GENERAL RAMONES NEWS:
- 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)
- Donald Duck cartoon is in Finnish Aku Ankka. Here in Finland got
published great Aku Ankka issue (number 37/ 2011). Wellknown and
respected writer, really
friendly person and Ramones' fan Leena
Lehtolainen wrote manuscript for
Aku Ankka issue and it is about the Ramones even band on it is the
Morones. That is because of legal reasons and also it fit to Donald
Duck spirit not to do straight copies of characters, names etc. Punkkia
And Piirakkaa story is 10 pages and it is drawn by Spanish Donald Duck
cartoonist Cesar
Ferioli.- I did "drawing reference" ideas to Ferioli and publisher of Finnish Donald Duck sent it and photos of the Ramones to him. But Ferioli distinctly knew the Ramones and he liked of Ramones references I did. Ferioli (born in 1959) is in age-class that he was young when Ramones became famous. Without straight copying he wanted to do impressive looking art, I think, explained Leena Lehtolainen to me in February, 2012.
Lehtolainen tells on Punkkia And Piirakkaa story about charity concert Morones is playing on. One difference Lehtolainen wanted to do on story is, that singer Jopi (Joey) is playing also guitar. Jopi is otherwise just like Joey (tall, skinny, sunglasses, jeans, long hair). As well other guys has lot Ramoniac elements.
Aku (Donald) lost Jopi's guitar and because of it charity concert might get canceled. Aku buys different guitars without success. Roope Ankka (Scrooge McDuck / Uncle Scrooge) is impounded guitars from Erkki Klapiton (Eric Clapton...) as Erkki don't have had chance to pay debts to Roope etc. You can see in audience Kappas Kappas Hei! sign (Gabba Gabba Hey) and other Ramoniac references etc. etc.
Lehtolainen told me how there is a chance same cartoon story is published also in other countries than in Finland.
I want to write more of Lehtolainen. She is the bestselling female crime
author in Finland. Her new titles head straight to #1 on the Finnish
bestseller lists. Her books are sold over 2 million copies worldwide (in
Finland is five million people) and rights of her books are sold to 25
countries. Lehtolainen has included on her books many references of
Ramones influenced Finnish bands like Ne Luumäet, Pojat and
Luonteri Surf. In a introduction of this special Aku Ankka issue she
explains story being one kind of honour homage to Ramones sisters and
brothers etc.You can find Leena's memorial text of the Joey etc. on my debut book Heaven Needed A Lead Singer: Fans Remember Joey Ramone (2002).
I sent copies of this special Aku Ankka issue to Tommy Ramone, Bobby London etc. As you know, Tommy Ramone is only surviving founding member of the Ramones, first drummer and manager etc. Tommy was happy to get that issue.
Bobby London lived for a long time in New York and there he attended at My Father's Place his first Ramones show immediately after famous Roundhouse (London, UK) gig of July 4, 1976. London drew in 70's to publications like Punk Magazine and National Lampoon, and since 1977 his Dirty Duck has run in Playboy. I am sure he will be busy also in future with all publications which release his works. Bobby London's interview is 4,5 pages long in Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives. (Updated: May 3, 2012)
- One of the Premier League football teams in England, Newcastle United play Ramones song Blitzkrieg Bop at every home game before the teams come onto the pitch. Newcastle United have won four League Championship titles and six FA Cups, as well as the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and the 2006 UEFA Intertoto Cup. (April 18, 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)
- I want to write here a bit of some cool Ramones influenced releases.
The four-piece group Zeezz is certainly one of best Japanese bands I
have ever heard. I got Zeezz's debut album Power Bomb in August, 2011,
and I have listened it already 50+ times. Zeezz really knows how to kick
good mood to their songs and listeners. Zeezz carry great way
Ramones influenced torch. Energy goes so driven way and they do not
explain too much, punk speaks!
Variety of pop-punk songs in Power Bomb is good, like in Torment tempo
is slower through the song and singer Maria is
rocking on from her tender side to shrill shouting.I was surprised to hear 1-2-3-4 shouting in Finnish (Y-Ka-Ko-Ne) Guitarist Tsukasa didn't mention to me in advance of their cover songs... I wasn't read tracklisting until I noticed weird and cool surprise, Japanese band had covered Pojat' song Mari On Förbi. Some pressings of Power Bomb has bonus EP and one song on it is Klamydia's Minä Minä Minä (Klamydia is Finnish band). Maria's pronouncing is pretty good in Finnish. I can imagine how long it would take from me to learn sing in Japanese... Pojat frontman Miika Söderholm and Klamydia frontman Vesku Jokinen has said really positive comments of Zeezz's versions. Bonus EP has also some other cover versions, it starts with The Nerves' song Paper Dolls.
Please make yourself favor and check out their songs here. Those are demo versions of final versions on Power Bomb. You can order CD from Zeezz's label Dumb Records. There is really good catalog also records by other labels. Other Dumb Records releases include Banana Erectors: All The Best And More and The Headbangers: Meet The Headbangers.
Tou can order Power Bomb also from Finnish label Woimasointu. Zeezz's Tsukasa did an interview with M!ka Vesterinen to M!ka's The Havana Bananas zine (printed zine). Woimasointu has earlier released for example records by Dee Dee Ramone, CJ Ramone's Warm Jets and Marky Ramone & The SpeedKings. Recently Woimasointu has released for example these good records Blitzkrieg Boys: Too Old to Die Young, Rikoslaki: Sheriffi, Taistelukala: ...Ja Taistelu Jatkuu and James Puhto Ren: Kihniö.
As well Killer Records Finland is really good label, founded in 1989. I have listened lot Sanktio's Synnin Paikka CD. (Updated: March 8, 2012)
- Monte A. Melnick wrote with Frank Meyer years ago really great On The Road With The Ramones (revised edition)
book.
In English there is third updated edition. As a latest
information Monte wrote me in February 15, 2012, that book
is published now in Hungarian. See details here
(publisher Cartaphilus).- The book has a new forward by Tommy Ramone who as you know came to the US from Hungary. The French edition will come out in this fall, wrote Monte.
Earlier On The Road With The Ramones is out also in Spanish and German. German edition is titled Auf Tour Mit Den Ramones. Order German edition here: Auf Tour mit den Ramones
(Updated: February 15, 2012).- United Kingdom record label, Captain Oi! is oi and early British punk re-issue label. Captain Oi! released a deluxe revamp version of Ramones' live album Loco Live recorded in Barcelona, Spain in March, 1991. Release comes with a clamshell box and 2 CD's housing 37 songs. This release combines the original UK and USA versions of the album so that the whole Ramones show from Barcelona is now restored to it's full glory. Tracks include some songs what the Ramones not played live regularly in 90's, like Carbona Not Glue. 2CD comes with sleeve notes and insights by long time tour manager Monte Melnick. See tracklisting here.
CJ Ramone told me in 1997 background of original Loco Live. CJ Said: "Loco Live is probably the worst Ramones record ever unfortunately. It wasn't our fault though. We were forced to work with a producer who had no idea of what the Ramones should sound like. Besides that Marky went into the studio and overdubbed all of his hi-hat and cymbal tracks and stayed in the studio during the mixing to make sure his drum tracks wre louder than everything else."
Thanks to Captain Oi! of making better version. Captain Oi! re-released in the United Kingdom in June, 2004, a slip case versions with detailed sleeve notes, lyrics and bonus tracks etc. of four Ramones studio albums: Brain Drain, Mondo Bizarro, Acid Eaters and Adios Amigos. (January 28, 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)- People of legendary PUNK Magazine are worked few years with best-of book titled The Best Of PUNK Magazine. PUNK Magazine was created by cartoonist John Holmstrom, publisher Ged Dunn and Legs McNeil in 1975, and thanks to them of using first word "punk". In early days also people like legendary comic artist Bobby London were doing great material.
Harper Books, under its new It Books imprint, will be publishing The Best Of PUNK Magazine. Release date is not confirmed.
Here are some information by Holmstrom and other PUNK Magazine people:
"What separates this from all other PUNK reprints and even the back issues is that The Best Of PUNK Magazine will reproduce all of our most-requested and popular material with the highest possible quality reproduction on gloss paper. For the first time, the photos will be crisp instead of muddy. This is a massive project, since we are tracking down the original art and photos to present the material in it's most readable and handsome edition yet.
We also plan to publish material that never appeared in print before, from the infamous PUNK #9 and PUNK #18, two of the "lost issues." Hopefully this will include Mary Harron's interview with The Damned and the Joey Ramone interview about Rock'N' Roll High School.
PUNK Magazine art director Bruce Carleton, who created the Monster and much of the artwork for Mutant Monster Beach Party (PUNK #15) is painstakingly reproducing the images from that issue. Most are being scanned in high resolution from the original artwork.
PUNK's original editor, John Holmstrom, is writing the historical background to accompany the material, which will include never-before-published photos and artwork.
Bridget Hurd, who contributed to the last couple of issues (PUNK #20 and #21), is co-editing the book with Holmstrom, and has the massive task of trying to find everyone who ever contributed to PUNK magazine. She's tracked down most of PUNK magazine's original writers, artists and photogs (such as Roberta Bayley, Bob Gruen, Mary Harron, Bobby London, Legs McNeil, Robert Romagnoli, Chris Stein and Ken Weiner). (December 20, 2011)
- 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)
- Publisher Kustannusosakeyhtö Paasilinna
published book titled Yy-Kaa-Koo-Nee: RAMOPUNK! Book is in Finnish and
it is composed/ written by Jari "Jeke" Marjala. Jeke started project in
2007 and getting this 504 pages long book finished was huge work. Book
tells extensively history
of many Ramoniac Finnish bands and unity/ sense of community of
Ramoniac bands and fans. For example of groups like Ne Luumäet,
Pojat, Häiriköt and Klamydia. Those many older Ramones fans might
remember also outside of Finland (their songs are in compilations,
tribute CD's etc.). Of course Yy-Kaa-Koo-Nee: RAMOPUNK! has as well of
many other bands, for example of Himanes and Eppu Normaali who
is one of the biggest Finnish band who sing in Finnish.I collected and sent lot material and also some photos from my archives and books to Jeke Marjala, for example all comments in this book by Tommy Ramone, CJ Ramone, Arturo Vega and Daniel Rey are from me. Richie Ramone wrote some comments to the book. I will write more information soon.
There are lot release parties of Yy-Kaa-Koo-Nee: RAMOPUNK! Main one is at the most legendary Finnish club, at Tavastia, Helsinki on Friday November 11, 2011. Buy tickets here. Bands playing at Tavastia are Ne Luumäet (22.00), Vandaalit (20.45) and Me Wokkivihannekset (19.45).
November 12, 2011, you can see at On The Rocks, Helsinki, groups Himanes, Joey Luumäki & Tappajatomaatit and Rehtorit.
Btw, Yy-Kaa-Koo-Nee means 1-2-3-4! (Updated: November 10, 2011)
- Jörg Buscher and his Loudmouth! zine organise with some other people three days long Be Well Beat On Cancer benefit event in Dusseldorf, Germany in September 7-9, 2012. So they start to compose event really early in advance.
- All three days take place at the Bar 95, the clubhouse of Dusseldorf's local football club Fortuna 95 Dusseldorf. (address: Flinger Broich 87, 40235 Dusseldorf). Bar 95 has a capacity of around 400 people. Friday and Saturday will be "regular" late evening shows, but maybe there are some special events like signing sessions etc., Buscher explains.
Man has organised with his friends events also in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 2004. All proceeds from the Beat On Cancer 2012 will go to the children's hospice Regenbogenland (Rainbow's country) in Dusseldorf.
First confirmed bands include Italian Romanez, Switzerland's Möped Lads, and German groups Zwakkelmann, ZZZ Hacker, The Sentiments, The Bleeding Valentines, Kurz Und Bundig and Supabond.
Read more details here. (November 3, 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).
- It is great there are still people who does punk zines in old printed format. Second issue of Italian Byebyebrain Fanzine has "Joey's legs" as a cover, review of Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg's show and other Ramones material. As well of Ramoniac bands like Beatnik Termites and McRackins.
