ramone Band will both play apx. 40 minutes long sets.
Here are some background information of Mosrite guitars and why
Mosrite has so special place in the Ramones history. Semie Moseley
(1935-1992) was the founder of Mosrite guitars. He was only 17
years old in 1952, when the first Mosrite was built. Semie built his
first guitar in a metal shed in Bakersfield, California. By 1963, Semie
and his brother Andy Moseley, forged one of the major guitar companies
of the 60's. The quality and craftsmanship of the Mosrite was second to
none.
Johnny Ramone had inspired many famous musicians to buy and play Mosrite
guitars or similar ones. And of course he has influenced people to start
playing in general. As Tommy Ramone explains in his interviews in my
book Ramones:
Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Johnny used to be first a bass guitar
player. He stopped playing music and he sold his instruments and
everything. Tommy encouraged Johnny to buy an instrument and play music
again. Johnny bought his first guitar from Manny's Guitar Store on 48th
street in NYC in early 1974. He paid around 50 dollars for his Mosrite.
First one was a blue Mosrite Ventures II. It was stolen and he bought
another blue one. These two were the same model than the brown Ventures
II he bought later etc. etc.
When I and my good friend Randy Wisebrod entered producer Daniel Rey's
apartment on May 20, 2003, to do an interview, there was Johnny's white
Mosrite that he had used since 1977 until he retired in 1996. It was
cool moment to handle it.
Also made and featured by Mosrite are the Johnny Ramone Signature Model
and standard model. See more infos of
it here. (Updated: July 13, 2012)
- CJ said in December, 2010,: "Been in the studio with Daniel Rey and
Michael Stamberg. We recorded two songs for Mosrite Records."
Those songs aren't published (situation in June, 2012) (Updated: June
27, 2012)
- Third Annual The Continental Reunion show is on January 14, 2012
(address: 25 Third Avenue (between St. Marks Place and 9th St. NY
10003). So this will be a special night, as it is reunion night of
"real" The Continental with artists who had played a lot at the
Continental in past. Of our angels Joey Ramone was on stage at The
Continental probably 35-50 times and Dee Dee Ramone 10-20 times.
Artists who are rocking include CJ Ramone, Walter Lure's The Waldos,
Lenny Kaye (member of Patti Smith Group etc.), TBA (The Bully
Anonymous), The Independents (Joey was manager of The Independents),
Furious George, Electric Frankenstein, Suicide King, Heap, Charm School,
Curtis Suburban and Trigger's All Stars.
Evening show starts at 7pm. Admission 5$ before 9:30pm, $10 after.
Also earlier that day (January 14, 2012) is all ages matinee, it is
headlined by Murphy's Law. Also are playing Honor Among Thieves and Two
Man Advantage. Matinee show starts at 4.30. Admission 10$. (January 8,
2011)
- Together with CJ Ramone and drummer Michael Stamberg is touring and
playing now guitarist Steve
Dawson. "Ramones producer" Daniel Rey was guitarist for some years.
Michael explains of Dawson's
background: "Steve Dawson is a great fit with the band. His
musicianship and professionalism are
enhanced by his life long love of the Ramones. I've known him since
high school and it is an absolute
pleasure to be working with him." See their live
dates here. (October 7, 2011)
- CJ Ramone's cool interview was published in The Great Southern
Brainfart blog. On it he explains lot of his
upcoming (2012) album, how he was approached about joining Metallica
twice etc. etc. I wanted to archive interview if it disappear after
some years from internet. Read CJ's
The Great Southern Brainfart interview here. (October 9,
2011)
- CJ Ramone supported succesfully Walk
Now For Autism event in 2009
and 2010. Now CJ did same in Fall, 2011. Date and venue were: "Sunday
October 2nd, 2011, at Jones Beach State Park, Field 5, Wantagh, NY."
CJ wrote in September 29, 2011: "Meet me at 9AM by the big stage. Wear
your favorite Ramones shirt and walk with me and my family to support
my son."
Follow the link to make a donation.
And after event CJ E-mailed me in October 7th.:
"Thanks to everyone who donated and everyone that showed up and walked
with us. If you didn't get a chance to, you can
donate
up until December. For everyone that doesn't know, my son Liam is
autistic. That is why I do this event. This organization puts a large
percentage of it's budget into reaserching the cause of this disease.
See ya'll on the big road! Ramones forever!"
Btw, if you read from my Ramones: Soundtrack
Of Our Lives book CJ's memories of our Joey, there is a bit also of
it how shortly after the Ramones disbanded, CJ
turned down a chance to audition for Metallica. CJ not wanted to done
it because of his son. This tells something about CJ's heart.
