- There are also plans to make an film of the book I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir. So movie is based to the book Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh and punk chronicler Legs McNeil wrote. I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir was released by Touchstone/Simon & Schuster on December 1st, 2009.
Mickey Leigh wants Johnny Depp to play Dee Dee Ramone in the film adaptation of this new book (see below). Mickey is convinced an unknown should play Joey Ramone in the biopic, which is currently in the hands of producer Rory Rosegarten, but he has a few suggestions for the supporting cast.
Mickey quips: "Maybe Howard Stern could play Joey. It's not up to me so I haven't really thought about it but, just for kicks... they're talking about an unknown... Maybe Adrien Brody - he's a tall skinny guy. I think Kevin Bacon would be great to play Johnny Ramone; he's a musician... and maybe Johnny Depp to play Dee Dee if he'd take on a small role."
Btw, sadly this news was spreaded widely to internet with a mistake (I do not know original source). It is: "...Mickey Leigh wants Johnny Depp to play Dee Dee Ramone in the film adaptation of his new book I Slept With JOHNNY Ramone." Of course it should be I Slept With Joey Ramone. (December 18, 2009)
- Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh and punk chronicler Legs McNeil has
been writing for many years authorized bio of the Joey called I Slept
With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir. I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family
Memoir is explained to be the story of
the Ramones and the rise of punk music, and a touching memoir about
brotherhood from Joey Ramone's brother. READ
LATEST NEWS OF THIS BOOK HERE
Earlier infos: Mickey wrote in spring 2008: "You gotta wait a little longer. I want this book to be great. There were so many incredible stories it's been hard to cut it down. The rough manuscript I finished last year was 770 pages long. I am finally doing the final editing and book will be out in 2009 by Touchstone/Simon & Schuster."
Legs McNeil wrote in October 28, 2008, that book is hysterically funny, and also a tragic read - just like is his earlier book Please Kill Me. Mickey Leigh wrote to me in late June, 2009, that book is schedule to come out on December 1, 2009. In that official release date at 7PM, Barnes & Nobles Booksellers (Barnes & Noble Tribeca, 97 Warren St., NYC.) hosts the launch of book. Legs McNeil will interview then Mickey Leigh, there is also Q&A and book signing to the fans.
So the rough manuscript Mickey had, was 770 pages long. Final version is hardcover and it has 416 pages. You can pre-order this book for example from Amazon.co.uk
or from Amazon.com
(Updated: September 9,
2009)- Ramones fan named Kimmi Ramone does organise 1st Annual Joey Ramone's Rock To Cure Cancer benefit event on August 28-29, 2009. Event take place at JD's Place in New York (address: 1005B Fulton Street (Rte 109), Farmingdale, NY 11735. Phone: 631-755-8695).
MC's for the event will be friends of Joey's: Roger Risko, and Peter Aschner. Peter MC'ed Joey Ramone Birthday Bash in 2009. Also there will be Evelyn Licore, President of the brand new Long Island Lymphoma Group, survivor herself (15 years). She will have a speech.
- We will also be auctioning off some very special items. My friend Monte Melnick, the Ramones tour manager, has graciously sent me an original, very special, autographed photo of the Ramones. There will also be a painting of Joey done by a great young artist and a drawing of Joey done by me, tells Kimmi Ramone.
Following bands will play on Friday August 28th:
6PM Matt Cutillo, 7PM Spines, 8PM Soul To Squeeze, 9PM Status Joe, 10PM Baghdaddios, 11PM Commando, 12:00 Pete Sanchez, and 1AM Necromance.
Following bands will play on Saturday August 29th:
12:00 (midday) Otan Vargus, 1PM The Alec & The Ahlbrandts, 2PM Daryl Read, 3PM LaVey, 4PM Soma, 5PM A.S.O.M., 6PM Baghdaddios, 7PM The Dirty Shames, 8PM Ramoones, 9PM Bowery Boys, 10PM Pete Sanchez, 11PM Freedomhead, 12 Chupacabra, and 1AM Demon Boy.
- Anyone who can possibly make it to this event please come out and join us! We are going to have a great time honoring our beloved Joey. We plan to do this every year. We all love Joey and we hope to make him proud. We hope we can do justice to his memory, says Kimmi. (August 20, 2009).
- Joey Ramone Birthday Bash was again organised on May 19, 2009. It is Joey Ramone memory event which has been organised since 2001.: It was at the same place as last year, The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza.
See here things of the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2009 written by me and photos.
Here is little review/story at Spin.com.
Performers: - The Friends Of Joey Ramone featured Richie Ramone, Mickey Leigh, Jean Beauvoir, Handsome Dick Manitoba, Al Maddy, Ivan Julian, George Tabb, Joey Lanz, Walt Stack, Arno Hecht, David Merrill, Andy Hilfiger, Tish & Snooky and others.
- Uncle Monk featuring Tommy Ramone & Claudia Tienan.
- Fishbone.
- Supersuckers
- Death, there is two band called Death. Link is to that Death who play on May 19, 2009. Mickey also asked me to link for their article.
- Bebe Buell had in her band for example Kitty Kowalski.
