Copyright 2016 -> Linda Iorio and Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone.- THIS IS PAGE 2.
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This two pages long review is written by Linda Iorio. Thanks Linda.
Linda Iorio: Next, a "house band" consisting of people from various NYC bands, including Walt Stack from one of my favorites, The Bullys, on lead guitar, took the stage, as a host of people each did a song off the Ramones' first album as a celebration of its 40th anniversary.
There was George Tab (Furious George), Richard Bacchus (D-Generation), Cheetah Chrome (Dead Boys) on guitar, Clem Burke, aka Elvis Ramone (played in two Ramones shows) (Blondie) on drums, Mike Watt (Minutemen), Andy Shernoff (The Dictators, Master Plan..., where was Handsome Dick?), Evil Presly (The Independents), Joey Lanz of The Bullys, and some others who I didn't know and of course, the fabulous Tish & Snooky on background vocals.
Jari-Pekka's note: So there were many guest singers who sang 1-2 songs from debut album in that special set which line-up was Clem Burke, Walt Stack, Cheetah Chrome and Mike Watt. Tish and Snooky sang back vocals. Joe Finnigan told me that Walt Stack sang a great way Dee Dee Ramone's parts on 53rd And 3rd.
Joe Finnigan: Stack just nailed it all night on guitar backing everybody. Evil of The Independents was killer on Havana Affair - was great to see him there again he is a true loyal friend of Joey! Highligh for me was also seeing old friends, fans, people I have met through the years because of our shared love of the Ramones and Rock'N'Roll in the crowd (P.J. McGowan, John Negvesky etc.). Was also great hang out a bit with Richie Stotts (The Plasmatics), Ingrid and Yoav from Ingrid and Defectors (Charm School), John Holmström, George Tabb (who also performed great) and other folks from around here and far away. You Jari-Pekka of course were here in spirit and spoken well of by mutual friends, wrote Joe Finnegan.
Jari-Pekka: I found out information of eleven songs who sang those songs and I asked if Linda Iorio can comment something of some of them. Btw, Albert and Joe Bouchard are founding members of Blue Öyster Cult. They sang Listen To My Heart and also performed earlier that night in Blue Coupe.
Please E-mail if you remember who sang I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend, I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Basement and Let's Dance.
1) Blitzkrieg Bop: Isis Queen of Barb Wire Dolls.
2) Beat On The Brat: George Tabb of Furious George etc.
3) Judy Is A Punk: Andy Shernoff of The Dictators, The Masterplan, The Fleshtones etc.
4) I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend: singer?
5) Chain Saw: Richard Bacchus of D-Generation.
6) Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue: James Boland.
7) I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Basement: singer?
8) Loudmouth: Russell Wolinsky of Sic F*cks.
9) Havana Affair: Evil of The Independents.
10) Listen To My Heart: Albert and Joe Bouchard.
11) 53rd And 3rd: Paul Zone.
12) Let's Dance: singer?
13) I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You: Joey Lanz of The Bullys.
14) Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World: Joey Lanz of The Bullys.
Linda Iorio writes here comments of some of those singers.
Isis Queen of The Barb Wire Dolls: Blitzkrieg Bop:
Fantastic job on one of my favorite songs. This song just attacks like a barrage of bullets, right from the first note. Love it. Isis has a stage presence that commands your attention. Her platinum blonde hair is so bright, its like a light.
George Tabb (Furious George etc.): Beat On The Brat:
George came out on stage holding a bat, naturally, and shook it defiantly at the audience during the song. Great effect.
James Boland: Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue:
Unfortunately I don't remember this singer, but I do remember the teenage boy on stage, simulating sniffing a brown paper bag, filled with a container of glue, of course. It was funny how he staggered around. The more he sniffed, the looser he became.
Evil of The Independents: Havana Affair: This guy never ages! I've been seeing him since the first Joey Ramone Birthday Bash I went to in 2001, and he looks even younger now than he did then! Hardcore to the max, but I still think he has the cutest baby face!
Joey Lanz of The Bullys: I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You and Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World:
I loved The Bullys from the first time I saw them, which I think was at the great old Continental club in the East Village. Joey Lanz is one of my favorite front men. He reeks of tough, street wise, 70's punk all the way. Attitude is his middle name. You don't wanna piss this guy off!