Some people who donated now were: I, Victoria Rogalsi, Kenneth Kessel,
Gaston Sanchez, Tara Stites, David Leib, Lisa and Kaihlyn Malone,
Monique Francis and Naomi, Paolo di Gaetano, Peter Schroder, Russell
Rozea, Sean Yseult, Trigger of The Continental, David Leib, Donna
Gaines...
In his first fundraising Walk
Now For Autism on June 14, 2009, CJ's fundraising goal was 2,500.00
US$. June 16, 2009, was donated 3075.00 dollars.
Older news:
CJ Ramone wrote to me on April 22, 2011:
"This year I'll be taking part in the Walk Now For Autism Speaks event
for the third time for my son Liam. My family and I had a great time
last year and are looking forward to having fun again this year.
I hope that you will support our team and make a donation or just join
our team and walk with us."
CJ wrote of Liam last year:
"Liam's progress since last year's (2009) walk and his transition into
mainstream classes is proof that the research sponsored by Autism Speaks
makes a difference. I hope that you will help me in my efforts to change
the future of other autistic kids by making donation
to support Autism Speaks. (Updated: October 7, 2011)
- Long time Ramones' fan Maggie St. Thomas' one project nowadays is
Jerk Of All Trades Magazine. New second issue has interview with CJ
Ramone.
- It is a three pages feature in the summer 2011 issue of Jerk Of
All Trades Magazine. CJ talks about his views on marijuana laws,
the Ramones etc. The cover photo is of CJ in 1995 live onstage with
Joey Ramone. Mag also features never before published photos of CJ with
Joey, Marky Ramone live onstage and in 2008 at Johnny Ramone Beat On
Cancer show. There is also rolling sessions with Snoop Dogg the boss
dog of them all (slightly stoopid), Mark Arminski, John Gilhooley, Barb
Wire Dolls etc. etc. I think magazine is more like a piece of art. 10
000 copies is printed and it's a quarterly publication full color high
gloss 36 pages, explains Maggie St. Thomas.
She says mag is free in California area. If mags are posted, is
the pricing of the magazines $10 solid. That will include first and
second issues
and she
will ship it on planet Earth.
- Issue one features a really cool read by Joey's brother Mickey Leigh
from his book I Slept With Joey Ramone called Brothers Gone Bananas.
Mickey also included two photos from his personal collection with his
brother as children and later as adults. It's a very cool article and
it's a 2 page feature. The magazine includes a full page photo of Joey
Ramone from 1995, Maggie says.
So get in touch with Maggie. Maggie's E-mail address is
saila0023 (a) yahoo.com and Facebook page is
https://www.facebook.com/35mmMAGGIE.
(Updated: September 5, 2011)
- CJ Ramone wrote: "I will be at the Crazy Donkey in Farmingdale Long
Island, USA, on Sunday April 3rd (2011)
for the 3rd fight cancer with effective aggression event.".
Event is at 1:00PM-8:00PM. Ticket 15 US$.
Also featuring other live bands, Effective Aggression Apparel and Laine
Genna Designs, raffles, and guest
appearances to help fight cancer. All profits will be donated to the Dr.
Theodore A. Atlas Foundation.
Address: The Crazy Donkey, 1058 Route 110, Farmingdale, NY 11735-3907.
Phone:
631-687-0256. More information
here. (March 31, 2011)
- As many of you knows, CJ Ramone started playing with Ramones' producer
Daniel Rey etc. in
2008. He hadn't played Bad Chopper shows since late 2008. See
his tour dates
here. They has shows in South America, Italy, USA, Canada etc. in
2011.
Together with CJ Ramone and Daniel Rey been playing Michael Stamberg
since March, 2010. CJ wrote in December, 2010,: "Been in the studio with
Daniel
Rey and Michael Stamberg. We recorded two songs for Mosrite Records and
we started on my new album."
CJ has written me earlier of Michael: ""Michael
Stamberg is a local guy from Long Island, New York. I met him when Los
Gusanos (CJ's early band) was playing in NYC and Long Island. Our bands
shared a bill a few times." (Updated: March 31, 2011)
.
(October 15, 2014)
- 14th Joey Ramone Birthday Bash is in Joey's birthday at The Bowery
Electric in New York, USA on May 19, 2014. I want to make pre-party also
this year: it is at 5PM at Manitoba's in May 19. Address: 99
Avenue B (Between 6th & 7th Street). It is only 7-10 minutes of walking
from The Bowery Electric.