- Rough Francis.
- Tom Clark & The High Action Boys. Tickets for the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2009 were 25 USdollars. MC's were Matt Pinfield, John Holmstrom and Pete Ashner. Admission to the show was 16 years of age and up. Irving Plaza's location: 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).
(Updated: May 15, 2009)
- CBGB's Presents Remembering Joey Ramone. An hour of stories, anecdotes, and reflection. Monday, May 18, 2009 - 3pm EST. This is an online chat and you can register for it here. This is featuring:
Mickey Leigh: Joey's Brother, musician & author.
Dave Frey: Longtime friend and manager.
Ira Robbins of Trouser Press will moderate. Ira is long-time NY music journalist and co-founder ofTrouser Press magazine. (May 16, 2009)
- Bebe Buell wrote the song for Joey Ramone called Black Angel. It is included for her forthcoming album Musesque in the fall 2009. May 14-May 20 there is a chance to listen it at her MySpace
. Bebe will be doing the song live at the annual Joey Ramone Birthday Bash on May 19th, 2009, and there will be a filming that night of the song for a future video. (May 15, 2009)
- Final Rinse movie is directed by Robert D. Tucker and written by Tucker and Arthur Schurr. Robert D. Tucker explains how Final Rinse is like part Spinal Tap, part Silence of the Lambs, and all farce.
Final Rinse movie is comedy released in 1999 and it features Joey Ramone in his final film role. Final Rinse was published as DVD on late 2008.
- Joey Ramone was a big fan of Final Rinse. We watched an early cut of the movie together up in his apartment on New York, and he was impressed. He said: "Wow! This is so much more than just a fun rock and roll movie. It's really clever and funny!", explain Robert D. Tucker.
about release here. (January 13, 2009)
- Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh wrote at Joeyramone.com in December, 2008 that it looks like there will be a second Joey Ramone solo album released before Christmas 2009. Advance tracklisting and more infos here. (Updated: December 26, 2008)
- Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh wrote on September 28, 2008 how on September 7, a 28 year old man tried to steal the Joey Ramone Place street sign. The criminal was caught. Mickey Leigh wrote on October 20, 2008 that Joey Ramone Place sign is now back. It is now across Bowery, instead of across 2nd St. See new photo and Read more infos here. (Updated: October 20, 2008)
- From the Dead Boys was released Return Of The Living Dead Boys - Halloween Night 1986 DVD by MVD in 2008. As the title suggests, DVD documents a Dead Boys reunion concert from October 1986. Dead Boys played at first in 1976-1979 and they became close with the Ramones members. Founding members are: Stiv Bators (RIP), Cheetah Chrome, Jimmy Zero, Jeff Magnum and Johnny Blitz. Joey Ramone made a short introduction in this show in October 1986 and it is also on this Return Of The Living Dead Boys - Halloween Night 1986 DVD. (October 3, 2008)
- Like you've read many times from my homepage etc., The Independents was one of Joey Ramone's favourite bands and he was also their manager. The Independents are releasing their new album Do It Again on October 14, 2008. They are taking pre-orders now and for the first 1000 copies they are including a free poster. Do order here. The Independents are touring at the moment, see dates in their news or in their their MySpace (September 9, 2008)
- There was Joey Ramone Memory Birthday Bash at the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, NYC on May 19, 2008. Read here report of my trip to San Diego, Tijuana and New York/ Joey Ramone Birthday Bash.
You got chance to buy tickets from Ticketmaster site. Price of the ticket was 23.50 US$. Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh was again main organisator of the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. He wrote to me an E-mail that Richie Ramone will play at the Bash on May 19, 2008. Richie Ramone played at the Bash also in 2006. Sadly a bit later arrived info that Richie Ramone had to cancel his appearance.