Tish & Snooky sang background vocals. Before that lame TV show, "Jersey Shore", the ORIGINAL Snooky was from the NYC 70's punk scene, and they created the Manic Panic temporary hair color product, used by punks worldwide.
They are two of the Coolest (with a capital C) NYC chicks ever. Maybe not as famous as Deborah Harry of Blondie, but nevertheless, they are a great duo. I've seen them perform at countless tribute shows in NYC over the years. They put the fun in punk with their coordinated dance moves, their effervescent bubbly personalities (no crisis here) and their infectious smiles.
Always dressed in cool clothes, I eagerly anticipate what they'll be wearing. You never know what color hair they'll have on any given date -- righteously so, since they are the creators of the Manic Panic temporary hair color products. There are imitations out there, but when it comes to temporary hair color, Manic Panic is the one to use.. Tish and Snooky are the perfect backup singers for a live show. Well done once again, Tish & Snooky! I wonder what their real names are!
Joey's brother Mickey Leigh was the final performer, paying tribute to his beloved brother, Joey. He sang Questioningly, as he does every year I think. I heard him say at one time it was his favorite Ramones song that Joey wrote. I've seen him do it solo acoustic, but this was done electric, with the band building in intensity as the song went on.
Mickey got down on one knee at the edge of the stage and sang a couple of lines directly to a girl in the crowd, making the performance that much more personal.
They had Arno Hecht on saxophone. He played for a few songs. You wouldn't think a saxophone belongs in a Ramones song, but it worked! Sorry I can't remember what song(s). I also enjoyed seeing Johnny "Pi", an old acquaintance, on bass and backup vocals. He also has been seen as a musician on several NYC television shows, most recently on HBO'S Vinyl. The last song of the night was What A Wonderful World, from Joey's posthumous album, Don't Worry About Me. Mickey did a great job singing it.
The final performer at the Birthday Bash was the Bagpiper playing Happy Birthday for Joey. It was a fun show, and I hope these annual birthday bashes continue! It doesn't get any more New York than the Ramones!
Review / report is written by Linda Iorio.
Jari-Pekka's note: In addition for those who Linda Iorio did mention, there were also The Queers, The Threads, David Peel & The Lower East Side, Tracy Thornton's Pan For Punks, Miriam Linna, Mayana Moura, Pat Carpenter, Matt Chiaravalle, Bobby Weiss, Johnny Pisano and MC's John Holmstrom and Stig Stench and hosts Debra Trizzini and Peter Aschner.
SWEET JOEY BY ANDY SHERNOFF
Jari-Pekka: I want to tell of song named Sweet Joey. Andy Shernoff played that with Mickey Leigh's band now at Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2016. Shernoff, who is known for bands like The Dictators (founding member and songwriter for all their music), Master Plan and The Fleshtones, wrote a beautiful and touching tribute song with a rocky edge for Joey Ramone. Listen Sweet Joey song here. The song is available for download and every penny goes to The Joey Ramone Foundation for Lymphoma Research, click here.
I asked more of the song from Andy
Shernoff.- I had the idea of writing a song about Joey for over a year. A month ago my ideas all came together and I recorded it in my home studio, wrote Shernoff to me on May 4, 2016.
He has heard dozens of worthy songs about Joey.
- But I wanted to do a take on the guy I knew, rather than the icon.
Shernoff does YouTube videos for all his songs. Check out his YouTube channel here.
- I asked Mickey (Joey's brother) for permission to use some of his family photos. He agreed and said he also wanted to use the song to promote the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. I then suggested we offer it as a download with all money raised going to the Joey Ramone Foundation for Lymphoma Research, Shernoff did continue.
As I did mention, Sweet Joey is available for download and every penny goes to The Joey Ramone Foundation for Lymphoma Research, click here.
Thanks Andy.
Joey considered Andy Shernoff as part of his group of close friends. He was one of few who was next to Joey's bed in the hospital when Joey passed away. As you may know, he played bass on Joey's solo album, Don't Worry About Me. He wrote some songs together with Joey and other Ramones members etc. You can find my extensive interview with Andy Shernoff from my 3rd book Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives. Andy, my friend David Kelly and I were having 2,5 hours long discussion in Andy's home where is also his studio.
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