Vitek Formanek from Czech Republic composed as well great fanzine, called Sex Fun And Rock'N'Roll. Vitek wanted to do Ramones related interview for example because it was 15 years of split-up and 10 years of Joey Ramone passing away. He did an long interview with me (Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone) where I explains a lot background details and my thoughs of different Ramones albums. Why the Ramones were/ are popular in some certain countries, what kind of political lyrics Ramones has etc. etc. Sex Fun And Rock'N'Roll also has great interviews with Charlie Harper (singer for UK Subs), The Adicts, Eddie And The Hot Rods... Texts are published in both languages, English and Czech. You can contact Vitek with using E-mail address vitekformanek (a) @seznam.cz or EvaCsolleova (a) seznam.cz (October 18, 2011)
- WatchMojo.com is a web video magazine, producer and publisher of informative and entertaining video content for the web. Stephanie Ng Wan work with the WatchMojo.com community and she wrote they created brand new video on the history of the Ramones since September 15th, 2011, marks the 7th anniversary of Johnny Ramone's passing and September 18th marks Dee Dee Ramone's 60th birthday. 6 minutes long video tells nicely basic things of the history. See video here. (September 17, 2011)
- Merge Festival in the UK, 15 September to 20 November 2011, new annual festival is celebrating the contemporary culture and rich heritage of Bankside, London's dynamic artistic and business district. The river walkway near Tate Modern, a vacant office block, historic buildings, Bankside Mix, as well as Bankside's open spaces, workplaces, bars and cafes will come alive when major names from the UK and international art world stage installations and musical performances alongside emerging artistic talent.
Key highlights include: The work of artists behind legendary bands such as The Ramones (Arturo Vega) and The Sex Pistols (Jamie Reid), are showcased with young hip-hop performers, who rap Shakespearean verse, and a new musical arrangement of the hit pop song, Snoopy v The Red Baron, produced by Fiona Banner.
Ramones' creative director Arturo Vega, designer behind the Ramones' iconic logo, artworks, merchandise and stage designs, will create a wall painting inside the Never Records' store, deliver a talk and slideshow at Tate Modern about his time as part of the cult band's inner circle, as well as hosting a T-shirt printing day when anyone can bring an item of clothing for him to screen print directly onto (one print per person).
Event 1: T-shirt Printing.
Venue and date: 17 September, 2011 (14.00-16.00) Never Records, 11 Southwark Street, Bankside, SE1 1RQ.
Event 2: The Ramones and Me by Arturo Vega.
Venue and date: 19 September 2011 (18.30-20.30) Tate Modern Star Auditorium, Bankside, London, SE1 9TG. Admission: 12 pounds / 9 pounds concessions Booking: Essential. Via www.mergefestival.co.uk.
Jamie Reid:
Co-inciding with the 35th anniversary of the launch of The Sex Pistols. debut single, Anarchy In The UK, Jamie Reid has chosen MERGE to exhibit his largest single presentation to date of works associated with the punk legends, some of which have never been seen before. (September 7, 2011)
- Rhino Records (Warner Records) released re-issues of The Ramones' first four albums on 180-gram vinyl. Also were released four vinyl singles. Albums Ramones (1976), Leave Home (1977), Rocket To Russia (1977) and Road To Ruin (1978) come in accurate reproductions of the original packaging as Rhino says. They continue: "The records sound magnificent and were made using lacquers cut from the original analog masters by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering. Main people of original ones has confused feelings of those and also of re-mastered CD's released in 2001.
Producers of debut album are Craig Leon and as an associate producer Tommy Erdelyi (Tommy Ramone).
- I gave Tommy an associate producer credit for his original ideas re: the feel of the band, he was actually the original manager as well as the drummer, but he had very little to do with the recording or production values, wrote Craig to me on August 21, 2011.
Producers of Leave Home and Rocket To Russia are Tony Bongiovi and Tommy Ramone, and producers and engineers of Road To Ruin are Ed Stasium and Tommy Ramone. Rob Freeman was engineer of debut album and Ed Stasium was engineer of Leave Home and Rocket To Russia. Original albums were mastered at Sterling Sound by Greg Calbi. Ed Stasium had really negative feelings how work were.
- I had a premonition that this would happen..... Rhino/Warner did not involve anybody that worked on the original LP's on these re-issues I just received the LP's and they sound like shit! Whoever approved the test pressings has to be DEAF (with apologies to my hearing impaired daughter Sara)... Rhino just should have involved us and had Greg Calbi at Sterling master them instead of some understudy at Grundman. Rhino/Warner reissued these for commerce not quality, said Ed Stasium.
Ed did continue.
- Actually the re-issue vinyl of the 1st LP sounds the best of the bunch!
Craig Leon was really happy to result of debut's re-issue.
- Finally there is a version of this out there that sounds like it did in 1976. Much closer to the original idea. Rounder, clearer, not tinny and out of phase. I believe that they did a needle drop on the original pressing and then processed with some sort of Cedar noise reduction. Pity that there are so many previous crap CD re-issues. They could have called me about the mastering 15 years ago and we wouldn't have had to wait this long for someone to figure out how it was supposed to sound on their own. And I would have thought that these guys would pick up the phone and call us when they were doing the remastering jobs instead of fumbling about on their own. It's not like we're both inactive in the modern recording business. In any case if you like the music definitely get this one And no..., I don't receive royalties on this so this is not a hype, told Craig Leon.
7' singles released at a same time are (blue vinyls) 1) I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend/ California Sun/ I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You, 2) Swallow My Pride / Pinhead / Let's Dance (live), 3) Sheena Is A Punk Rocker / I Don't Care, 4) She's The One / I Wanna Be Sedated (Updated: August 22, 2011).
- Arturo Vega was the Ramones creative director since 1974, he designed the Ramones' eagle logo and
most all of the Ramones art, shirts, special collections, etc. He worked as the Ramones lighting
director. With the Ramones he worked on 2 261 shows, and only missed 2 Ramones shows altogether.
He definitely is/was one of their closest friends and run RamonesWorld.com..Arturo is going to London, UK in September from the 14 to the 22nd, participating in an Art Festival with an installation called Never Records and also will give his slideshow-talk at Tate Modern on the 21, 2011.
Arturo has had lot exhibitions. Here is updated information of his 30th Anniversary exhibition. From May 2011 to first week of September 2011, is the exhibition entitled Lie Cheat Steal at Galeria OMR in Mexico City, Mexico presented his works since 1973 (first were supermarket ads) to 2011. Exhibited: his general works and works related to the Ramones, like the logo of the Ramones, first Ramones poster (1975) signed by Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee and Tommy, stage backdrop (1978-90), Gabba Gabba Hey sign autographed by Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee, Tommy, CJ and Marky, as well as posters of the band, and other items reflecting the strong influence of the advertising and music. Newest one are collaborations with James Rubio from 2011. (August 20, 2011)
- Through Dig Gallery (UK), is famous photographer Eileen Polk put on sale some of his punk memorabilia. For example few Ramones' guitar picks, photographs taken by Eileen and two T-shirts designed by Ramones' creative director Arturo Vega. Read her interview from this location on my site, interview is by Ben/ Dig Gallery.
Eileen was good friend with most of punkrockers of original NYC scene. Eileen was there on the scene when punk arrived in New York. She worked in punk hangout and clothing store, Revenge etc. She also dated a while with Dee Dee Ramone and had co-operation with the Ramones in general. Eileen's friend Anya Phillips had introduced Eileen to Dee Dee Ramone one night at CBGB's club in the spring of 1975. Here is description of Ramones 1976 T-shirt (price 3000 pounds) what is on sale in Dig Gallery:
"Dee Dee Ramone gave this T-shirt to Eileen Polk when they were dating in August 1976, before the
Ramones left New York for their first tour on the West Coast. According to Eileen, Dee Dee was to
be away for her birthday so he gave her his T-shirt as a memento."Ramones photos Eileen is selling through Dig Gallery are Limited Edition Gelatin Silver Prints, edition 100, signed by Eileen. Size 16 x 20 inches. Prices 660 pounds.
- First photo is of Dee Dee Ramone at Revenge Clothing shop, East Village, New York, 1978.
- Second photo is of Joey Ramone on a Harley Davidson outside CBGBs, The Bowery, New York, 1978.
Another Ramones related T-shirt is original vintage black and white T-shirt, designed by Ramones' creative director Arturo Vega, for the legendary Blitz Benefit gig at CBGBs, May, 1978, featuring Blondie, The Ramones, Richard Hell, Suicide and others.
As most of you knows, Arturo designed all Ramones merchandise in their career 1974-1996 and still does best Ramones' products (buy products from his site RamonesWorld. (Updated: August 19, 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)
- Hey, what is going on? Rolling Stones released results of readers poll: The Best Punk Rock Bands of All Time. First five are 1) Green Day..., 2) The Clash, 3) The Ramones, 4) Sex Pistols and The Dead Kennedys.
This really make sense by a writer: "Even the members of Green Day would probably object to being ranked higher than the Ramones and the Clash on this list, but the Internet has spoken and we have to honor that." (August 3, 2011)
- Ed Stasium is a producer and engineer of some Ramones/ Ramones related
albums. Ed sold a historical Ramones-related guitar on eBay, his 1963
Fender Stratocaster. Ed explains background:
"For the discerning Ramones collector, this is a one of a kind historical item
with a Ramones legacy provenance. This Strat was used extensively on
practically every Ramones record that I worked on as engineer, producer or
musical director.The first Ramones recording that this 1963 Fender Stratocaster appears on is Sheena Is A Punk Rocker. Johnny wanted it to have a Beach Boys guitar part a'la Little Honda.
It is used on virtually every song of Road To Ruin, notably the chunks and solo on I Wanna Be Sedated, and on every song on the Phil Spector produced End Of The Century on which I was credited as the Ramones Musical Director. I was in the studio playing with the band on every track for this LP. It also is played on Too Tough To Die (various parts including the solo on Howling At The Moon) and it's played extensively on Mondo Bizarro. I also used it on every song on the upcoming Joey Ramone solo LP.
The guitar was originally Seafoam Green, purchased at Rondo Music in Hillside NJ in September of 1964. I painted it with a psychedelic theme after I saw George Harrison's Strat (Rocky, which was a '62 Sonic Blue) on the Magical Mystery Tour LP in December of 1967. It was stripped down to wood in 1969, restored to the original color in 1975. The bridge pickup is original, the middle and bridge pickups were replaced in 1969 with pickups dated 1968 (they were damaged during the "stripping"), all other electronics ore original.
Auction started from US $17,500.00. Auction ended on July 30, 2011. I asked from Ed Stasium if it was bought by some store etc. Ed said the guitar was "sold" to a private collector. (Updated: August 20, 2011)
- There's really a big Ramones fan background within the members of The 69 Eyes, much more than many newer fans of the band probably know. Finnish band played in their early years glam rock'N'roll. Now for many years melodic goth oriented. The 69 Eyes will play many Ramones songs in their acoustic set at Apollo Nightclub in Turku, Finland, on July 28, 2011.
Read more of their Ramones fan background from my 2nd book Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone. (July 25, 2011)
- Critical Mass music blog did an interview with Ramones' road manager Monte A. Melnick. Read it here. It had some new information not told before. Monte did with Frank Meyer years ago really great On The Road With The Ramones (revised edition)
book.
In English there is third updated edition. As a
new information Monte told this fall (2011) book will come out in
Hungarian and French.Before On The Road With The Ramones is out also in Spanish and German. German edition is titled Auf Tour Mit Den Ramones. Order German edition here: Auf Tour mit den Ramones
.Also new information in Critical Mass' interview with Monte was this:
- I had a band called Thirty Days Out on the Warner Bros Reprise label. We had two albums out, one in 1971, one in 1972. Funny thing just this year they released both of them on CD. It took 40 years to get it out on CD, said Monte.
See details of another Thirty Days Out
album here. (July 14, 2011)- Ramoniac and old Finnish band called Blitzkrieg Boys released new album titled Too Old To Die Young by Finnish Woimasointu Records. Blitzkrieg Boys has loyal fans especially in Germany. In early days of them got interested German labels Teenage Rebel Records and Knock Out Records.
- Blitzkrieg Boys are founded in 1985 and is still going strong. Too Old To Die Young is our first new full length album since Back From Nowhere (1989). I really think Too Old To Die Young is good and strong album. Sound is OK even our studio budget was minimal. Album has intimate songs like I Lost My Heart (In Germany). Our crazy tour in Germany in 1990 is legendary and of it you can read more from our collection titled 20th Anniversary Album (2006, Woimasointu Records), explains singer Marty Blitzkrieg (Marko Tienhaara).
Guys had lot bad luck in that Germany tour in 1990. Marty tells one player quit the band two weeks before the tour. They had no much money when they did travel to Germany and there tour manager told they couldn't get the money for the shows until the tour was over.
- After we played six shows tour was over for us. Tour manager and support band The Shaddox stole our guitars etc. Because of the tour the band split up. We did few comebacks. And things started to happen again in 2005. Tours in Germany in late 2000's were good and German people are friendly. I hope we can return to German soon, even in some pubs they can cheat tourists a lot. Anyway there is cheap to travel and it is good to have something wise to do, says Marty whom another band is Taistelukala.
BB writes in Too Old To Die Young booklet Norman Lorf being their number 1 fan in Germany.