Tommy Ramone confirmed for me on March 31, 2008 that he or Uncle Monk (band of Tommy and Claudia Tienan) doesn't play this year at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. Uncle Monk was touring then elsewhere. Also Marky was touring elsewhere and CJ had other schedules. Mary Weiss, lead singer of the Shangri-Las, was one artist who was performing at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. Also Manitoba's Wild Kingdom reunited for a short set. Richard Lloyd And The SufiMonkeys did a 20 minute set in honor of Joey. The Independents, LES Stitches, Semi Precious Weapons, Local H, Charm School, Rachel Newman, Walter Lure, Cheetah Chrome, Jean Beauvoir, Jesse Malin, Bobby Steele, Al Maddy, Ivan Julian and as a MC's Little Steven, Matt Pinfield etc. were there to honor Joey with their appearances. So you can read here report of my trip to San Diego, Tijuana and New York/ Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. (Updated: May 29, 2008)
- Stay Thirsty magazine was one of the sponsors of the 2007 Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. They added to their site review of the night, click here to read and see it. Sarah L. Myers did for this same issue (June 2007) also for example an exclusive interview with Joey's brother Mickey Leigh, interview with Jimmy Webb of the Trash And Vaudeville etc. Stay Thirsty is offering an Stop song Jerk for download! Stop is Mickey Leigh's band. Click here to enter main page of Stay Thirsty. (Updated: June 22, 2007)
- Our dear Joey Ramone was celebrating his 56th birthday on May 19, 2007. In this year day (May 19) was Saturday. Memory event did go on even Joey's and Mickey Leigh's loved mother Charlotte Lesher passed away in January, 2007. The seventh Joey Ramone Birthday Bash took place again at famed New York City venue Irving Plaza. Tommy Ramone was performing. So many fans would have loved to see Richie Ramone playing also again. He did "comeback" in last year at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. Richie Ramone was coming again, but due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts, Richie was unable to appear. Elvis Ramone was also there (better known as Clem Burke. Clem played two gigs as a Elvis Ramone in the Ramones after the Richie Ramone quit in 1987). Read more infos here. Tickets were 25US$. Event was sold-out! (Updated: May 20, 2007)
- I also thinked that this piece of news is good to add here. A while ago Ronnie Spector and the Ronnettes finally got inducted to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Ronnie was very nice in her acceptance speech, and made a special point of thanking: "My friend and producer, Joey Ramone.", to much applause. (April 11, 2007)
- Like you've read many times from my homepage etc., The Independents was one of Joey's favourite bands and he was also their manager. The Independents started their European tour on February 8, 2007. They're playing in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Austria... Go and check them out, and feel Joey's spirit...! See dates from their homepage, click here. In addition to the list there's show also at the Waterfront in Rotterdam, Netherlands on February 15, 2007. (February 8, 2007)
- "January 28, 2007 - Sometime last night, Joey's mother Charlotte
Lesher suffered a heart attack and passed away. She was 80 years old and
showed no signs of her years, whatsoever. She is survived by her
beloved son, Mickey Leigh. In lieu of cards or flowers, please
consider making a donation to the Joey Ramone Foundation for Lymphoma
Research: P.O. Box 1107 Cooper Station, NY, NY 10276.", was told in
official statement.... It's hard to
find words now..., Joey's mother Charlotte was so lovely and
warm-hearted lady. It was a pleasure for me to get to know with Her.
And also visit with Her and Mickey (Joey's brother) Joey's apartment
etc. I got honour to meet with Charlotte in many occasions. I know
that many of you fans knows that she really was warm-hearted lady.
Charlotte, You're angels with Joey now. Mickey, condolences for You and
lot of strength.I took that photo of Charlotte + of my friends David Kelly and Laura Brown at The Joey Ramone Birthday Bash Art Extravaganza in New York in May, 2005. Exhibition was at the CBGB's Gallery. There was around 30 paintings/ art piece, mostly all of them were about Joey. One of them is attached in bigger size to the photo. Rest In Peace Charlotte. (January 29, 2007)
- Manager-producer Rory Rosegarten is doing a movie about Joey and the Ramones. It's based to the authorized bio, I Slept With Joey Ramone, of the Joey written by Joey's brother Mickey Leigh and punk chronicler Legs McNeil. Rosegarten also negotiated a deal with the Joey's mother Charlotte Lesher, who is the executor of Ramone's estate. The family has given him access to the band's raucous tunes. Book is not out yet. Mickey and Legs has been doing it with time several years. (October 23, 2006)
- Ronnie Spector released in May her new record The Last Of The Rock Stars. It include You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory cover featuring our Joey Ramone from the She Talks To Rainbow CDEP. Also The Last Of The Rock Stars has Ramones cover Here Today, Gone Tomorrow. Ronnie recorded of it with her friends a bit surprising, but good version. As well for example Ramones producer Daniel Rey, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and Patti Smith are on CD. Booklet is great and it has lot infos and photos from Ronnie's musical career. One photo is of Joey and Ronnie taken at the Continental, NYC. Ronnie also says thanks to Joey following way: "Heartfelt thanks to Joey Ramone for the confidence and courage... who lit the fuse to get this started... you were always there for me."( Updated June 14, 2006)
- Next Joey Ramone Memory Birthday Bash is at Irving Plaza, NYC on May 19, 2006. Doors are open at 8PM. See more infos here. (Updated May 10, 2006)
- In addition to the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash, this year there's two separate photograph exhibit/sales to raise money for Lymphoma research. One will be at the Morrison Hotel Gallery and feature, solely, the work of Bob Gruen. There will be an opening on May 20, at their new 116 Prince Street 2nd floor location.
