MY TRIP TO NEW YORK, SAN DIEGO, LOS ANGELES AND TIJUANA IN MAY-JUNE
2007
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Copyright 2007 -> Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone
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Next day I had a flight. I had to change a plane in Frankfurt. I landed
to
New York at 7:10PM. Then I headed to the Chelsea Savoy Hotel. I was
decided with Diane Hatcher that I would stay there in her hotel room.
Chelsea Savoy Hotel is really close of famous Chelsea Hotel. Lot of
smiles were changed when I and Diane saw each other again. Diane lives
in Houston.
I was in a hurry because that night I was going to see
The Waldos show
at the Ace Of Clubs in the East Village. The Waldos is a band of the
Walter Lure (ex-Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers). Walter knew that I
am coming to the show. I and my friends Arde Laine and Simppa saw The
Waldos at live also 1,5 months before in Germany. I have been doing with
Walter really great interview to my third book. I was happy to see him
again. One of the first people I met beside of him there were
photographer
John Nikolai and my Finnish friends Hannu Jokinen of
Woimasointu and
Timo Pullinen. Nikolai was also taking
photos next day at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. We were having fun and
I really enjoyed the show. Luckily I wasn't feeling tired.
Later that night I slept well because I had so much sleep deprivation
from last few weeks and I wanted to be in a good shape at the Birthday
Bash. I and Diane sent first happy birthday gongralutions for our Joey
at midnight. Joey turned to be 56 years young angel then. And I turned
29 years old. So like some of you knows, I and Joey has same birthday.
Diane gave me birthday card and gifts. She knows that I do collect great
shot glasses, and she was found really lovely ones from Texas. I also
opened nice birthday cards which Lynne Cameron (Scotland) was sent for
me and my honey Pia Voutilainen was gave me. Thanks again.
Next morning I was sending more greetings for Joey with Diane. And also
for Joey's and Mickey's mother Charlotte Lesher who passed away four
months earlier (January 28, 2007). The seventh Joey Ramone Birthday Bash
was at the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza. Event was again
sold-out.
We're a happy family feelings were there strongly. Lot of smiles and
hugs were changed. Like during the first hour I met with Arturo Vega
(Ramones lighting/ art director etc.), John Holmstrom
(Punk Magazine
etc.), Mike Breschard, Mistress Deborah and Tex Feely. Beside of me
there were that night seven other Finnish people (at least), Hannu
Jokinen and Timo
Pullinen and their lifemates Kati and Seija. Later Pete Korhonen of
Kätyrit etc. wrote that also he was there with his lifemate and
cousin.
There was made also this year T-shirt of the event. It is really great.
Front side has drawing of the Joey by his mother (Charlotte) and text:
"Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2007, Irving Plaza." Back side has name of
the performers etc. T-shirt has lot purple color. Of course I bought
many T-shirts. To raise additional funds for cancer/ lymphoma research,
they were holding a raffle at the Birthday Bash. Sure I bought many of
those raffle tickets also. The grand prize was a T-shirt from Joey
Ramone's own collection, it was T-shirt of A Rock Radio 89.0FM from
Brazil. As a second prize were given five CD's from Joey's own
collection. CD's were Independents: In
For The Kill, Blackfire:
Blackfire, The Lower East Side Stitches: Lower East Side, 22 Jacks:
Uncle Bob and Sonny Vincent: Good Dogs Die Young. Joey was supporting
and helping all of them different ways.
Tyler Fyre/ The
Lucky Devil Sideshow Circus group has been doing their
special performances and tricks in many years at the Birthday Bash. Also
now they were entertaining people between shows. And also "shocking",
when they were for example doing tricks where two men were putting
driller for their nose and tongue and when lady was dancing with a huge
python.
After first Tyler Fyre/ The Lucky Devil Sideshow Circus performance
started musical part of the night. The Bullys was
playing first. Joey
loved band and so does Mickey Leigh and many other. While I enjoyed
their show, I was thinking how The Bullys also played at The Continental
on December 11, 2000..., after Joey was rocked his last official gig
ever (next day Joey did shorter performance)... In a honor of Joey The
Bullys members were punkrocking their show with a raw and great
attitude. The Dead Boys bassist Jeff Magnum was also playing with The
Bullys.
Next band was The
Chesterfield Kings. Finally I saw them at live. I was
following them from the second floor where was VIP area. The
Chesterfield Kings bassist Andy Babiuk wrote of their experiences with
the Ramones to my second book Rock In
Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone.
Also I included to my book four photos
where Dee Dee is together with the Chesterfield Kings in a studio. Dee
Dee wrote Baby Doll song for them and produced it. Later he wrote
another song for the Chesterfield Kings. Also Dee Dee performed once
Baby Doll and Chinese Rocks with them in London. The Chesterfield Kings
played Chinese
Rocks also at the Birthday Bash. Audience seemed to like of their
garage-glamrock. They had good show attitude through the performance.
I was happy to meet again with
Monte Melnick (Ramones tour manager) and
Al Maddy (Joey's friend who also plays in his solo album). While we were
talking, my eyes saw one of the most shiny Ramones fan - Celine Moray.
It was time for a big, big hug.
Between the bands were shown also videos, like Ramones playing live
California Sun and Judy Is A Punk at Don Kirschner's show and Ramones
promo videos of the songs Cabbies On Crack, Time Has Come Today and I
Believe In Miracles.
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