Contact details: tienhaaramarko@hotmail.com / Blitzkrieg Boys / Woimasointu Records. Woimasointu has released before for example singles by Dee Dee Ramone, Marky Ramone & The SpeedKings and Bad Chopper. Some new releases are Rikoslaki: Lomalla, Taistelukala: ...ja taistelu jatkuu and Sanktio: Aihetta Paniikkiin! (July 11, 2011)
- The Ramones played at live at Musikladen's (Germany) television program on September 13, 1978. This performance is pretty famous and it is now released in complete length including encores. Release includes DVD and CD both. Official release date: July 11, 2011. In addition to those 15 songs release include interesting interview with assistant director of Musikladen show, who remember well things what happened that day. Read more details here. (Updated: July 3, 2011)
- Julien's Auction in Beverly Hills presents entertainment memorabilia, Hollywood
memorabilia, rock memorabilia etc. Julien's Auction is selling off a bunch of great Ramones items on June 25. In all
is 22 Ramones related auction and some has many Ramones products/ related products. It is
on-line auction and after registering you can do bids. Some Ramones items are:1) A matted sleeve for album End Of The Century signed in black marker by Dee Dee, Joey, Johnny and Marky Ramone. Starting price 200 $US and estimated price 400-600 $US. Auction is here.
2) A group of six original paintings and prints of Joey Ramone. The pieces include a framed print signed by Murray Eisner and numbered 1/800, acrylic on canvas portrait with denim covered frame, another acrylic on canvas painting, a RIP Joey framed print on watercolor paper, and two framed poster portraits. Starting price 100 $US and estimated price 200-300 $US. Auction is here.
3) A knit scarf of the Ramones with "Hey Ho Let's Go" and Johnny, Joey, CJ and Marky. The scarf is framed and accompanied by my debut book Heaven Needed A Lead Singer: Fans Remember Joey Ramone, as the book's front cover a photograph of Joey holding the scarf above his head. Starting price 300 $US and estimated price 600-800 $US. Auction is here.
4) Numbered print (154/186) of Acid Eaters album artwork. Signed in pencil by Joey, Johnny, Marky and CJ Ramone. Auction is here.
5) A pair of acrylic on canvas paintings by Dee Dee Ramone's wife, Barbara Zampini. The paintings are signed by Barbara and Dee Dee Ramone. The first painting shows the floor plan of the Chelsea Hotel, and the second features the facade of the famous New York landmark. Dee Dee and his wife Barbara lived in the Chelsea Hotel, and Dee Dee later chronicled their misadventures in his 2001 book Chelsea Horror Hotel. 17 1/4 by 21 inches, overall. Starting price 300 $US and estimated price 600-800 $US. Auction is here.
6) We're Outta Here box set, box is signed in black marker by Dee Dee, Johnny, CJ, Joey, Marky and Tommy Ramone. Auction is here.
7) A framed copy of issue number 12 from May 1990 of The Record Exchange Music Monitor, signed on the cover by Joey, Johnny, Marky and CJ Ramone. Together with three black and white framed concert posters for venues The Tower Theater and The Fast and Cool Club and a fundraising concert for the American Cancer Society in honor of Joey Ramone. Auction is here.
8) A matted copy of the Pleasant Dreams album cover signed in 1990 in black marker by Joey, Johnny, Marky and CJ Ramone together with a custom Ramones skateboard deck (probably not official merchandise) with custom grip tape design featuring the cover image from the Ramones' 1981 album Pleasant Dreams. The deck features a painted checkerboard design with "Grind For Life" on back. Auction is here.
9) A black leather motorcycle jacket by Schott NYC, with Harley-Davidson patch on back and signed on the right upper sleeve in white marker by Johnny, Marky, Joey and CJ Ramone. Auction is here.
(June 23, 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.
Also 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.
Then about radio show by Aleksi Pahkala in Finland. Aleksi has done his radio show 11 years at Radio Helsinki, and June 22, 2011 between 15-18PM he has "goodbye" show and he plays and talk about the Ramones three hours = entire show. Here is homepage of Radio Helsinki. (Updated: June 23, 2011)
- Marky Ramone started taking the video camera on Ramones tours in 1987, when he went back in the Ramones. Marky owns the huge Ramones video library and he, Johnny Ramone and John Cafiero were main men behind of Ramones documentary called RAW. RAW got released in 2004. It feature appearances by Debbie Harry, Chris Stein, Bono, Drew Barrymore, and Carly Simon, as well as footage of DOORS guitarist Robby Kreiger performing Take It As It Comes with the band at the Hollywood Palladium in 1992. In addition, the disc include "I Ramone", a half-hour of concert footage captured in Rome in 1980.
Staff of Documentary Channel E-mailed me and wrote they will show RAW on the Documentary Channel Saturday, June 17th at 8PM ET/PT. Tune in DISH 197, DIRECTV 267. (June 13, 2011)
- "Fifth Ramone", one of their closest friend Arturo Vega has retrospective art exhibition in Mexico City of his successful art career. Exhibition is from May 28 to July 23, 2011, at Galeria OMR Plaza Rio de Janeiro 54, Colonia Roma in Mexico City, Mexico. His exhibition is titled Lie Cheat Steal.
There is Arturo Vega's art since 1970's. Here are details from press release: "Arturo Vega is born in Chihuahua, Mexico, from before the time of color TV, and resident of New York City since the 70's, his work is influenced by his own life, rock and punk. Arturo Vega was for 22 years artistic director, guardian and very close friend to the Ramones, creating not only Ramones logo which later came to be the flag for the punk movement, but also something to their album covers and stage designs. Parallel to this historical music genre that transformed from the fashion to the attitude of its followers, Vega produced a solid body of work that includes paintings using a series of images taken from various media publications as well as fragments of the band lyrics, resulting in pieces that are both mystical and insulting.
Regardless of his strong belief in the revolutionary force of music that is able to provoke changes in society, in his visual works he is also influenced by the North American pop art. He makes a critique of the human necessity to form a part of capitalist systems, without really considering its consequences. There is something rebellious and seductive in Arturo Vega.s work that defies the social norms, causing people to question ideals and conformities through music, life and art.
Arturo has this exhibition together with Alberto Garcia-Alix, who is big name in contemporary European photography. With countless exhibitions since 1981, among them an important retrospective titled De donde no se vuelve in the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid in 2008.
I do mention some more background information of Arturo Vega. You can find the most extensive and "real/original" Ramones merchandise store from Arturo Vega's site, www.ramonesworld.com. Arturo, Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone etc. founded site together and also founded official 1*2*3*4* Fan Club.
Joey and Dee Dee lived with Arturo in his apartment when Ramones was founded and he worked to the Ramones through their career, missing only two shows of 2263. At that same apartment was signed first Ramones record deal. Arturo was attended when that did happen etc. etc. (June 7, 2011)
- Warner Bros. Records launched "side by side" a series of limited edition 7' vinyl singles, featuring iconic Warner Bros artists covering other historic and personally influential iconic WB family artists. Song is this time Havana Affair. Single has original version from 1976 by the Ramones and it is covered by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Version by the Red Hot Chili Peppers got first released on Ramones tribute album We're A Happy Family (2003). It is opening song on it. RHCP recorded song in 2002. Johnny Ramone helped Rob Zombie to do and collect We're A Happy Family together.
Havana Affair single is a Record Store Day 2011 exclusive item. It was first time available for purchase in stores on Saturday, April 16, 2011. Total pressing of 6500 worldwide. In addition to red vinyl in clear jacket with label and 4/c sticker, there are 100 of pressing randomly available on clear vinyl. (Updated: May 6, 2011).
- MOJO Magazine's (UK) May, 2011, issue has great Ramones article,
Ramones on cover and free Roots Of The Ramones CD. Ten years after the
death of Joey Ramone, MOJO salutes Joey. Information from MOJO site:
"Kris Needs speaks to the friends and family of Joey Ramone about his
remarkable life, Tommy Ramone recalls the psychotic pop-song formula of
that debut album, and David Fricke investigates the freak four's
sustained insane attack on the pop charts."Austrian based music magazine Slam Magazine published Rock Classics: Ramones special issue on October 28th, 2009. It had 132 pages and then was first time published this 12 song CD entitled The Roots Of The Ramones with tracks from bands like the New York Dolls, MC5, Iggy & The Stooges, The Troggs and The Flamin' Groovies. (Updated: May 25, 2011).
- July 2007, I wrote here on my page Joel Gausten is doing an book titled Albums That (Should've) Changed The World. It also contains Ramones chapter which tells an extensive history of the Ramones album Brain Drain (1989). Chapter includes exclusive commentary from Marky Ramone and producers Daniel Rey and Bill Laswell, as well as never-before-revealed details behind the recording of the album etc. "When 'Brain Drain' was released in 1989, the time was finally right for the Ramones to break through to mainstream music buyers. At the time, the band had the theme song to a major motion picture (Stephen King's Pet Sematary), their world tour was receiving substantial coverage on MTV and they were working with a world-renowned producer (Bill Laswell). But once again, the band failed to meet expectations, despite releasing their best work in a decade. This chapter explains why.", explains Joel Gausten.
Albums That (Should've) Changed The World is still in progress. Author Joel Gausten wrote to me on April 23, 2011:
"It's nice to hear from you. The book is taking a long time to complete. I hope to have it out by the end of 2012. It will be around 600 pages when it's complete!"
In 2007 I got told, it contains also interviews with past/present members of Danzig, Misfits, Samhain, Plasmatics, Napalm Death, Kiss etc. (Updated: April 23, 2011).
- Great photographer Tom Hearn has photo exhibition named The Flowering Of Punk Rock at Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery at Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT, USA. You has chance to see Ramones, Blondie etc. photos from 70's and lot more.
The Flowering Of Punk Rock exhibition is open April 14-May 27, 2011. Opening reception is April 14 at 5.30-7.30. April 16 will Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain do reading session related to their famous book Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History Of Punk. Gallery's opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11AM-5PM and Sunday noon-4PM. See more of gallery here. (April 2, 2011)
- Many younger fans are asked from me who is Arturo Vega. You can find the most extensive and "real/original" Ramones merchandise store from Arturo Vega's site, www.ramonesworld.com. Arturo, Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone etc. founded site together and also founded official 1*2*3*4* Fan Club. Some years after those three original members became angels, Arturo couldn't use "official" status of his site anymore. Lot of fans can't understand or accept decision.
I certainly hope people support Arturo Vega and buy merchandise from man who designed the Ramones' eagle logo and most all of the Ramones art, shirts, special collections, etc. before Johnny passed away.
Arturo Vega was the Ramones creative director since 1974 and worked as the Ramones lighting director. With the Ramones he worked on 2 261 shows, and only missed two Ramones shows altogether. Arturo still lives in a loft where with him in the early 70's lived Dee Dee and Joey. He definitely was one of the closest friends with Joey, Johnny and Dee Dee, and still now with Tommy, CJ and Richie. (April 2, 2011)
- I had here 20 hours newspiece about benefit festival and I did mention huge bands playing on it because of Ramones. It was my first Ramones' related April Fools' Day joke ever. I wanted to clear "athmosphere" when there are still so many fights going on in a Ramones family circle. One longterm fan wrote how I made right move: "Its sad that they are all like that, but its like children squabling in any family to be honest. It IS an issue to make a joke about - if they complain about it then they show themselves up to be miserable complainers! Are they smart enough to hold their tongues?" (April 2, 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)
- 1-2-3-4-news: December 22, 2010 was announced Ramones being among the recipients named of the Recording Academy's lifetime achievement awards.
The Ramones received lifetime achievement Grammy Awards at invitation-only ceremony February 12, 2011, the night before the 53rd annual Grammy Awards.
- I am so happy that the band is being honored this way. It would have meant a lot to Joey, Johnny, and Dee Dee, as it does to all of us in the Ramones family, wrote Tommy Ramone some comments for me.
As you know, Tommy is the surviving and founding member of the Ramones. Other founding members are passed away. Of course, spirits of the singer Joey Ramone (RIP 2001), bassist Dee Dee Ramone (RIP 2002) and guitarist Johnny Ramone (RIP 2004) were at the ceremony.
Only five Grammys were given out to the Ramones members: in addition to Tommy, Joey, Johnny and Dee Dee was grammy given to drummer Marky Ramone. Tommy Ramone, Marky Ramone, drummer Richie Ramone, Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh, Johnny Ramone's wife Linda Cummings, one Ramones manager John Cafiero, Ramones road manager Monte Melnick etc. were among of people who attended ceremony February 12, 2011. Richie had a speech related to Joey.
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.