The other will be at CBGB's Gallery on May 12-13 and will feature, contributions from George DuBose, David Godlis, Arturo Vega, John Nikolai, Danny Fields, Patty Heffley, George Seminara....; vintage Ramones photos from Tom Hearn; offerings from JoeyRamone.com visitors Maggie St. Thomas and Josie Monserrat, and many, many other great, well known photographers, and some candid, casual family/home shots as well. On May 12, it will start at 7. (Updated: May 10, 2006)
- Worn Free is expanding on their vintage soft T-shirts from the Free Love-era to offer up designs worn by our Joey Ramone to alt-country legends Gram Parsons and his Byrd's bandmate Chris Hillman! Also on tap for Spring 2006 are images by Irish artist Jim Fitzpatrick, who created all the imagery for Thin Lizzy and even designed the original Che Guevara Poster! Worn Free's Joey Ramone tees celebrate New York's punk scene and his sense of humor - from Capitol Theater, an amazing venue that hosted everyone from the Rolling Stones, the Ramones and Punk Magazine to Swamp Water, a shirt with a green crocodile drinking a famously toxic Australian alcoholic drink. (April 5, 2006)
- When the year was changing into a new year, five minutes before midnight there was a clock on every TV-net in the country (Netherlands). About three minutes before midnight a song started, the song was What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong... And then after it, around thirty seconds before midnight another song started, that song was What A Wonderful World by Joey Ramone!!! The entire Netherlands went into the new year with a song by our Joey! This will be a great year for every Ramones brother in Holland, wrote Roel Minnema! (January 1, 2006)
- (In a spirit of) Joey Ramone's annual Christmas show is also this year on December 30 at Continental, NYC. Joey himself used to have many parties, like his Christmas party for many years, at Continental. Ticket is only $2 and there are on stage: Mickey Leigh & Friends, Furious George, Lady Unluck, Dean Dean & The Sex Machines, The Basicks, Cyclones, Blackout Shoppers, The Bullys, Charm School, Sucker Punch, Ramoones, Jones Crusher, Johnny Black, Guns On High Street. Night begin 9:15PM and Mickey Leigh & Friends will be on stage 11:30PM. (December 10, 2005)
- The Sony psp GTA games are featuring Ramoniac things... Liberty City Stories is featuring our angel, Joey Ramone. There in this game comes a map for the city and on this map are 3 promotions for invented Broadway shows. One of them has the name Tally-Ho, The Musical. When you look infos, producer of that musical is Stuart Petri and animation on it is by Joey Ramone..... It's our angel. On GTA: Vice City, there's a stadium called Hyman Memorial Stadium and on GTA: San Andreas, there were 2 guys from mafia called Joey and Johnny, rivals. (Updated: November 19, 2005)
- The first Jewish Music Awards were presented on September, 2005 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Battery Park. Joey's brother Mickey Leigh told that Joey Ramone was honored with the first Lifetime Achievement Award. George Tabb presented, on behalf of Heeb Magazine, and Joey's mom Charlotte accepted for Joey. The award was the Golden Bagel and Charlotte got also a nice plaque however. It was an admittedly low budget affair with a lot of self-depricating Jewish humor, and five artists, including Golem, Divahn and What I Like About Jew, were perform Ramones tributes, like unique versions of Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue, Sheena Is A Punk Rocker and I Wanna Be Sedated. Mickey also commented: "Though we weren't terribly religious, it was certainly an honor." (October 4, 2005)
- (In a spirit of) Joey Ramone's annual Christmas show was in 2004 on December 30 at Continental, NYC. Joey himself used to have many parties, like his Christmas party for many years, at Continental. Night is featuring more than 10 bands and as well many special guests - The Basicks, Guns On High Street, Dean Dean & The Sex Machines, STOP with Joey's brother Mickey Leigh, The Bullys with Continental owner Trigger, The Cyclones, Charm School, Banana Slaves, Lady Unluck, Sucker Punch, Jones Crusher, Johnny Black, The Blitzcretins and The Plank Boys. (Updated: January 2005)
JOHNNY RAMONE -NEWS: JANUARY 2005 - DECEMBER 2009
At first Johnny was retired, he only appearanced sometimes in baseball
games and this Ramones meeting was only Ramones influenced happening to
Johnny. Then he did small "comeback", like in performance on Pearl
Jam concert. Johnny Ramone passed away on September 15, 2004.
- The fifth annual Johnny Ramone and Ramones outdoor event
presented by Linda
Ramone in association with the JRA (Johnny Ramone Army), was held
again. It was in a memory of Johnny Ramone on Saturday October 3rd, 2009
at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (6000 Santa Monica Blvd.) in Los
Angeles, CA, USA. See more infos with many
photos taken by me here.
You can find lot material also from Johnny's
official site and Gaston Sanchez's
site.
Sole survivor of the original Ramones line-up, Tommy
Ramone, and CJ Ramone both were on hand to celebrate Johnny's
legacy. Special homage was also paid to Dee Dee Ramone. Original
paintings
by Dee Dee were exhibited on site in an art show curated by his wife,
Barbara Zampini (Ramone).
Songs from a full-length, "It's Alive" Ramones concert at the Rainbow
Theatre in London on December 31, 1977, was screened outdoors, after
dark on a 24-foot mausoleum wall (as in Hollywood Forever's summer film
program Cinespia). The double feature concluded with the world premiere
of the
1968 cult classic movie Night Of The Living Dead in 3D. Live broadcast
was at 98,7FM, Complete
Control Radio. Television channel E!'s "That Morning Show" had in
advance an interview with Johnny's wife Linda and actress Rose McGowan,
they had a discussion of the Ramones and Johnny in general, of this
event. Click
here to see it. (Updated: October 12, 2009)
- TIME Magazine has announced The 10 Greatest Electric Guitar Players
listing. Like Spinal Tap's infamous custom amps, their list goes to
11... And our Johnny Ramone is number 11. TIME Magazine commented of
their choose: "No one hated guitar solos more than Johnny Ramone, so
it's not surprising he perfected the punk style, packing chords
together tightly and leaving no space for freelancing."