- There is an auction of Joey Ramone's personal items, they are
auctioned by his estate (that means nowadays mainly his brother Mickey).
Items are accompanied by a letter signed by Mickey, which
verifies their provenance. Items include guitars, a custom made leather
jacket with animal print pocket flaps, hand cuffs, 17 auction of
handwritten lyrics and notes for songs like Chop Suey, Censorshit and
Duke Of Earl, four glasses, lot of T-shirts, belts etc. I do not know
how can be sold Joey's passport..., issued on September 9, 1986.
Highest bid of passport was 7797 dollars in February 20. Handwritten
lyrics sheets and notes were between 240-700 dollars in February 20.
There is sold also part of Joey's vinyl record collection, consisting of
97 records in their original album sleeves. The
collection
includes records by Iggy Pop, The Human League, The Who, Bob Dylan and
The Doors. The collection is said to be "In overall very good to fine
condition, with various scattered creases and small tears to sleeves,
affixed prices tags and labels, and marks to vinyl."
- Mickey Leigh's (Joey Ramone's brother) and Legs McNeil's book I
Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir, is now translated and published
in Finnish. Title in Finnish is: Veljeni Joey Ramone. Kristiina Sarasti
of the Like Kustannus
was one of main organisators behind this project.
early February, 2011.
- September 15..., it is 10 years since we lost Johnny Ramone... Here
you can find my memorial page
for Johnny. RIP. In September 15, 2004, I was just leaving from Los
Angeles, USA, when Johnny died. There was Ramones 30th show at
The Avalon Theatre in Los
Angeles, CA, USA in September 12, 2004. Read
more of it here. Tommy Ramone, CJ Ramone, Marky Ramone, Daniel
Rey, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Dickies, Eddie Vedder, Rob Zombie, Tim
Armstrong, Brett Gurewitz etc. were playing.
- The tenth annual Johnny Ramone tribute event presented by his wife
Linda Cummings / Ramone is on August 24, 2014. It is 5PM-10.59PM.
This might be the final Johnny Ramone tribute. Event
is again at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, in a area where is Johnny
Ramone's memorial statue and the gravesite of Dee Dee Ramone. Yearly
there has been some film footage, celebrities having speeches etc.
etc. Tickets are 25-75 US$.
vocals to the Ramones' cover of Somebody To Love, it was recorded to
Ramones' album Acid Eaters. Movies directed and/or written by Waters are
also for example Pink Flamingos (1972), Polyester (1981) and Hairspray
(1988). Waters and Lords did signing and q&a as well.
Movies directed and/or written by Waters are also for example Pink
Flamingos (1972), Polyester (1981) and Hairspray (1988). Waters and
Lords will do signign and q&a as well.
(January 19, 2012)
- I got a message from Theo who work at Artsy. He is
doing with his friends Shepard Fairey page to Artsy, visit it here.
Theo wrote: "We strive to
make all of the world's art accessible to anyone online. Our Shepard
Fairey page, for example, provides visitors with Fairey's bio, over
250 of his works, exclusive articles, as well as up-to-date Fairey
exhibition listings. You might also enjoy checking out our editorial
examining Fairey's recent Detroit exhibition."
- Fender has touched and transformed music worldwide since 1946. Music
people knows well Fender's brands such as the Telecaster, Stratocaster
and Precision Bass. Now in 2015, Fender introduced Dee Dee Ramone's
signature Fender Precision Bass. It is limited edition. Fender writes:
"As the pounding heart of the Ramones, Dee Dee Ramone pioneered a
no-frills sound and style that left a permanent mark on rock music. On a
white Fender Precision Bass slung impossibly low, he defined punk bass
with simple but breakneck bass lines delivered with such pulverizing
sound, speed and conviction that he singlehandedly set the template for
generations of punk bassists to come. The Dee Dee Ramone Precision Bass
honors him with reverence and authenticity, just like any bassist since
who's ever planted his feet in a wide stance, slung a Precision below
the beltline and yelled a manic "1-2-3-4. count-off."
- The Hotel Chelsea Storefront Gallery has in New York Dee Dee Ramone
exhibition on December 10, 2014 - January 1, 2015. There are for example
paintings created by Dee Dee Ramone, lot of photos (for example Jenny
Lens', Keith Green's and Bob Gruen's photos of Dee Dee), posters and
T-shirts. There is
also merchandise desk and you has chance to buy candles, books, stickers
etc. of Dee Dee. The
exhibition is
produced and curated by John Cafiero who still manages Dee Dee's estate
(not anymore manager of the Ramones' and Johnny Ramone's estate).