You can read on my site what Tommy Ramone, Marky Ramone, Richie Ramone, Linda Cummings, Mickey Leigh and John Cafiero said in their speeches. Thanks Tara Stites of typing speeches. Read speeches on special section I created because of Grammy Awards, see section here.
Other recipients named were Julie Andrews, folk revivalists The Kingston Trio, Dolly Parton, jazz drummer and bandleader Roy Haynes, the Juilliard String Quartet and 102 year young gospel singer/composer George Beverly Shea. With the exception of the Ramones, all the lifetime honorees have won competitive Grammys.
In addition to the Ramones, the lifetime awards was posthumous for most of the founding members of the Kingston Trio. Two of the original members of the Juilliard String Quartet, formed in 1946, are still alive. British actress Julie Andrews, 75, became one of Hollywood's biggest stars by playing prim and cheery nannies in the 1960s movie musicals Mary Poppins and The Sound Of Music.
Also during the ceremony, Trustees Awards were presented to Al Bell, former vice president of Stax Records and one-time president of Motown Records; classical music producer and former Mercury Records vice president Wilma Cozart Fine, who was honored posthumously; and Bruce Lundvall, former president of Elektra Records and past head of Manhattan Records at EMI.
Technical Grammy Awards were presented to Roger Linn, designer of pioneering drum machines and founder of the company that designed guitar pedals for special musical effects; and Waves Audio, which pioneered the use of software applications with the invention of the Q10 Paragraphic equalizer. See special Grammy Awards section 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)
- Scottish longtime Ramones fan Martin Percival did long interview with the Ramones in 1992. That interview is now published first time, in issues 66 and 67 of The Big Takeover magazine. The Big Takeover is USA/Canadian magazine. Interview has lot photos and they are taken by longtime Ramones fans, like Jörg Buscher. (January 3, 2011)
- Here is interesting article related to Ramones song I Don't Want You, which final version is released on Road To Ruin album. This article is released at The Huffington Post and is written by Yasi Salek on December 15, 2010.
Article is written of Henry Rollins show. Henry Rollins often alludes to certain rare and unreleased tracks from his personal collection that he is unable to ever play on the radio without breaking the trust and confidences of the people who have bestowed these various records and tapes upon him.
This is information of the I Don't Want You written by Yasi Salek in her article:
"This was one of the most arm-hair raising tracks of the evening for me. Apparently this tape was found in Johnny Ramone's closet after he passed away (Johnny was also a bit of a hoarder) and his wife, Linda, entrusted it to Henry. The tape contained an acoustic version with just guitars and vocals of the song I Don't Want You recorded by Joey Ramone and given to Johnny Ramone in order for him to learn the song. Joey's version sounds like it was recorded in his bathroom but is still incredible, and with one listen it was clear the released version (which is also awesome) belied some of the profound aching Joey poured into that song."
Also Henry told of the Dee Dee's (officially unreleased Dee Dee King demo song) The Goon. The Goon is not so rare to find:
"Henry pull out the original press release about the Dee Dee King album (pretty sure they referred to him as a "hip-hop genius") he also played us this track of an unreleased demo for a song called The Goon (sample lyric: "I'm an expert at rappin' with the yo yo/I'm rocking the mic like a psycho"). And now my jaw hurts from throwing itself the floor." (December 21, 2010)
- The Ramones' song I Wanna Be Sedated has been cited both by National Public Radio as one of the 100 Most Important Musical Works of the 20th Century and Rolling Stone Magazine as the 144th greatest song of all time. (December 6, 2010)
- Debut issue of Vive Le Rock (United Kingdom) music magazine is out now. It has interviews with Ramones members, and as well with The Cure, Eddie Cochran, Gang Of Four, Hank 111, The Sweet, Devils Brigade, The Ruts, Manic Street Preachers and more. Also you will get a free 14 track CD including Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg's song When We Were Angels. Order online to get a 2 free CD's at www.vivelepunk.net. I will get more detailed information soon. (Updated: November 23, 2010)
- There is released Poland 4 Ramones: Tribute To Ramones tribute album in Poland. Publisher/label are Poland 4 Ramones and MB-BLE. Album is mixed in MaQ Records. CD has 20 bands. Some of those bands had translated songs from English to Polish.
Main man behind this Polish tribute album is Boogie Ramone. As Boogie explains, Poland 4 Ramones title you can also understand as Poland For Ramones. See more details here.
- VANS - Off The Wall "1966" - A European Skateboard Movie is a special hardback book with a photo documentary from Percy Dean as well as a 21 track CD. The DVD is over 45 minutes and features 10+ of the best skaters in Europe (Alain Saavedra, Ben Grove, Chris Pfanner, Hugo Liard etc.)
The CD includes one Ramones song, live version of the Psycho Therapy. Also CD has bands/ songs like Stiff Little Fingers: Alternative Ulster, Sonic Youth: (I Got A) Catholic Block, The Specials: Ghost Town, NOFX: Leave It Alone, The Stooges: Down On The Street and Pennywise: No Reason Why.
VANS is an American based manufacturer of sneakers etc. and other shoe types catering primarily to the skateboarder/surfer/snowboarder youth market. VANS also has Johnny Ramone collection, it includes shoes, jeans, T-shirt etc. (October 11, 2010)
- Great, great news. Richie Ramone is putting together a band. Richie is also writing original songs. Richie has surprise members in his band (surprises to most of the fans). We will provide more details soon.
As many of you fans knows, Richie has written many great Ramones songs: Somebody Put Something In My Drink, I Know Better Now, I'm Not Jesus, (You) Can't Say Anything Nice, Smash You and Humankind. By the way, it's strange how on some official album covers the title Humankind is written Human Kind. (November 3, 2010).
- What kind of tattoo would you do next for Arto Nikkanen?After the Volbeat show in Tampere, Finland, I met with Finnish Ramones fan Arto Nikkanen. He had really great Ramones tattoos. I only know few people whom back has this big Ramones tattoos.
A Russian Ramones fan Igor Checkryzhov (Igor Check), also has the first album pictured on his back etc. Later Igor tattooed faces of Richie, CJ and Marky to his back.
Arto Nikkanen (52 years old) asked from me ideas, what Ramones tattoo he would do next to his back? I thought to give you a chance to suggest. So what kind of tattoo would you do next for Arto Nikkanen? Send me your idea, click here. I promised to forward ideas for Arto.
I has included lot Ramones tattoos for my every book. For example I included for my Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives lot photos of CJ Ramone's tattoos I had taken of CJ without shirt, around 20 Ramones tattoos what fans has taken etc. Also photos of Dee Dee Ramone's tattoos. In addition to back tattoos, Igor Checkryzhov has the Greatest Hits cover on his right elbow, a Dee Dee Ramone photo from Greatest & Latest, Ramones zombies from We're a Happy Family tribute on his right shoulder etc. His tattoo is also a cover photo in Ramones: Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives. (October 29, 2010)
- Ramones' long time tour manager has created and released years ago really great On The Road With The Ramones book.
- A very special collectable hardcover edition of my book On The Road With The Ramones, will be available exclusively at Barnes & Noble book stores nationwide and online. It will be offered at a very special value price, ask for the hardcover edition, explains Monte Melnick.
Order special edition here.
Also there is available in October 2010, new German edition of Monte's book, German edition is titled Auf Tour Mit Den Ramones. Order German edition here: Auf Tour mit den Ramones
(October 5, 2010).- Ramones Museum Berlin celebrate its 2nd Anniversary on October 29-31, 2010. Special guests include Danny Fields (Ramones manager in early 70's), Arturo Vega (Ramones creative director), Monte Melnick (Ramones' long time tour manager) and George DuBose (official Ramones photographer and album cover designer etc.).
Events start every day 6PM. Free admission. Read more information here. (October 5, 2010)
- Tornado Ride Records (Italian label) will release soon The Martinets' album. The Martinets is Daniel Rey's band. Other members are Dave Rick (bassist), Eamonn Bowles (singer-guitarist) and Roger Murdock (drummer).
Daniel Rey produced Ramones album Adios Amigos, also produced Dee Dee Ramone's Zonked album, Joey's solo album Don't Worry About Me etc. Joey wanted to record also his other songs with Daniel in his final years. As well Daniel Rey wrote many songs together with Dee Dee and Joey to some of the Ramones albums etc. Songs like I Believe In Miracles, Poison Heart, Strength To Endure, Garden Of Serenity and Cretin Family. (October 4, 2010)
- Paul Zone's The New York Underground Scene 1972-1977 photograph
exhibition is still "touring", and that is great. It is landed now to
the Sugar And Spice gallery in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Opening night was
on September 4, 2010. Address: Gasthuismolensteeg 8a, 1016 AN
Amsterdam.
The exhibition is till the first week of November, 2010.
There are many rare Ramones photos on that exhibition, like of Dee Dee Ramone and Connie Gripp in 1975 (see right). Paul Zone saw David Bowie premier Ziggy Stardust at Carnegie Hall, Iggy Pop & The Stooges at the Electric Circus in 1971, the first ever performances by The New York Dolls at the Mercer Arts Cente etc. Zone was friends with the Ramones members before the Ramones was even formed. Beside of Joey Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, Johnny Ramone and Tommy Ramone Paul Zone has photographed for example Stiv Bator, Blondie, Alice Cooper, Wayne/Jayne County, New York Dolls, Kiss, Suicide, Marc Bolan, Ray Davies... Homepage of the gallery is here. (Updated: September 16, 2010)
- Marky Ramone, Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead), Michale Graves (ex-Misfits, Marky Ramone's Blitzrieg), Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big etc.), Jeff Duncan (Armored Saint) and Andy Hilfiger are having performance together on October 8, 2010.
This is a special all-star concert as benefit for the newly created Marky Ramone Drum Scholarship for Musicians Institute at the Musicians Institute Concert Hall at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California, USA. Marky is mainman in this show. Setlist has around 30 Ramones songs, such as I Wanna Be Sedated, The KKK Took My Baby Away, Psycho Therapy, Blitzkrieg Bop and Pinhead.
"I am much honored to be chosen as an artist for the scholarship program. Music for kids is very important to have," explains Marky.
100 percent of the event proceeds will fund the newly created Marky Ramone Drum Scholarship for Musicians Institute.
Online advance sale: general-admission seats (festival seating) are US$30, VIP seating is US$45 (guaranteed first 3 rows) and US$99 VIP Backstage (first three rows seating guaranteed. Backstage pass; after-show meet-and-greet; special Marky Ramone gift bag etc.)
Go to Ticketweb.com to buy tickets.
Walk-up tickets (bought at the day of show): general-admission seats (festival seating) are US$35, VIP seating is US$50 (guaranteed first 3 rows), VIP Backstage not available.
Address:
Musicians Institute Concert Hall
1655 N. McCadden Place
Hollywood, CA 90028
(September 15, 2010)
More Ramones news in my archive.
JOEY RAMONE:
- 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: October19, 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)
- Here is interesting article related to Ramones song I Don't Want You, which final version is released on Road To Ruin album. This article is released at The Huffington Post and is written by Yasi Salek on December 15, 2010.
Article is written of Henry Rollins show. Henry Rollins often alludes to certain rare and unreleased tracks from his personal collection that he is unable to ever play on the radio without breaking the trust and confidences of the people who have bestowed these various records and tapes upon him.
This is information of the I Don't Want You written by Yasi Salek in her article:
"This was one of the most arm-hair raising tracks of the evening for me. Apparently this tape was found in Johnny Ramone's closet after he passed away (Johnny was also a bit of a hoarder) and his wife, Linda, entrusted it to Henry. The tape contained an acoustic version with just guitars and vocals of the song I Don't Want You recorded by Joey Ramone and given to Johnny Ramone in order for him to learn the song. Joey's version sounds like it was recorded in his bathroom but is still incredible, and with one listen it was clear the released version (which is also awesome) belied some of the profound aching Joey poured into that song."
Also Henry told of the Dee Dee's (officially unreleased Dee Dee King demo song) The Goon. The Goon is not so rare to find:
"Henry pull out the original press release about the Dee Dee King album (pretty sure they referred to him as a "hip-hop genius") he also played us this track of an unreleased demo for a song called The Goon (sample lyric: "I'm an expert at rappin' with the yo yo/I'm rocking the mic like a psycho"). And now my jaw hurts from throwing itself the floor." (December 21, 2010)
- Joey Ramone Place street sign has stolen four times. The ceremonial street sign placed in his honor at the corner of Bowery and East Second Street had to be raised a full eight feet because thieving fans kept snatching it. Joey Ramone Place is perhaps the most stolen of the 250,900 street signs in New York, according to the Department of Transportation, which recently asked contractors to install the sign for the fourth time since 2003. Although most street signs are about 12 to 14 feet off the ground, Joey Ramone Place was raised to 20 feet. Read more information here. (September 27, 2010)
- Richie Ramone and Mickey Leigh visited in Brazil in June, 2010. Read and see here picture-story report of their trip written by Helio Volpato.