Johnny is among with many legends. Top 10 are: 1) Jimi Hendrix, 2) Slash
(Guns N'Roses, Slash's Snakepit, Velvet
Revolver etc.), 3) B.B. King, 4) Keith Richards (have you ever heard
of band called Rolling Stones?), 5) Eric Clapton (The Yardbirds, Cream
etc.), 6) Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds), 7) Chuck Berry, 8)
Les Paul, 9) Yngwie Malmsteen, 10) Prince.
I was surprise of Prince, and probably some other you as well. TIME
Magazine explained: "Prince
does a little singing, but Prince also plays a mean lead guitar. The
solo on Let's Go Crazy is a frequently cited example of his frenetic
style, but covers of Just My Imagination and While My Guitar Gently
Weeps prove he can also play under control. (September 3,
2009)
- Morrissey
is a British solo artist who has been creating his succesful
solo career already since 1988. Morrissey's single Something Is
Squeezing My Skull has cool covers taken in a statue in memory of Johnny
Ramone.
In February 2007, Morrissey stated how he would like to be buried next
to Johnny Ramone's grave at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Then he didn't knew yet that there is only Johnny Ramone statue, not
Johnny's grave. Johnny was cremated and his wife Linda has the
ashes. Morrissey has also spoke of Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone and Dee
Dee Ramone in his some speeches at the shows.
Something Is Squeezing My Skull is the opening track from the Years Of
Refusal album released in February, 2009. There is three different
versions of Something Is Squeezing My Skull single and all of them
has different live song as a second song. CD1 ja 7' single has same
cover (see photo) and CD2 different. Second song of CD1 is This Charming
Man (live), on CD 2 it is Best Friend On The Payroll (live) and on 7'
single it is I Keep Mine Hidden (live). UK release date of singles:
April 27, 2009. See
covers of singles and more infos here. (April 1,
2009)
- DVD version of the Too Tough To Die: A Tribute To Johnny Ramone was
released in November 4, 2008. DVD's bonus features include full-length
commentary track with director Mandy Stein and Johnny's wife Linda
Ramone sharing candid stories and insight behind the scenes of her
iconic husband's legacy. More
info the document/ DVD here. (November
8, 2008)
- Happy birthday Johnny! Johnny Ramone became 60th year old angel on
October 8, 2008. Johnny's official site posted
streaming audio of a candid interview with Johnny Ramone conducted by
Steve Jones (of the Sex Pistols) on Jonesy's Jukebox, originally aired
February 21, 2004 on Indie 103.1. Jones also asks in this
interview surprise questions and they speak with Chris Cornell.
Listen it
here.
(September 9, 2008)
- Johnny Ramone's wife Linda Ramone was main person behind of cool
outdoor event in loving memory of Johnny Ramone at the Hollywood Forever
cemetary in Los Angeles, California, USA on August 1, 2008. For example
Tommy Ramone, Marky Ramone and CJ Ramone attended this event. So
Richie was only surviving Ramones member who couldn't attend this event
(some people also count Clem Burke...). Read story and see photos of
this
event here. (Updated: August 4, 2008)
- Starz Cinema TV channel presents Too Tough To Die: A Tribute To Johnny
Ramone document in USA on September 15, 2007 at 10PM (et/pt), it is the
third anniversary of Johnny's death. You can read more of the
document here. (August 24, 2007)
- The Wicker Man is a cult 1973 British film combining thriller, horror
and musical, directed by Robin Hardy and written by Anthony Shaffer. An
American remake of the film was released on September 1, 2006 and it's
starring Johnny Ramone's friend Nicolas Cage. Probably it's because of
Nicolas that in the end credits of remake it says: "Dedicated to Johnny
Ramone." New version hasn't got lot good reviews. (September 18, 2006)
- The June 29, 2006 issue of Rolling Stone magazine with Eddie Vedder on
the cover
features a photo of Vedder with Johnny Ramone on page 50. Vedder is
quoted
as saying of his own new album: "Half this record is based on the loss
of
the guy who turned out to be the best friend I ever had on the planet.
And that was Johnny Ramone." (June 20, 2006)
- There's in Contactmusic.com following news: "Pearl Jam star Eddie
Vedder
has a permanent home at late pal Johnny Ramone's Los Angeles house -
after
the punk icon created a place for the rocker and his wife to stay before
he died last year (04). Vedder is thrilled with his friend's tribute and
always makes a point of staying with Ramone's widow Linda at the pool
house they created for him.
He says, "He set it up so I could visit and stay there.
"I remember reading that Frank Sinatra did that for Sammy Davis JR. So I
felt proud to be Johnny's Sammy."