I think exhibition is same or pretty much same than what was in
West-Coast (USA).
Address of The Hotel Chelsea Storefront Gallery is 222 West 23rd Street,
New York, USA. It is open daily from 1PM to 8PM (December 14,
2014)
- Here in Finland got made Ramopunk / Dee Dee Ramone calendar/ almanac
for year 2014 by Ramopunk Ry society. It
is 24 centimeters high (9,5 inch) and 21 centimeters wide (8,3 inch).
Calendar has four color pages and drawings/ paintings are of Dee Dee
Ramone. Drawings/ paintings are created by Manuel Cossun of The Manges.
Design is by The Andersson's Tee Dee Andersson. Calendar is printed
in real printing house and is quality product.
- Dee Dee Ramone: A Memorial Exhibition was on display in a show at
Subliminal Projects
gallery in Echo Park, Los Angeles, USA. Dee Dee received this a
posthumous gallery exhibition of his artwork thanks to street artist
Shepard Fairey. The exhibition was organized with Dee Dee's estate,
which lended the art. Exhibition was from October 26 through November
17, 2012.
Christian is a founding member of Thousand Watt Stare as well, see
their
new Messenger video here and buy TWS's
debut
EP here
.
(October 27, 2011)
- The Tank Girl Skidmarks series, written by Alan Martin and illustrated
by Rufus Dayglo, first appeared in the Judge Dredd Megazine in September
2008. It ran in 12 episodes in the monthly British comic magazine over
the course of a year. In 2009 it was collected into a 4 issue comic book
mini-series in the US by Titan Books, (3 episodes per issue), and most
recently the Tank Girl: Skidmarks Trade Paper Back collection.
As a young kid Rufus Dayglo met Dee Dee Ramone in the UK in 90's. And
Dee Dee is
included now in The Tank Girl Skidmarks series, paperback book. Idea is
buy Dayglo:
"It all seemed to fall into place! I could imagine him trading a
skateboard for a switchblade knife!!"
- Finnish pop-rock artist J. Karjalainen released new album titled
Sinulle, Sofia on November 20, 2015. J. Karjalainen is one of the most
succesful Finnish artist of those who makes music in Finnish language.
J. Karjalainen released his first album in 1981 and in all he has
released with his bands around 20 albums. 
- In July 12, 2014, at 2AM (New York time) I (Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone)
personally got confirmation from one of Ramones' managers, Dave Frey,
that we really
lost last founding member of the Ramones, dear Tommy Ramone passed away
in July 11, 2014. There were confusing hoax information first and
because of that I wanted to get confirmation from inner circle.
Tommy died because of bile duct cancer, which is also
called cholangiocarcinoma. Bile duct cancer is rare.
and
CBGB
[DVD] 
. (November 4, 2013)
written by C.J. Gunn.
- There happened something that was really crossover... Marky Ramone
played Ramones' song Blitzkrieg Bop as a guest with Public Enemy at
Beijing Pop Festival, Beijing, China on October 15, 2015. Another
guitarist of Public Enemy sang it correctly, and Chuck D also
remembered lyrics pretty well. Yes, that performance really did happen.
As many of you knows, Public Enemy is one of most successful hip hop
bands since 1980's and they has politically charged criticism. Public
Enemy was formed on Long Island, New York, USA in 1982. (October 27,
2015)
or from
from
Amazon.co.uk
- Nick Cooper of the Marky Ramone & The SpeedKings is finalizing a
book this year, 2015, about the time he was the singer-guitarist of
The Buckweeds featuring Marky Ramone, Marky Ramone Group and Marky
Ramone & The SpeedKings. The book should be out by the summer
holidays. In a photo taken by me you can see Vito Jr Dagostini,
Nick Cooper, Marky Ramone and Dee Jaywalker.
- Marky Ramone signed a deal with publisher Simon & Schuster in 2013.
Simon & Schuster will publish Marky's book of his memoirs. Marky has
worked around 10 years with his book. Release date has changed really
many times. After signing a deal, Marky Ramone promised it finally
coming out in 2013. Soon Simon & Schuster told on their site that book
has 384 pages, has hard cover and publication date is September 17,
2013. It also comes out as a eBook. But release date was postponed
again, with one year and new date told was September 9, 2014... But in
September, 2014, Marky confirmed new release dating being January 13,
2015. And I got told final version has 416 pages. In the USA is
also chance to buy kindle version. Richard Herschlag is second
author of book.