Here you can read first background of their visit. Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh opened a Joey Ramone Place punk rock merchandise store in Rio De Janeiro in Brazil in January, 2010. It is featuring mainly Joey Ramone, and punk related merchandise.
- In planning since July '08, it's finally open for business. Childhood friend Allen Brooks and family is running the operation. 20% of anything I make goes to charities for children in the favelas (slums). The soft opening was on January 30, 2010. This is really exciting and so amazing that even though he is not physically here, in Joey's name so much good can still be accomplished. What a Wonderful World!!, knows Mickey Leigh.
Address is: Joey Ramone Place, Rua Francisco Otaviano, 67/ Loja 46, Copacabana Rio De Janeiro RJ, 22080-040. Phone number: 25234604.
- The store is mostly Joey, and Ramones merchandise, shirts, dresses, stickers, pretty much the same items you see on the website store on Joeyramone.com. Hopefully there will be some new items that are more suited to Rio soon, like bikinis and things like that, wrote Mickey on April 5, 2010.
Richie's manager Tiffany wrote to me in April 15 and 19: "Richie Ramone is going to Brazil between June 9 to June 13, 2010 in connection with the Joey Ramone Place punk rock merchandise store. Richie and Mickey will be playing on June 11 and 12, 2010 in Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paolo. I'll let you know the venues when I know."
Probably there are also special T-shirts being made.
Some rumours not correct. Some people are told Tommy being there, but that is not true: "Nobody has contacted me about any of this. So I don't know anything about it. I have heard nothing about going to Rio or anywhere else in South America. I will make some phone calls over the weekend to see what is going on. Who is spreading this rumor?", Tommy wrote to me. (Updated: June 29, 2010).
- July 10, 2010, at the Bearsville Theater Lounge, Woodstock, New York, USA, Geraldine "Jeri Ramone" Rapetti was organised event related to book I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir. Read story of that night.
Here are infos what I had to promote this event.
Jeri Ramon of Guitar Principles has teached to play guitar for over 20 years to every type of student, from children to teenagers and young adults to senior citizens well into their 80's, as well as every style of guitar - folk, jazz, rock, blues, and the classical guitar.
Jeri wrote to me:
- I am a big fan of the Ramones in Woodstock, New York, and have read all your three books. I appreciate all your time and efforts to keep the Ramones legacy alive. You have inspired me to want to do the same! I thought it over for 6 months, what can I do to make a difference, to contribute to the Ramones legacy?
- I decided to do something here in Woodstock, NY through my company Guitar Principles. We are presenting an event on July 10, 2010, which will include a book reading of I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir, discussion, and signing by Mickey Leigh. Mickey will also perform with his band STOP, explains Jeri Ramone.
Event at the Bearsville Theater Lounge in Woodstock will begin at 8PM on July 10, 2010. Tickets are 15$ in advance and 20$ day of show. Tickets on sale now: Call 845-679-4406 or order on-line: www.bearsvilletheater.com. Guitar Principles page seems to be pretty incredible, visit their site and look for example video gallery and check out information her book titled The Principles Of Correct Practice For Guitar. (June 2, 2010)
- Joey Ramone's 59th birthday celebration was again in New York (2010). In January, 2010, Joey's brother Mickey Leigh confirmed Joey Ramone Birthday Bash being again on May 19th, 2010, once again at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza.
Joey Ramone Birthday Bash is memory event to our angel. It is organised yearly since 2001. Every year on May 19th...
April 6th, 2010, I got confirmation from Richie Ramone, that he will be playing at this year's Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. And he did. Tommy Ramone had no chance to attend event this year. CJ Ramone and Marky Ramone won't play at the Birthday Bash.
Line-up in this year was:
* Friends of Joey Ramone set: 1) Richie Ramone, 2) Mickey Leigh, 3) Walter Lure, 4) Cheetah Chrome, 5) Jean Beauvoir, 6) George Tabb, 7) Ivan Julian 8) Al Maddy, 9) JP Thunderbolt, 10) Ed Stasium, 11) Walt Stack, 12) Dave Merrill, 13) Holly Beth Vincent etc.
* The Independents.
* Jesse Malin & The St. Marks Social.
* Morningwood.
* Heap (band of David Merrill, Tim Heap, Frank Saitta and George Chambers).
* Spanking Charlene.
* Sic F*ucks.
* MC's: 1) Steve Craig, 2) Matt Pinfield and 3) Pete Ashner.
Steven Van Zandt (Little Steven) (as a MC) and HANK III (as a band) had to cancel their appearances.
Age limit was 16.
Irving Plaza is located at 17 Irving Place, on the corner of 15th Street and Irving Place. The club can easily be reached by subway (trains 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, and W to Union Square, also referred to as 14th Street).
Read picture-story report of my trip. Read and see it here. (Updated: June 1, 2010)
- From time to time some of you fans ask from me about Joey Ramone's glasses. Like many of you knows, Joey practically always used glasses (type of sunglasses) because of his eyes. I wanted to confirm few things now and I asked from Joey's brother Mickey Leigh (remember check out his and Legs McNeil's book I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir). Mickey wrote longer and I thought this is good information to everyone:
"Joey's glasses were custom made, they were not one particular brand that you could buy in a store. Basically, he picked out the frames at an optical store, gave them the prescription for the strength of the lenses, told them what color he wanted the lenses. Often they were not the exact color Joey wanted and had to send them back until he was satisfied. Also sometimes the frames were not the shape he liked and had to go to different places to find the frames with the exact shape and weight that he liked. Our mother Charlotte normally helped him with this getting his glasses. Sometimes having to send him a new pair if he would break his when on tour.", explained Mickey. (April 23, 2010)
- Chris Frantz of The Talking Head will begin his monthly radio show on March 26, 2010. The show is called Chris Frantz The Talking Head on WPKN 89.5 FM Bridgeport, CT, USA and WPKM 88.7 Montauck. The show is from 1:00 - 5:00. You can listen online at the station's website. http://www.wpkn.org.
His first guests (March 26, 2010) will be Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh who will be talking about his and Legs McNeil's book I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir and Bucks Burnett of Dallas, Texas, who will tell us about his new Eight Track Museum as recently featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. There will also be some cool new music never before heard on the air. (March 25, 2010)
- Tarakany! is formed in 1991. Tarakany! has been years Russia's best-known punk band and in 1992-2004 they sold more than 500 000 albums. Marky Ramone did three shows with Tarakany! in 2003 and in 2005 Marky and Tarakany! punkrocked sixteen shows in Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Czech Republic. See my report with photos of shows in Sweden here.
Singer Dmitry "Dima" Spirin came up with the idea of the "people's translation" of Mickey Leigh's and Legs McNeils's book titled I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir.
MGL2R, who is main guy behind of www.ramones.ru, explained me after I asked of great project.
- Dima was very excited about the whole story (book), so Dima asked me if I'd like to do the translations with him. I agreed. There's no books or films about the Ramones translated in Russian, but only Please Kill Me. I'm also doing some corrections, editing translated texts, adding the notes. Later on Dima came up with the idea of the "people's translation". It means that everybody who wants to help can join us. About 30 enthusiasts responded. We post one chapter a week on Tarakany!'s official blog. Prologue and three first chapters are done so far and the fourth one is on the way. I think I'll say for two of us that we have lots of respect to Mickey and Legs for their hard work on this book, explains MGL2R. (March 3, 2010)
- Mickey Leigh tells in his and Legs McNeils's book I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir of the recording Joey kind of produced for Mickey's band Purple Majesty in 1966.
- We (Purple Majesty's members) were 12 and Joey was 16. We recorded song In This Day An Age we'd actually written ourselves, and a cover of the Blues Project classic I Can't Keep From Crying. It still amazes me that Joey did that: at 16 Joey came to our rehearsals, well, it was just downstairs in our basement, but he heard the song we wrote, booked the time, paid for the session and "supervised' the recording. After searching for decades, the guitarist of that band just found his copy!!! I can't tell you how thrilled I am to hear this again. It's noisy and crackly, couple of skips, but it is certainly audible. I'm going to take it to a mastering studio and clean it up as much as possible. If not for my brother's enthusiasm and his love of being involved in every facet of rock & roll, I would not have this gem from my past, wrote Mickey in January, 2010. (February 1, 2010)
- In celebration of their 20th anniversary, Swedish rockers and punkers - Backyard Babies - released in late 2009 Them XX collection. Them XX has a 120-page photo-book, 3 CD's plus 1 DVD. CD1 is "best of" disc. One of those 12 tracks is a song entitled Friends.
Many of you may already know that Joey Ramone recorded Friends with Backyard Babies which is believed to be Joey's last recording with any band. The song Friends was first released on the Backyard Babies album entitled Stockholm Syndrome in 2003. All of my books has some interviews with BB members. In my second book Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone guitarist-singer Dregen explains longer of Friends and background of recordings. Like Joey was then already big fan of their song called Powderhead.
Them XX's CD3 begin with Pet Sematary. Swedish gentlemen recorded Ramones cover to The Song Ramones The Same tribute album (2002). CD's 2 and 3 has lot B-sides and rarities, live recordings etc.
Them XX's photo book has photo of Joey Ramone and bassist Johan Blomqvist. My latest book Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives has interview with Johan, it has also photos of Marky with a band in Sweden in 2005. Marky and I spent day-off and Backyard Babies were set to play a show that night. BB wanted Marky to be their special guest. At first Marky wasn't sure as he didn't know much about band, but soon changed his mind after I told him all about the band. (January 19, 2010)
More Joey Ramone news in my archive.
JOHNNY RAMONE:
- 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)
- The sixth annual Johnny Ramone and Ramones outdoor event
presented by Linda Ramone in association with the JRA (Johnny Ramone
Army), was on July 25, 2010, at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (6000
Santa Monica Blvd.) in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Gates were open at 6PM.
Guests
included Tommy Ramone, Metallica's guitarist Kirk Hammett, actresses
Rose McGowan, PJ
Soles (aka Riff Randell) and Dey Young (aka Kate Rambeau), actor Loren
Lester (aka Fritz Hansel) etc. PJ, Dey and Loren
were actresses in "Ramones movie" Rock And Roll Highschool. Also
there was chance to meet Richard Whitley and Russ Dvonch who were
screenwriters of Rock And Roll Highschool.In this event were shown Rock And Roll Highschool and one of Johnny's top ten 10# horror movie: James Whale's The Bride Of Frankenstein (1935).
Event had taken place in a area where is Johnny Ramone's memorial statue and Dee Dee Ramone's grave.
On July 25, 2010, was also autograph signings etc. Net proceeds benefit the Johnny Ramone Research Fund at USC Westside Prostate Cancer Research Center. Johnny's wife Linda and actress Rose McGowan appeared on Fox's Good Day L.A. The Good Day LA segment with Linda and Rose was aired live Thorsday July 22nd, 2010 starting at 9:20am on FOX 11 (USA).
Read here comments of event by Tommy Ramone, and fan comments by Joe and Debbie Lunardon and Tom Green. Also read information related to Kirk Hammett (Metallica) and the Metallica's connections to the Ramones. (Updated: July 31, 2010)
More Johnny Ramone news in my archive.
DEE DEE RAMONE
- 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).
- Here is interesting article related to Ramones song I Don't Want You, which final version is released on Road To Ruin album. This article is released at The Huffington Post and is written by Yasi Salek on December 15, 2010.
Article is written of Henry Rollins show. Henry Rollins often alludes to certain rare and unreleased tracks from his personal collection that he is unable to ever play on the radio without breaking the trust and confidences of the people who have bestowed these various records and tapes upon him.
This is information of the I Don't Want You written by Yasi Salek in her article:
"This was one of the most arm-hair raising tracks of the evening for me. Apparently this tape was found in Johnny Ramone's closet after he passed away (Johnny was also a bit of a hoarder) and his wife, Linda, entrusted it to Henry. The tape contained an acoustic version with just guitars and vocals of the song I Don't Want You recorded by Joey Ramone and given to Johnny Ramone in order for him to learn the song. Joey's version sounds like it was recorded in his bathroom but is still incredible, and with one listen it was clear the released version (which is also awesome) belied some of the profound aching Joey poured into that song."
Also Henry told of the Dee Dee's (unreleased Dee Dee King demo song) The Goon:
"Henry pull out the original press release about the Dee Dee King album (pretty sure they referred to him as a "hip-hop genius") he also played us this track of an unreleased demo for a song called The Goon (sample lyric: "I'm an expert at rappin' with the yo yo/I'm rocking the mic like a psycho"). And now my jaw hurts from throwing itself the floor." (December 21, 2010)
- Andrea Gallinini (Tornado Ride Records)
organise Dee Dee Ramone birthday/ memorial party at the MrMuzik OFF in
Modena, Italy on September 18, 2010. Dee Dee was born on September 18,
1952. At the MrMuzik OFF are playing Andrea's band The Leeches and
Lester
And The Landslide Ladies.