Article is from this source (November 16, 2005)
- On July 8th, there's going to be screening of Rock'N'Roll High School
movie at Hollywood Forever, the Santa Monica Boulevard cemetery right on
the heart of Hollywood. Besides the classic 1979 movie you can catch an
exclusive screening of clips from the speeches by Johnny's friends
during
the unveiling ceremony of Johnny's statue last January 14th, 2005. This
gang includes Tommy Ramone, CJ Ramone, Pete Yorn, Nicholas Cage, John
Frusciante, Eddie Vedder, Rob Zombie and Vincent Gallo. This piece of a
larger documentary directed by Mandi Stein, will tell
you more about Johnny's private life than anything else you have or will
ever read. The movie will be introduced by it's director Alan Arkush,
and
some of it's stars will be present, among them P. J. Soles and Cliff
Howard. There will also be speakers, like Lars from Rancid.
Also you will be able to catch Joey's solo video Wonderful World from
Joey's solo album and clips from the Joey Ramone Place street
dedication.
(Updated June 28, 2005)
- Johnny Ramone and Lisa Marie Presley were close friends. Johnny was
the best man at Mr. Cage's wedding to Lisa Marie Presley etc. Presley's
new album Now What was released on April 5, 2005.
It contains cover of the Ramones song Here Today, Gone Tomorrow. Another
cover is Don Henley's ever-timely Dirty Laundry. Johnny Ramone
originally
hand-picked Here Today, Gone Tomorrow for Presley to perform on a
Ramones
tribute album We're A Happy Family, but the song instead turns up on Now
What. Johnny had hoped to play on Presley's version of the song, but he
passed away the day she started recording it, according to Capitol
Records. Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones plays on the Here Today, Gone
Tomorrow. Album also contains song When You Go and it is in part
dedicated
to Johnny. (April 8, 2005)
DEE DEE RAMONE -NEWS:
JANUARY 2005 - DECEMBER 2009
Dee Dee joined Joey in heaven on June 5th, 2002...
- Hey
Is Dee Dee Home document was released as a DVD on October 21,
2003 by MVD Visual. Hey Is Dee Dee Home is directed by Lech Kowalski.
June 16, 2009 it was kind
of re-released with a name History On My Arms, it is basicly normal 63
minutes long version of Hey Is Dee Dee Home document with a bonus
material of 50 minutes. Bonus material is pretty weak in general, like
one person explained: "Most of the additional footage consists of video
that was rolling while the film crew was setting up and checking
sound and lights as Dee Dee messes around on the guitar without focus
or any structure." (October 22, 2009)
- The fifth annual Johnny Ramone and Ramones outdoor event
presented by Linda
Ramone in association with the JRA (Johnny Ramone Army), was held
again. It was in a memory of Johnny Ramone on Saturday October 3rd, 2009
at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (6000 Santa Monica Blvd.) in Los
Angeles, CA, USA. See more infos with many
photos taken by me here.
You can find lot material also from Johnny's
official site and Gaston Sanchez's
site.
Sole survivor of the original Ramones line-up, Tommy
Ramone, and CJ Ramone both were on hand to celebrate Johnny's
legacy. Special homage was also paid to Dee Dee Ramone. Original
paintings
by Dee Dee were exhibited on site in an art show curated by his wife,
Barbara Zampini (Ramone).
Songs from a full-length, "It's Alive" Ramones concert at the Rainbow
Theatre in London on December 31, 1977, was screened outdoors, after
dark on a 24-foot mausoleum wall (as in Hollywood Forever's summer film
program Cinespia). The double feature concluded with the world premiere
of the
1968 cult classic movie Night Of The Living Dead in 3D. Live broadcast
was at 98,7FM, Complete
Control Radio. Television channel E!'s "That Morning Show" had in
advance an interview with Johnny's wife Linda and actress Rose McGowan,
they had a discussion of the Ramones and Johnny in general, of this
event. Click
here to see it. (Updated: October 12, 2009)
- Helter Skelter Publishing will release third pressing
of Dee Dee Ramone's book Poison Heart: Surviving The Ramones. Helter
Skelter Publishing just informed me, release date is delayed and book
should come out in early October. Read more of the
book here. (Updated: August 25, 2009)
- False Alarm Records released two albums in one CD.
CD has False Alarm's CD
titled Fuck 'Em All We've All Ready (Now)
Won! (2006), expect final song (I Don't Want To Be Your Friend) of 14
songs in original album.
Also it has Youth Gone
Mad Featuring Dee Dee Ramone album, expect final
song (In The Pines) of 15 songs in original album. So this CD has 27
songs in total.
False Alarm's Fuck 'Em All We've All Ready (Now) Won! part is produced
by False Alarm's Brent "Aldo" Alden and Youth Gone Mad's Paul Kostabi.
Dee Dee Ramone and Paul Kostabi painted together cover of Fuck 'Em All
We've All Ready (Now) Won! Cheetah Chrome of Dead Boys, Cheetah
Chrome & The Blackhearts etc. does play lead guitar in five songs, first
solo in one song and Cheetah does sing Dead Boys' cover High Tension
Wire. Rick Wilder of Mau Maus & Berlin Brats does sing New York Dolls'
cover Vietnamese Baby. Brent Alden and Dylan Maunder (RIP, 2005)
wrote all other songs expect Paul Kostabi wrote In My Mind song, and
Brent and Dylan wrote Day Is Night together with George Tabb.
