After Joey, Dee Dee and Johnny were died, Arturo Vega had to change address from http://www.officialramones.com to http://www.ramonesworld.com.
There was planned to have special contests judged by the Ramones themselves (that did not happen), special events were organized etc.
There were special merchandices only to fanclub members, also auctions about some original collector items......
More about page holder Arturo Vega is on my interview, with him.
SOME OFFICIAL HOMEPAGE NEWS:
- 1) AUCTIONS
- 2) RAMONES SONG GRAPHIC CONTEST
- 3) UNRELEASED RAMONES SONG
- 4) IDEA OF FAN CLUB
- 5) OPENING PARTY
AUCTIONS
There was all kind of auctions: lot signed Ramones photos, singles, albums, posters... Also signed T-shirts specially from Joey. All kind of stuff. Items were sold with certificate of authenticity from officialramones.com.
Here are information of some auction items in right:
1) Original 1977 Sire Records release of the Ramones 3rd album Rocket To Russia. Signed by Johnny Ramone and Dee Dee Ramone (in blue) and Joey Ramone and Tommy Ramone (in black).
2) We're Outta Here box set. With a CD and a VHS video tape (both never played) documenting the Ramones last show on August 6, 1996. Extremely rare item signed by the six Ramones members: Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee, Tommy, CJ and Marky.
3) Red T-shirt: Vintage 1986 Rock And Roll High School tour T-shirt from the collection of Arturo Vega.
4) Black T-shirt: Vintage 1995 Adios Amigos tour T-shirt from the collection of Arturo Vega.
5) Baby I Love You/ High Risk Insurance original Sire Records 1980, 45' RPM single in mint condition. Arturo Vega commissioned Italian punk art artist Manuel Cossu to design a one of a kind hand drawn cover which was then signed by Johnny Ramone, Joey Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone and Marky Ramone.
6) White T-shirt: Vintage 1990 Escape From New York tour T-shirt from the collection of Arturo Vega.
Auction page
RAMONES SONG GRAPHIC CONTEST
Results of the first official Ramones-homepage contest arrived April 11, 2000, and you can check out results. On contest had to do artwork of some Ramones-song and there's many really awesome artworks. Gongralutions for the winners. I won "The Most Bizarre" -award.... Thanks of it.
UNRELEASED RAMONES-SONG: PLEASE DON'T LEAVE
Shock-shock-treatment for fans. You can listen on the official Ramones-page new Ramonessong: Please Don't Leave (later was published also in official CD's). Click on the page: audio section.
There's also CJ's introduce for the song etc. Here's Joey Ramone's message for the fans:
"Hey everybody, this is Joey Ramone. Just wanna let you know we're ready to give you a never-released tune. It's a song written by Dee Dee in 1979 and it's called "Please Don't Leave". It was part of the "End Of The Century" sessions, so we think now is the right time to let you hear it.
IDEA OF THE FAN CLUB
This news piece I added in 2013, after Arturo Vega was passed away on June 8, 2013.
I was staying at Arturo Vega's house in May 2012 (like many times before) while being in New York. I had asked from Tommy Ramone if he can come to Arturo's place as Anu Vihma and Sasha Silvala did interview for a document with Tommy Ramone. Thanks to Anu, Sasha and Teemu Skinnari that now are also recorded Arturo's memories of me.
Also thanks to documentary crew that it is now taped how things happened in 1999. Arturo tells on interview:
"When we dediced to launch the official Ramones website, Joey and I organized the show at CBGB's. Then we decided that it was good idea also to have a fan club. When I was designing a membership card, it came to my mind the fact that someone was gonna be a member number one. I think Joey and I were thinking maybe we will give it to a friend of Joey or another musician, maybe someone like Iggy Pop. But then we thought it is a fan club, it should be to number one fan.
So then it just immediately came to mind that Jari-Pekka should have it. I am used meeting hardcore Ramones fans, very dedicated but Jari-Pekka stands alone, his dedication, work what he does is very extensive, wide and deep."
They also asked opinion from Johnny Ramone etc. What I, guy from Finland can say when listening that kind of interview? I wasn't asked or told about this honor until I opened letter in late 1999.
OPENING PARTY
Durango 99, also known as The Huntingtons, won the contest. There was also many more bands and more info on the official page. Sure Ramones members also appeared. Here's review of the opening party.
THIS WAS ADVANCE INFO BEFORE THE PARTY
The Ramones are having a party and you are invited!!! Officialramones.com (Ramonesworld.com) and RAMONES 1*2*3*4 The Pinheads Club opening party will be cybercast on Collegemusic.com Friday December 17th from the RAMONES CAVE, also known as CBGB.
HERE IS THE CATCH YOU ARE THE ENTERTAINMENT That's right, get together with 3 of your friends learn how to play your favorite RAMONES songs ( if you are really bad you are going to be sent for shock treatments immediately in other words kicked of the stage). REGISTER at Collegemusic.com and come to CBGB along with your guitar and bass. Drums and amps will be provided.
This is also a contest each RAMONE band member (the real ones) will pick one Ramone wanna be band winner (you) and this lucky cretins will get to play with a REAL RAMONE, how cool is that; the rest of the participants will get a slice of pizza. So start rehearsing and don't forget you HAVE TO register:
Go to The Ramones Registration Form on Collegemusic.com and fill in your "band's" information. The name of your "Ramones Band" must be something related to the Ramones.
Send a Demo Tape to :
Collegemusic.com
49 West 24th Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10010
Collegemusic.com will email you on or around December 1st, and let you know if you're the one of the lucky ones who'll be invited to come chill with the RAMONES on December 17th!