Andrea Gallinini run Italian label Tornado
Ride Records who has released
mainly LP's and 7' vinyls. Records like Walter Lure:
Live In Berlin (LP), Hamburg
Ramönes: Long Black Hair (LP), The Coverones' Ramones tribute
album, and records also by bands like The Chuck Norris Experiment,
Cowboy Prostitutes, The Wyldfyre etc.Some records Tornado Ride Records has released together with Nicotine Records (Italy), or Nicotine Records has released CD version and Tornado Ride Records vinyl version. One of those is Skinny Bones And The Gonedaddys album, one song on it is Shot My TV which Skinny Bones and Dee Dee Ramone wrote together. (September 10, 2010).
- Finally, there is a bigger memorial celebration what is really to our
dear Dee Dee Ramone. A birthday memorial, art exhibition to Dee Dee
Ramone is on September 18-26, 2010. Exhibition take place at the La Luz
De Jesus Gallery. Opening reception is at 8-11PM on September 18.
Admission to the exhibition is free and open to the general public.La Luz De Jesus Gallery: Homepage http://laLuzDeJesus.com.
Address: 4633 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.
At the La Luz De Jesus Gallery you will see an exhibition of over thirty original pieces by Dee Dee. Dee Dee's wife Barbara Zambini, Johnny's wife Linda, John Cafiero, and other have assembled an exhibition. You can see in a photo in left Barbara and some paintings.
Also are exhibited photos by amazing photographer Jenny Lens. The Ramones and their crew allowed Jenny Lens to follow them throughout their early tours. At the La Luz De Jesus Gallery will be available for purchase as oversized, signed, numbered, museum quality prints by Jenny Lens. Jenny will share her experiences with the Ramones at the opening night reception, September 18.
Barbara, Linda and Johnny are also proud to debut a special limited edition commemorative archival lithograph featuring one of Dee Dee's quintessential self-portraits Dee Dee Ramone: The Blue Dragon.
A portion of net proceeds from the sale of lithographs and photo prints will benefit the LA Regional Food bank via donation in Dee Dee's name.
Barbara Zampini explains idea of La Luz De Jesus Gallery exhibition: "It's wonderful to have the opportunity to share these rare works with fans to fully appreciate in person. Dee Dee's spirit truly lives in these paintings and when you experience them up close, its very obvious. He always talked about helping children & gave to the homeless all the time. Dee Dee was very generous, more than most will ever know. I think he'd be really proud that he continues to help people today through his art."
Read more information from my Dee Dee tribute section. (August 25, 2010)
- Skinny Bones is a familiar name for many Ramones fans. He has Ramones related background with many ways. The Ramones recorded and released three songs Marky Ramone and Skinny Bones wrote together: Anxiety and The Job That Ate My Brain in Mondo Bizarro and Have A Nice Day in Adios Amigos.
Skinny Bones also did some songs together with Dee Dee Ramone. One of those songs will be included in Shot My TV album by Skinny Bones And The Gonedaddys. Great Italian labels released Shot My TV, the Nicotine Records will release CD and Tornado Ride Records LP.
Skinny was also in the Resistance, he was first singer in Marky Ramone And The Intruders, and he wrote many songs together with Marky to Intruders debut album etc.
Skinny And The Gonedaddys will be doing a mini tour of France and Germany in support of their release, Shot My TV. The band will perform songs from their latest album and will also include many songs that Skinny had written with Dee Dee and Marky Ramone. Songs to be performed include The Job That Ate My Brain and Anxiety, in addition the Gonedaddys will play songs written by Dee Dee and Skinny: Nothing Is Innocent, Better Way To Live and others. - These songs have never performed live and the songs written with Dee Dee have never been released to date. This will be the only chance to hear these rare songs as well as the songs from Shot My TV. The Nicotine release has been getting great reviews and the album is also available on vinyl, tells Skinny.
Tour dates are:
June 2, 2010, Le Mojomatic, Montpellier, France. Show time: 22.00.
June 3, 2010, Thunderbird Lounge, Saint-Etienne, France. Show time: 22.00.
June 4, 2010, Holdem Saloon, Bordeaux, France. Also playing Wild Weekend. Show time: 22.00.
June 5, 2010, Mondo Bizarro, Rennes, France. Also playing Lipstick Vibrators. Show time: 22.00.
June 8, 2010, Haus, Kassel, Germany.
June 9, 2010, Hauptquartier, Aachen, Germany.
June 10, 2010, Die Kieler Schaubude, Kiel, Germany. Also playing Devils Day Off. Show time: 22.00.
June 11, 2010, Wild at Heart, Berlin, Germany. Show time: 22.00. (May 9, 2010)
More Dee Dee Ramone news in my archive.
TOMMY RAMONE:
- 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)
- Tommy Ramone wrote to me on March, 2011 that his and Claudia Tienan's duo band Uncle Monk are still working with their second album. The record is coming along well and Tommy hope to have it finished this summer.
Uncle Monk debut CD was released on March 16, 2006. More infos of Uncle Monk here. (Updated: March 7, 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).
- The sixth annual Johnny Ramone and Ramones outdoor event
presented by Linda Ramone in association with the JRA (Johnny Ramone
Army), was on July 25, 2010, at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (6000
Santa Monica Blvd.) in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Gates were open at 6PM.
Guests included Tommy Ramone, Metallica's guitarist Kirk Hammett, actresses
Rose McGowan, PJ
Soles (aka Riff Randell) and Dey Young (aka Kate Rambeau), actor Loren
Lester (aka Fritz Hansel) etc. PJ, Dey and Loren
were actresses in "Ramones movie" Rock And Roll Highschool. Also
there was chance to meet Richard Whitley and Russ Dvonch who were
screenwriters of Rock And Roll Highschool.In this event were shown Rock And Roll Highschool and one of Johnny's top ten 10# horror movie: James Whale's The Bride Of Frankenstein (1935).
Event had taken place in a area where is Johnny Ramone's memorial statue and Dee Dee Ramone's grave.
On July 25, 2010, was also autograph signings etc. Net proceeds benefit the Johnny Ramone Research Fund at USC Westside Prostate Cancer Research Center. Johnny's wife Linda and actress Rose McGowan appeared on Fox's Good Day L.A. The Good Day LA segment with Linda and Rose was aired live Thorsday July 22nd, 2010 starting at 9:20am on FOX 11 (USA).
Read here comments of event by Tommy Ramone, and fan comments by Joe and Debbie Lunardon and Tom Green. Also read information related to Kirk Hammett (Metallica) and the Metallica's connections to the Ramones. (Updated: July 31, 2010)
- Red Velvet Media's blogtalkradio has Ramones special on July 23, 2010, at 5PM USA Eastern Time/ 2PM USA Pacific Time. The guests are Tommy Ramone along with Ramones tour manager Monte Melnick. This is 1,5 hours long special also featuring surprise guest callers. This show is hosted by Holly Stephey and Rock Art Master Spencer Drate who is designer of some Ramones album covers. You can join show calling it: +1 347 677-1036. (July 19, 2010)
- Tommy Ramone's and Claudia Tienan's duo band is called Uncle Monk. Uncle Monk had first shows in 2006. Their first tour in Europe is in April 29-May 8, 2010. People in Ireland and North Ireland are lucky ones to welcome Tommy and Claudia to Europe. Read my interview with Tommy of Uncle Monk tour here. (April 15, 2010)
More Tommy Ramone news in my archive.
MARKY RAMONE:
- 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)
- David Divine Brooks is playing bass and writing songs for Priscilla. Priscilla did release their album Eight Lives on FnA Records in December, 2010. Eight Lives features 14 songs and is the follow-up to the High Fashion CD, which was released earlier in 2010 on Suncity Records. Priscilla does play glam rock etc. and you can listen songs in their MySpace.
As a background information why I connected Priscilla to the Ramones, is how David Divine was main singer in Marky Ramone's different line-up's for many years. David did his first show with Marky Ramone at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame event in Cleveland on June 26, 2003. The Ramones were voted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame the year earlier in 2002. Together with Marky and David then played Daniel Rey (bass) and guitarist C.J. Gunn (not CJ Ramone). David Divine sang his last shows with Marky Ramone in August-October, 2008. (December 19, 2010)
- Marky Ramone wrote him being together with Michale Graves on the Travel Channel's No Reservations program hosted by Anthony Bourdain. It is aired on December 6, 2010 at 10PM EST. You can see here YouTube clip. (December 5, 2010)
- As many of you knows, first song by Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg was published on January 10, 2010 via ITunes. Song is called When We Were Angels and in June, 2010, was published animated video of it. When We Were Angels is new version of song which Michale Graves has released in his Illusions album in 2007.
As a new information, they have follow-up song similar to When We Were Angels. But Marky says they don't wanna do album now, rather put out singles until they has 15-16 other songs. Marky don't wanna rush. October, 2010, Michale Graves also told they are writing new material. Michale did mention they plan to release another single this winter. They are also working with a USA tour. See tour dates here. (Updated: October 25, 2010).
- Marky Ramone, Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead), Michale Graves (ex-Misfits, Marky Ramone's Blitzrieg), Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big etc.), Jeff Duncan (Armored Saint) and Andy Hilfiger are having performance together on October 8, 2010.
This is a special all-star concert as benefit for the newly created Marky Ramone Drum Scholarship for Musicians Institute at the Musicians Institute Concert Hall at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California, USA. Marky is mainman in this show. Setlist has around 30 Ramones songs, such as I Wanna Be Sedated, The KKK Took My Baby Away, Psycho Therapy, Blitzkrieg Bop and Pinhead.
"I am much honored to be chosen as an artist for the scholarship program. Music for kids is very important to have," explains Marky.
100 percent of the event proceeds will fund the newly created Marky Ramone Drum Scholarship for Musicians Institute.
Online advance sale: general-admission seats (festival seating) are US$30, VIP seating is US$45 (guaranteed first 3 rows) and US$99 VIP Backstage (first three rows seating guaranteed. Backstage pass; after-show meet-and-greet; special Marky Ramone gift bag etc.)
Go to Ticketweb.com to buy tickets.
Walk-up tickets (bought at the day of show): general-admission seats (festival seating) are US$35, VIP seating is US$50 (guaranteed first 3 rows), VIP Backstage not available.
Address:
Musicians Institute Concert Hall
1655 N. McCadden Place
Hollywood, CA 90028
(September 15, 2010)
- Marky Ramone's twin brother Fred Bell have a new band Taost. His bandmate Dwayne C. wrote me they having soon radio premier at Marky's radio show Marky Ramone's Punk Rock Blitzkrieg. Marky will 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. (September 3, 2010)
- http://www.wohomusic.net has a
signed
drum skin for wohomusic members. It is signed by Marky
Ramone. The deadline for entries is midnight,
30th September 2010. Read more here,
how to join wohomusic and participate contest. (August 22,
2010)- Jon Wood of the http://www.wohomusic.net wrote to me them meeting up with Marky Ramone and they doing long interview with Marky on July 29, 2010. Interview is 48 minutes long and it is good how http://www.wohomusic.net put it to four pieces in their site and homepage. Mainly extensive interview has stories what Marky has told lot of times. But interview also has Marky's thoughs of new things.
In part 1 Marky Ramone explains how he got interested of music after seeing Beatles on TV etc. He listened to The Dave Clark Five, The Rolling Stones, Who etc. Also he explains how music scene was in New York in 1970's. As well personalities of him, Joey Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone and Johnny Ramone.
Marky feels it was a shame that Johnny and Joey didn't make up peace at the end. Sadly Marky himself also in this interview continue keeping negative things rolling in our Ramones family. He did it again to CJ Ramone and Richie Ramone. Like Marky says in part 3: "I am not saying I am the only one who keeps legacy alive, but people in newspapers and articles etc. are saying I am living legacy of the group. I am not. Tommy Ramone is still alive but he is not playing Ramones songs with his band, he is not playing drums. That is a difference. There are a lot of people keeping legacy alive in other groups, who will play Ramones songs." There is no any mention of CJ and Richie in this interview. There is still four living Ramones members: Tommy, Marky, Richie and CJ!
In part 2 Marky mainly explains of great RAW DVD he did with John Cafiero. He tells lot of End Of The Century album and of all rumours concerning it and studio sessions. Marky wanna again put information straight, how Phil Spector never pull gun out and pointed it to Dee Dee etc.