Dee Dee Ramone and Youth Gone Mad, leaded by Paul Kostabi, did a lot of
co-operation together in Dee Dee's last years musically and also in
art. Like Dee Dee and Paul did lot paintings together. Dee Dee does play
guitar on Youth Gone Mad Featuring Dee Dee Ramone album, also does
backing vocals, bass on Horror Hospital and lead vocals on Horror
Hospital and False Alarm. In addition to Dee Dee and Paul, their part of
CD are featuring Dee Dee's wife Barbara Zampini, Tony Mann, Fenton
Lawless and Mike Solis. You can order CD for example through False
Alarm's homepage or from Interpunk.
(July 23, 2009)
- Phoenix
Books & Audio company released officially on June 1, 2009 book
called Poisoned Heart: I Married Dee Dee Ramone (The Ramones Years) by
Vera Davies (writer name: Vera Ramone King). SEE HERE MAIN SECTION ON MY
SITE
OF THIS BOOK.
Vera had a book signing at the Barnes & Noble store in SOHO Tribeca at
7PM on June 8, 2009. Next day, June 9, 2009, Vera was at
Marky Ramone's radio show called Marky Ramone's Punk Rock Blitzkrieg on
Sirius Satellite
Radio Channel 28.
So book came out normally even in mid April, 2009, was told, release
might be postponed or cancelled, because executor of Dee Dee Ramone's
estate has gone to court to stop publication of a book. Ira Herzog says
Vera violated an agreement to let him review and change anything she
wrote about the bassist.
Anyway book is now released, and it has lot great photos. It is not
written "sensational" way as might had gotten impression because of some
promotional lines published announced in advance.
Following are basic infos, 75 % of these I had wrote before new
turn. Some of these has also my thoughs:
In 1977, Dee Dee met Vera. Dee Dee had wild life going on and they were
very rough times. Probably both also gave to each other hard time. Vera
was much more stable anyway.
There are lot sad stories to tell. Also of
course lovely ones. But after book was promoted with "USA's scandal
story way", I did not knew do I wanna hear them as I would put it this
realistic way: "If Vera simply tells the truth, I am sure somebody will
accuse her saying nasty things."
Many also thinks how Dee Dee without Vera would have got a call from
heaven earlier. That is also realistic. Anyway they loved each other
very much and they were married in 1978. Many
times Dee Dee would succumb to his bad habits and would have to
struggle to get back on track again. Dee Dee quit the Ramones in 1989.
One month earlier Dee Dee's and Vera's ways were separated (even they
officially divorced many years later in 1995). Dee Dee moved to
England and then to Amsterdam to clean himself up. Vera forbid Dee Dee
to write about her in his books even though they had been married for so
many years.
Vera has told, psychic reader called Linda Drake merely passed on the
information from the other side by channelling Dee Dee. Book progress
started going on that way...
Anyway Vera toured extensively with the Ramones, living the punk era
firsthand. Book has more than 50 never-before-published photos of
the Ramones. Vera Ramone King pays tribute to her late husband,
revealing what it was like to live with and love a heroin addict and
the genius behind the Ramones. Poisoned Heart: I Married Dee Dee Ramone
(The Ramones Years) has 256 pages and it is an hard cover book.
Nowadays Vera lives in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
Dee Dee's mother writes in a back cover of the book:
"I'll always be grateful to Vera and thank her for loving and taking
such good care of my son for so many years. Her story tells it all and
this final tribute to Dee Dee will keep his legacy alive long after he's
gone. I know he's smiling down from heaven."
Many of you fans does remember Keith Green and his classic Dee
Dee Ramone photos from 1993. Keith Green wrote to me that one of those
his photos of Dee Dee on the balcony with guitar in Chelsea Hotel is
included to Vera's book. Also Keith wrote that his five
never-before-seen portraits of Vera in 2007 are featured on the
insides. Keith writes in back cover following:
"Vera truly peels back the curtains in her exciting yet tumultuous
memories while reliving the wild side of the '70s punk extravaganza
through the eyes and heart of a punk bride. A real lesson in passion and
survival." (Updated: June 10, 2009)
- False Alarm (Los
Angeles, USA) and Nicotine
Records (Italy), made an record deal. Nicotine Records released
(April, 2009) European pressing of False Alarm's praised CD titled Fuck
'Em All We've All Ready (Now) Won! In the USA it was released in 2006.
False Alarm's history goes back to year 1983. Most
active they has have now in 2000's. They are long time Ramones fans,
like Brent Alden has seen big amount of Ramones shows since early
80's.
Paul Kostabi does play guitar in Fuck 'Em All We've All Ready (Now)
Won!. Paul and Dee Dee were close friends. Also their painting is in a
cover of this False Alarm CD titled Fuck 'Em All We've All Ready (Now)
Won! CD has 14 songs and it features guest appearances on 6 tracks by
Cheetah Chrome (Dead Boys, Cheetah Chrome &
The Blackhearts etc.) etc.