- Recently were published few well-known music magazines featuring
Ramones on cover. UK music mag UnCut celebrate in their March 2014,
issue 40 years of the Ramones with an extensive cover story by Peter
Watts. Watts did many interviews around the Ramones. UnCut also has
CD featuring new bands.
- I was really, really happy to see Marky Ramone is supporting campaign
for getting free 30 men and women who are accused of hooliganism in
Russia for a peaceful protest against oil drilling in the fragile Arctic
in September, 2013. Sini Saarela of my home country Finland and Marco
Weber of Switzerland boarded an oil rig in the Russian Arctic.
All 28 activicts and two freelance journalist were in jail in Russia,
until they were released in November.
- Marky Ramone will be a guest at Rhode Island Comic Con, USA, on
November 3, 2013. Marky Ramone will be signing autographs at Rhode
Island Comic Con using IMAGE In-Person, offering you an opportunity to
get an autograph with video authentication including you in the video
or to have your item signed. Rhode Island Comic Con opening times:
November 3rd 10AM-17PM. 
- IMAGE (Interactive Meet And Greet Entertainment) people sent me
information of their cool development in 2012. IMAGE hosted then an
online event with Marky Ramone. They do it again with Marky on April 19,
2013. Here are background what is this...
- Avenue X published a new album in late 2012. As I wrote in January
2012, Marky Ramone recorded a miniCD in 2011 with Avenue X. Below you
can find information with Marzio Dal Monte's comments. Version of
miniCD was added to Itunes in December 2012, but in Amazon its been
since 2011,
buy
it from here [Explicit]
. Buy
Avenue
X album here
.
.
End Of The World is produced by Kim Fowley whom a regular studio
session musician Noizee has been since 2009.
USA
version here .
Noizee's homepage is here. (February 1, 2013)
- Wardogs is
a band from Treviso, Italy. Wardogs released their Ramones'
tribute/ cover album titled Raw & Dirty Days in a big party in Treviso
in September 2012.
.
- Marky Ramone had many appearances in Italy in December 2011 - January
2012. Marky wrote in January 31, 2012 of his signature gelato
(ice-cream): "MEC3 (Italy), one of the largest gelato
companies in the world, is putting out my own flavor, in over 100
countries called "Marky Ramone's cookies." Its a delicious chocolate
gelato with grunchy chocolate cookies. Part of the proceeds will go to
charity, Marky Ramone explained."
- May 31, 2011, was "release party" of Marky Ramone's
signature sunglasses. Sunglasses are by Brazilian company Evoke.
Release party was in Sao Paulo, Brazil and was closed to 250 guests.
Marky Ramone
did an acoustic show together with Michale Graves (Michale and Marky
are toured together longer time already). The 1000 copies will be sold
in Brazil, Paris (France), Oslo (Norway) and Tokyo (Japan), and you can
make an order at Evoke's homepage.
Officially Evoke's Marky Ramone's
signature model hits stores in July. See
here photos of release event
(also photo of Glen Matlock of Sex Pistols who attended event) taken by
Ramones' fan Marcus Padula. You can find
here information of many of his signature products. (Updated:
June 13, 2011)
- You can read most extensive information of Richie Ramone's debut album
on this
URL on my page, CD and album versions got published on October
8, 2013.
or buy
Entitled
CD from Amazon.co.uk here
and
Amazon.com
(order it here) 
- Italian band The Manges was formed already more than 20 years ago.
Italian label Striped Records will publish 7'
split single of CJ Ramone
and The Manges. Vinyl single has two covers of 60's classic surf music.
Surfer Girl by the Beach Boys is covered by CJ Ramone featuring The
Manges. Andrea Manges sing on Surfer Girl. Guitarist on it is Josh
Blackway of The Huntingtons. Another song King Of The
Surf by the Trashmen is covered by The Manges featuring CJ Ramone.
Andrea told that CJ sing the chorus on it.
- CJ Ramone got finished with working new album and in mid August, 2014,
we got great news, famous and much-respected Fat Wreck Chords signed CJ
Ramone. Album is titled Last Chance To Dance and it has 12 songs.
Release dates:
First single Understand Me? got published in September 30, 2014.
Read more
of single here.
- I was in the road in USA and Canada in these CJ Ramone's shows: May
17, 2014: Le Pouzza Fest, Les Foufounes Electriques, Montreal, QC.
Canada. And May 18, 2014: Casey's Billiards, Pittsfield, MA, USA.
- CJ Ramone's solo album Reconquista got published in June, 2013.
CD and LP has 12 songs and also was chance to buy bonus DVD etc.
See more
details of album here.