In part 3 Marky gets more relaxed and shows his funny side. Also tells openly of his drinking problem and good and bad times with Joey etc.
Part 4 has most new information. Marky Ramone explains of Marky Ramone Blitzkrieg's first recorded song and video When We Were Angels, how they got an E-mail from man from France who did animated video free. In the end of video there is written: "Produced by Marky Ramone & Callicore. CG artists: Laurent Mercier/ Xavier Semen. Head of production: Linda Mercier." Marky tells of the Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg, how Michale Graves became his lead singer. He explains of his pasta sauce, clothing collection, of his radio show Marky Ramone's Punk Rock Blitzkrieg... (August 22, 2010).
- Marky Ramone claims he's getting screwed out his cut of the Ramones' royalties, and now Marky is trying to legally get what he thinks he deserves. Marky is plaintiff and there are five separated defendants in a lawsuit paper what has 17 pages. Marky and the Ramones entities entered into a written agreement dated September 23, 2005, which expressly obligated the Ramones entities to pay Marky royalties in connection with certain master recordings, compositions, and merchandise exploited by entities. From the effective date of the 2005 agreement, through approximately 2008, the Ramones entities etc. rendered intermittent statements and payments attributable to the 2005... Since mid-2008 Marky Ramone has repeatedly demanded that past due statements and payments be rendered: the Ramones entities have refused. So Marky claims the people in charge of distributing royalties completely snubbed their 2005 contract, pocketing cuts of Ramones money that didn't belong to them, shafting Marky in the process. Marky Ramone has counted it is 175 000 US$, and over one million US$ in punitive damages.
This is not so simple than most Ramones members thinks. Marky certainly has some reason to do this. Anyway always sad when new fights gotta happen related to the Ramones. (July 19, 2010)
- Marky Ramone has shows in Europe in July-October, 2010. See all dates here. Also he will do a DJ set and has a fan meeting. July 16, 2010, Marky will do a DJ set at Sala Razzmatazz, Barcelona, Spain. Day before, July 15, Marky Ramone has a meeting with fans at Fnac El Triangle in Barcelona. Marky tells more: "I will present my two new single releases Wonderful World in Spanish produced and arranged by yours truly playing the drums, and Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg song original written by singer Michael Graves When We Were Angels."
and Marky continues: "On the July 16th, I will participate in the 25th anniversary of the most important Music Radio Show in Spain, Tarda Tarda. My friend Jordi (director of the program), has set up a big party with many guests. A lot of surprises will be guaranteed. You will see it live on the Catalan TV, or on the Internet (http://www.tv3.cat). I want to wish Jordi another 25 successful years, and thank him for his support through the years. After the party of Tarda Tarda, I will see you all at the famed Razzmatazz venue on the 16th of July. doing my DJ set you," explains Marky Ramone. (July 5, 2010)
- First song by Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg was published on January 10, 2010 via ITunes. Song is called When We Were Angels and in June, 2010, was published animated video of it. When We Were Angels is new version of song which Michale Graves has released in his Illusions album in 2007.
Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg line-up is: drummer Marky Ramone, singer Michale Graves (ex-Misfits), guitarist Alex Kane (Antiproduct) and bassist Clare (Antiproduct etc.). See more details of song with my comments below (news written in January, 2010). (July 3, 2010).
- Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg has shows in Italy, Switzerland and UK in July, 2010. See all shows listed here. (June 18, 2010)
- Skinny Bones is a familiar name for many Ramones fans. He has Ramones related background with many ways. The Ramones recorded and released three songs Marky Ramone and Skinny Bones wrote together: Anxiety and The Job That Ate My Brain in Mondo Bizarro and Have A Nice Day in Adios Amigos.
Skinny Bones also did some songs together with Dee Dee Ramone. One of those songs will be included in Shot My TV album by Skinny Bones And The Gonedaddys. Great Italian labels released Shot My TV, the Nicotine Records will release CD and Tornado Ride Records LP.
Skinny was also in the Resistance, he was first singer in Marky Ramone And The Intruders, and he wrote many songs together with Marky to Intruders debut album etc.
Skinny And The Gonedaddys will be doing a mini tour of France and Germany in support of their release, Shot My TV. The band will perform songs from their latest album and will also include many songs that Skinny had written with Dee Dee and Marky Ramone. Songs to be performed include The Job That Ate My Brain and Anxiety, in addition the Gonedaddys will play songs written by Dee Dee and Skinny: Nothing Is Innocent, Better Way To Live and others. - These songs have never performed live and the songs written with Dee Dee have never been released to date. This will be the only chance to hear these rare songs as well as the songs from Shot My TV. The Nicotine release has been getting great reviews and the album is also available on vinyl, tells Skinny.
Tour dates are:
June 2, 2010, Le Mojomatic, Montpellier, France. Show time: 22.00.
June 3, 2010, Thunderbird Lounge, Saint-Etienne, France. Show time: 22.00.
June 4, 2010, Holdem Saloon, Bordeaux, France. Also playing Wild Weekend. Show time: 22.00.
June 5, 2010, Mondo Bizarro, Rennes, France. Also playing Lipstick Vibrators. Show time: 22.00.
June 8, 2010, Haus, Kassel, Germany.
June 9, 2010, Hauptquartier, Aachen, Germany.
June 10, 2010, Die Kieler Schaubude, Kiel, Germany. Also playing Devils Day Off. Show time: 22.00.
June 11, 2010, Wild at Heart, Berlin, Germany. Show time: 22.00. (May 9, 2010)
- I wrote in December, 2009, how more Marky Ramone's designed products are available. He has designed a custom drumstick for Vic Firth. Vic Firth's press release tells: "With the diameter between a 5A and 5B. it is a medium shaft stick with a short taper and a barrel tip. The 16 3/8" length has plenty of reach and "plays big" without being too big to handle."
Also Marky Ramone's Brooklyn's Own Pasta Sauce is now 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 tells, they are close to finding the right distribution company for pasta sauce. Joe and Debbie Lunardon wrote comments of sauce in March 4, 2010: "We finally found Marky's pasta sauce at House of Blues Anaheim. It was given the thumbs up by their chef and we have to admit it was very good with a real fresh taste (nice job Marky). The only drawback was that it was kind of pricey at US$10.50 a jar." (Updated: March 4, 2010)
- Marky Ramone's first instructional DVD is available now in North
America (release date: January 26, 2010). Publisher is Music Sales
America. DVD is in stores and also can
do online order via halleonard.com.
DVD's length is 64 minutes. DVD is titled Marky Ramone - Punk Rock
Drumming His Way For Beginners. Marky shows you his secrets to drumming, such as how to set up your kit, how to warm up and pace yourself, and most of all: how to make it look easy. Marky breaks down every punk beat, groove, and fill for the beginner and pro alike, in a very clear and easily understood way. From stick and grip choice, Marky goes on to cover: differences between rock and punk drumming; fast "punk" eight notes, beats, fills, and grooves; alternate time signatures, and more. (February 4, 2010).
- First song by Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg is now available via ITunes. It was published on January 10, 2010. Song is called When We Were Angels. This is new version of song which Michale Graves has released in his Illusions album in 2007.
Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg line-up is: drummer Marky Ramone, singer Michale Graves (ex-Misfits), guitarist Alex Kane (Antiproduct) and bassist Clare (Antiproduct etc.). Some of you people who are visiting my site regularly, are asked comments of When We Were Angels. I write them also here because everyone has no chance to download When We Were Angels from Itunes (you gotta download and install Itunes program, pay song with credit card etc.).
I was pretty surprised how pop is also this version of When We Were Angels. This four minutes long version has no attitude what I personally expected and hoped. Of Marky's ex-line-up's Marky Ramone & The SpeedKings is my favourite, and they played tight together and had rawk'N'punk attitude. When We Were Angels is loose, soft and boring, and somehow in my mind result is connected to the bands who are looking for to get airplay from MTV. Everyone can decide is it good or bad. Seems like there is no taken any risks when song is recorded. This version needs some attitude. It is good that Marky's drums are mixed again to the top. Graves is a great singer, but in this version he is not in his right level. Now he really sounds like pop singer. Let's hope Marky Ramone, Michale Graves, Clare and Alex Kane just wanted to show their soft side first. And then something much better is coming. Something how their live shows are.
Marky had premier to the song on his radio show Marky Ramone's Punk Rock Blitzkrieg on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio. 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. Now is 5th anniversary of Punk Rock Blitzkrieg radio show. (Updated: January 20, 2010)
More Marky Ramone news in my archive.
RICHIE RAMONE:
- Richie Ramone recorded as a guest album together with Canadian punk band the Rock N Roll Rats. Album comes (LP format and MP3 download) out soon. More information in one or few weeks... (May 9, 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- Great, great news. Richie Ramone is putting together a band. Richie is also writing original songs. Richie has surprise members in his band (surprises to most of the fans). We will provide more details soon.
As many of you fans knows, Richie has written many great Ramones songs: Somebody Put Something In My Drink, I Know Better Now, I'm Not Jesus, (You) Can't Say Anything Nice, Smash You and Humankind. By the way, it.s strange how on some official album covers the title Humankind is written Human Kind. (November 3, 2010).
- Richie Ramone and Mickey Leigh visited in Brazil in June, 2010. Read and see here picture-story report of their trip written by Helio Volpato.
Here you can read first background of their visit. Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh opened a Joey Ramone Place punk rock merchandise store in Rio De Janeiro in Brazil in January, 2010. It is featuring mainly Joey Ramone, and punk related merchandise.
- In planning since July '08, it's finally open for business. Childhood friend Allen Brooks and family is running the operation. 20% of anything I make goes to charities for children in the favelas (slums). The soft opening was on January 30, 2010. This is really exciting and so amazing that even though he is not physically here, in Joey's name so much good can still be accomplished. What a Wonderful World!!, knows Mickey Leigh.
Address is: Joey Ramone Place, Rua Francisco Otaviano, 67/ Loja 46, Copacabana Rio De Janeiro RJ, 22080-040. Phone number: 25234604.
- The store is mostly Joey, and Ramones merchandise, shirts, dresses, stickers, pretty much the same items you see on the website store on Joeyramone.com. Hopefully there will be some new items that are more suited to Rio soon, like bikinis and things like that, wrote Mickey on April 5, 2010.
Richie's manager Tiffany wrote to me in April 15 and 19: "Richie Ramone is going to Brazil between June 9 to June 13, 2010 in connection with the Joey Ramone Place punk rock merchandise store. Richie and Mickey will be playing on June 11 and 12, 2010 in Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paolo. I'll let you know the venues when I know."
Probably there are also special T-shirts being made.
Some rumours not correct. Some people are told Tommy being there, but that is not true: "Nobody has contacted me about any of this. So I don't know anything about it. I have heard nothing about going to Rio or anywhere else in South America. I will make some phone calls over the weekend to see what is going on. Who is spreading this rumor?", Tommy wrote to me. (Updated: June 29, 2010).
- James Greene, Jr. recently interviewed Richie Ramone. James write for Crawdaddy.com. Richie tells in this interview for example reasons why he quit, of photo session by George DuBose where Richie is holding a chimp, of song credits, of his West Side Story piece etc. Read interview here. (June 10, 2010)
- Richie Ramone and his manager Tiffany wrote to me Richie Ramone is going to Brazil between June 9 to June 13, 2010 in connection with the Joey Ramone Place punk rock merchandise store. Richie and Joey Ramone.s brother Mickey Leigh will be playing in Sao Paolo, Brazil in June 11 and in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in June 12, 2010.
Richie will be guest DJ at Club Vegas, Sao Paulo on June 10, 2010. Richie and Mickey also has autograph session at the Joey Ramone Store in Rio De Janeiro in June 12, 2010. Richie and Tiffany told, .probably there are also special T-shirts being made..
Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh opened a Joey Ramone Place punk rock merchandise store in Rio De Janeiro in Brazil in January, 2010. It is featuring mainly Joey Ramone, and punk related merchandise.
- In planning since July '08, it's finally open for business. Childhood friend Allen Brooks and family is running the operation. 20% of anything I make goes to charities for children in the favelas (slums). The soft opening was on January 30, 2010. This is really exciting and so amazing that even though he is not physically here, in Joey's name so much good can still be accomplished. What a Wonderful World!!, knows Mickey Leigh.
Address is: Joey Ramone Place, Rua Francisco Otaviano, 67/ Loja 46, Copacabana Rio De Janeiro RJ, 22080-040. Phone number: 25234604.
- The store is mostly Joey, and Ramones merchandise, shirts, dresses, stickers, pretty much the same items you see on the website store on Joeyramone.com. Hopefully there will be some new items that are more suited to Rio soon, like bikinis and things like that, wrote Mickey on April 5, 2010.
Some rumours not correct. Some people are told Tommy being there, but that is not true: "Nobody has contacted me about any of this. So I don't know anything about it. I have heard nothing about going to Rio or anywhere else in South America. I will make some phone calls over the weekend to see what is going on. Who is spreading this rumor?", Tommy wrote to me. (Updated: June 7, 2010).
- Richie Ramone was at Xavier High School as he told me in New York in May, 2010. Richie had spoken word kind of chat and he also jammed with the Xavier Band. Idea to ask Richie Ramone to visit to school was by Dr. Bill Pace, Xavier's band moderator. He had heard Richie's interview on WFMU radio channel. Bill Pace wrote afterwards for example: "During the interview I became impressed to learn that while still in high school, Richie had studied with Dave Brubeck's drummer, Joe Morello, and that Richie won several state contests for snare drum and timpani. He went on to describe how he has recently arranged the entire score for a pops orchestra concert of Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story that features his drumming in the style of Buddy Rich.
Richie did a great job inspiring our students to apply their interest in music passionately and to be a serious student of music. The Ramones drummer arrived at Xavier ready to jam with the Xavier band, performing several jazz-rock arrangements with the big band, coaching student small groups, and speaking on his experiences in the famous punk rock band and beyond.
Richie urged the 50 students in attendance to practice incessantly and to learn to read music. "You can learn to play a lot of things, but you'll always be limited if you can't read music." He also spoke on various topics such as the music industry, his daily practice regimen and his home recording setup."
Read story here and see also video clip. (June 4, 2010)
- Joey Ramone's 59th birthday celebration was again in New York (2010). In January, 2010, Joey's brother Mickey Leigh confirmed Joey Ramone Birthday Bash being again on May 19th, 2010, once again at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza.
Joey Ramone Birthday Bash is memory event to our angel. It is organised yearly since 2001. Every year on May 19th...
April 6th, 2010, I got confirmation from Richie Ramone, that he will be playing at this year's Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. And he did. Tommy Ramone had no chance to attend event this year. CJ Ramone and Marky Ramone won't play at the Birthday Bash.
Line-up in this year was:
* Friends of Joey Ramone set: 1) Richie Ramone, 2) Mickey Leigh, 3) Walter Lure, 4) Cheetah Chrome, 5) Jean Beauvoir, 6) George Tabb, 7) Ivan Julian 8) Al Maddy, 9) JP Thunderbolt, 10) Ed Stasium, 11) Walt Stack, 12) Dave Merrill, 13) Holly Beth Vincent etc.
* The Independents.
* Jesse Malin & The St. Marks Social.
* Morningwood.
* Heap (band of David Merrill, Tim Heap, Frank Saitta and George Chambers).
* Spanking Charlene.
* Sic F*ucks.
* MC's: 1) Steve Craig, 2) Matt Pinfield and 3) Pete Ashner.
Steven Van Zandt (Little Steven) (as a MC) and HANK III (as a band) had to cancel their appearances.
Age limit was 16.
Irving Plaza is located at 17 Irving Place, on the corner of 15th Street and Irving Place. The club can easily be reached by subway (trains 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, and W to Union Square, also referred to as 14th Street).
Read picture-story report of my trip. Read and see it here. (Updated: June 1, 2010)
More Richie Ramone news in my archive.
CJ RAMONE/ WARD
- CJ Ramone wrote in March, 2012:
"Wanted to let you know I will be recording my new album Reconquista very soon. This album is my tribute to Johnny, Joey, and Dee Dee so I am putting everything I have got into it, wrote CJ.
AND HERE ARE OLDER infos on my site related to this album.
CJ said 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." (Those songs not published yet).
And in late August, 2011, CJ updated: "Gotta get my new CD finished up. Want it ready for the spring (2012)!
And in early October, 2011, CJ explained more how record is going to be: "The album really is a tribute to The Ramones. I did not sit down and say, "I am going to write Ramones sounding songs." I wrote Three Angels On My Shoulder song as a tribute to Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee and Tommy. It was my moment of thanking them for everything they did before I came along and for all the great times I had in my life as a fan. It is a lot like a Ramones record. It has everything from the Joey and Dee Dee type of pop love songs to more of the hardcore style stuff. These are songs that I have written over the course of the last couple of years and I am really excited to get it finished up and get it out. Album will be called Reconquista. That is kind of how I see this album. It is me kind of taking back a little bit of my musical life. I have not liked any new music for a long time.(Updated: March 13, 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 said 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."
And in late August, 2011, CJ updated: "Gotta get my new CD finished up. Want it ready for the spring (2012)!
And in early October, 2011, CJ explained more how record is going to be: "The album really is a tribute to The Ramones. I did not sit down and say, "I am going to write Ramones sounding songs." I wrote Three Angels On My Shoulder song as a tribute to Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee and Tommy. It was my moment of thanking them for everything they did before I came along and for all the great times I had in my life as a fan. It is a lot like a Ramones record. It has everything from the Joey and Dee Dee type of pop love songs to more of the hardcore style stuff. These are songs that I have written over the course of the last couple of years and I am really excited to get it finished up and get it out. Album will be called Reconquista. That is kind of how I see this album. It is me kind of taking back a little bit of my musical life. I have not liked any new music for a long time. (Updated: 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)
- 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.
October, 2010, arrived sad news. The former singer of hardcore band Out Cold and member of Bad Chopper, Mark Sheehan passed away on October 1, 2010, in his hometown Dracut, MA, USA. Mark Sheehan, 41, died unexpectedly. His love of music saw him transition between numerous roles, including guitar, bass, vocals, drums, even recording/producing. He played for Bad Chopper drums and guitar. (October 5, 2010)
- Mirjam Kolb & Manuel Schreiner had written a book entitled My Way Into Rock'n'Roll: 34 Storys Von Anfängen Und Erfolgen. It is in German. Book got published on September 2, 2010. Book has interviews with CJ Ramone, Francis "Fran" Healy of the Travis, Sven Regener of the Element Of Crime etc. etc. They asked from all 34 artists/bands exactly same questions, and that isn't so good.
CJ Ramone's part at the My Way Into Rock'n'Roll: 34 Storys Von Anfängen Und Erfolgen, is eight pages long. Page 2 has a photo of Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee and Marky... Other pages has four photos and scans of two backstage passes. Otherwise pages are full of text.
Two of photos are a bit rare, one is from the time when CJ Ramone was in the Marines and another is taken from show CJ had played as a teenager. Third photo is a live shot of the Joey and CJ, and fourth has CJ Ramone singing and playing at his solo show together with Daniel Rey and Brant Bjork. (Updated: September 10, 2010)
- CJ Ramone supported succesfully Walk Now For Autism event in 2009 and now he does same in October, 2010. The fundraising Walk Now For Autism was on June 14, 2009. CJ's fundraising goal was 2,500.00 US$. June 16, 2009, was donated 3075.00 dollars.
CJ Ramone wrote to me on April 19, 2010:
"For the second year I'll be participating in the Walk Now For Autism Speaks fundraiser. This time we'll be walking on Long Island at Jones Beach State Park, Field 5, Wantagh, NY, USA on October 3, 2010."
CJ Ramone also wrote to me on August 23, 2010, he wrote for example how he will do also something else at the walk:
"Thanks to everyone who has donated to support Autism Speaks by supporting our team. Just wanted to send out one more e-mail to let you know I'll be either performing or speaking at the walk."
Follow the link to make a donation. CJ writes on that page: "Thanks to everyone who supported Team CJ Ramone last year. I'm asking for your support again this year and hope to raise even more on behalf of Team CJ Ramone and my son Liam who is autistic.
Liam's progress since last year's 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 a donation to support Autism Speaks, CJ Ramone explained."
People who has given donation can also join and walk with Team CJ Ramone.
On August 23rd, 2010, donations were given by me, Paolo di Gaetano, Anne and Scott Danziger, Trigger, John Evicci, Monte Melnick, Donna Gaines, Les and Nancy (Belgium), Mick Punk (Mick Brin), Conor Hartnett, Dan Farrell, Diederik van der Sijpe, Robert May, Wes Smalling, Mike Metal, Wayne Thomas, McNair Family, and Malone family.
General information of walk: "Walk Now for Autism Speaks is a fun-filled, family friendly event and is our single most powerful force to fund vital research that will lead us to the answers we need. Experience the power of thousands united by a single cause by joining Walk Now for Autism Speaks. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disorder . we need more volunteers to join our fight. Whether this is your first walk or the 10th, take the first step and register today.
Every 20 minutes, another family receives the devastating news that their child has autism."
In 2009, many fans and I gave smaller donation (mininum 20$). Most of the donations were told publicly, and I think it is OK to mention some. Bigger donations were given for example by Mary Carroll's pub (500$), Johnny Ramone's wife Linda (300$), Trigger of The Continental (100$), Arturo Vega (100$), and Robert May (100$). (August 23, 2009)
- CJ Ramone and "Ramones producer" Daniel Rey started touring together in July, 2009, and third member in their trio was 1,5 years Brant Bjork of Kyuss and Fu Manchu. Brant's last shows with CJ and Daniel were in Japan in February, 2010.
Brant Bjork released Gods & Goddesses album in late March, 2010 (in Europe and in USA). Brant released his first solo Jalamanta in 1999. Devon Wendell wrote to The International Review Of Music of Gods & Goddesses: "Though Brant Bjork hasn't received the same acclaim in the U.S as he has in Europe, his God's & Goddessess, speaks to the anxiety and uncertainty existing in America today, and the influences of American blues, classic rock, and early punk are clearly present. The album's sense of agony and hopelessness rises and falls like a rollercoaster, with stellar production by Ethan Allen. The band, consisting of Billy Cordell (ex-bassist of The Yawning Man), guitarist Brandon Henderson and Italian drummer Giampaolo Farnedi, sounds tight yet dirty, reminiscent of early Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Sister Ray era Velvet Underground...." Read whole review here.
Brant Bjork has/had a tour in March-April in Europe. I did an newspaper interview with Brant on April 28, 2010. In addition to Hellfest Open Air festival in France on June 20, 2010, Brant told me, some more summer festival dates will be confirmed, like one in Spain and couple in Germany.
Brant had great memories of shows with CJ and Daniel. Read picture-story report of my days in CJ Ramone's tour in Leipzig and Berlin in 2009.
In April 28, 2010, I asked Brant's opinion if he would like to play with CJ and Daniel in future?: "If CJ calls me up and ask me to play and I am not busy touring, I would love to do it again." (Updated: April 28, 2010)
- Michael Stamberg (March, 2010 ->) is a new drummer in CJ Ramone's trio. Third member is "Ramones producer" Daniel Rey. Michael Stamberg is also the drummer in Eggplant Queens, Project Floyd (Pink Floyd tribute band), The Art Of The Topless, as well an actor. See tour dates here.
I asked from CJ how he knows with Michael. CJ wrote to me in April 27, 2010: "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."
Shows in 2009 and in January-February, 2010, CJ and Daniel played with the Brant Bjork. Brant released Gods & Goddesses in late March, 2010 (in Europe and in USA) and started doing solo shows again. (Updated: April 27, 2010)
- CJ's bass got stolen. Help to find it. Yuki Kuroyanagi of the Ramones Fan Club Japan (and author of the I Love Ramones book) wrote me of CJ's bass got stolen in Tokyo, Japan in February, 2010. CJ's original custom Mosrite bass (only one) got stolen by somebody. Yuki and other fans are trying to find it in Japan. But instruments can also be sold easily to other countries. Keep watching after instrument on Ebay and other net and regular stores etc. Bad guy can't sell it easily. Also bass is easy to recognize as it has serial number: "000CJ." If you has some information, please send me an E-mail here.
See photos of bass in a section of CJ's shows on my site here. (February 22, 2010)
- In January-February, 2010, CJ Ramone had play three shows in Tokyo, Japan, one at the Continental club in New York and one in Canada etc. He did confirm line-up: CJ Ramone will play these shows also with "Ramones producer" Daniel Rey and Brant Bjork of Kyuss/ Fu-Manchu. Show at the Continental 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. In addition to CJ Ramone, Daniel Rey and Brant Bjork night will also feature Cheetah Chrome (ex-Dead Boys), Walter Lure's band The Waldos, Lenny Kaye, Bebe Buell, The Bullys, Heap, Charm School, Two Man Advantage, Sea Monster and Trigger's Allstars. Adele Holzman wrote and Michele Lanci-Altomare photographed this show at The Continental. Read and see review here. (January 9, 2010)
- CJ Ramone is going into the studio with "Ramones producer" Daniel Rey and Brant Bjork (Kyuss/ Fu-Manchu) in January 2010, to record a new album. They has shows in Japan in February.
More CJ Ramone news in my archive.