Order in a same time from Nicotine Records releases by
artists like Walter Lure, The Lustkillers, Hamburg Ramönes, Electric
Frankenstein etc. (April 8, 2009)
- Paul Kostabi and Heidi Follin were most important partners for Dee Dee
in his painting career. Also Paul's band Youth Gone Mad and Dee Dee did
lot co-operation together. Dee Dee himself suggested to Paul that they
should collaborate on some artwork, and that did happen more than ten
years to Dee Dee's final days. You will find the
most extensive story of their friendship and career together from my
second book Rock In Peace:
Dee Dee And Joey Ramone.
Paul Kostabi is Mark Kostabi's brother. Paul Kostabi has an exhibition
at The
Outside In Piermont in New York (address: 249 Ferdon Ave
Piermont, NY 10968). Exhibition is from March 8 to April 19, 2009.
Reception is on March 15, 2009 (2-5PM). (March 5, 2009)
- Christian Martucci was Dee Dee Ramone's guitarist. Christian wrote
to me that he is playing now in Black President. Black President has an
album coming out on September 16th, 2008. Check out their MySpace site, there are
tour dates and basic info of the band etc. Drummer of the Black
President is Roy Mayorga (Nausea, Soulfly, Stone Sour etc.) (June 30,
2008)
- Radio Taxi is a new band of Barbara Zampini. Barbara was married
with Dee Dee Ramone.
Barbara is at the moment living in her home country Argentina. She plays
bass and sing in Radio Taxi. This band she formed with her
current boyfriend Danny De Salvo on guitar, her old friend Juan Novoa
(formerly of Expulsados) on guitar & vocals, Maxi Del Mar on guitar and
Ray (from El Otro Yo) on drums. You
can listen some songs in their
MySpace spage, click here. (January 28,
2008)
- Dee Dee co-wrote together with a band called Los Gattos (from Los
Angeles, USA) song titled Downhill in 2000 when Dee Dee did with a band
then some shows, and also Dee Dee toured with Los Gattos in 2001. After
some years of making that song, Los Gattos is now released Downhill. It
is in their CD which is produced by Paul Kostabi of Youth Gone Mad.
Paul was one of the most close friends of Dee Dee and also music
partner. Paul, Los Gattos etc. started recording CD in May, 2006 and
they finished recordings in autumn. Tony Mann (toured a while with Dee
Dee + plays in She Wolves) played drums on all the 13 tracks including
Downhill and Michel Solis' song NY2LA. Michel Solis also played and did
co-operation with Dee Dee. Michel also took photos for the CD
sleeve. CD was released by Art Monkey Records on January 13, 2007.
Before Art Monkey Records has released for example Dee Dee's Too Tough
To Die Live CD.
Los Gattos was also recently guest band on Mark Kostabi's cable TV
show called Name That Painting. Downhill is "In memory and in honor of
our idol, mentor and most of all, our friend.", wrote bassist Despo.
Rude "E" is singer-guitarist and Steve drummer in Los Gattos. Los
Gattos'
MySpace
page is here and Art Monkey Records page is here. And here's link
to URL where you can buy that CD.
(Updated: January 18, 2007)
- Dee Dee's wife Barbara has been living in Argentina a while and Chase
Manhattan, who was touring with Dee Dee as a drummer, told that Barbara
just called him and she wants him to go visit her down in Argentina.
Barbara is doing good, she's building a recording studio down there etc.
Barbara is also born in Argentina. We wanted to let you Ramones fans to
know that Barbara is doing well. (October 3, 2006)
- Band called False Alarm (Los Angeles, USA) released new record titled
Fuck 'Em All We've All Ready (Now) Won! False Alarm formed already in
1983, but never really got started back then because the members became
involved with the other Los Angeles punk rock bands etc. Anyway Fuck 'Em
All We've All Ready (Now) Won! False Alarm is now out and as a album
cover is painting by Dee Dee Ramone and Paul Kostabi. Paul also plays
rhythm guitar on CD. Many of you Ramones fans probably remember Paul,
not only is he a famous painter in his own right but he is also heavily
into music with his another group called Youth Gone Mad. Dee Dee and
Youth Gone Mad did a lot of work together in his last years. Fuck 'Em
All We've All Ready (Now) Won! has 14 songs and it features guest
appearances on 6 tracks by Cheetah Chrome (Dead Boys etc.) etc. Great CD
also has some cover songs, like of New York Dolls track Vietnamese Baby
and of Dead Boys track High Tension Wire. The previous False Alarm
record featured Fat Mike of NOFX who played in the band in the 80's.
(September 29, 2006)
- There's a group exhibition curated by John Nikolai featuring the work
of
kickass rock 'n' roll artists at CBGB 313 Gallery, New York on November
27, 2005 - January 6, 2005. Opening reception is on November 30, 2005
6pm
with special appearances by Ramones Artistic Director Arturo Vega,
Godlis,
John Holmstrom, Roberta Bayley and Leee Black Childers talking about
their
work. This is "follow-up" to the similar exhibit earlier this year in
Cambridge, Massachusetts (see below). But for example exhibition is
featuring painting of the Sex Pistols titled Fuck Off by Dee
Dee Ramone. Also Joey Ramone painting by Knox of The Vibrators is there,
cool photographs of Marky Ramone by
Josie Montserrat etc. See more infos here.
(November 28, 2005)
- There's came out in Brazil the Portuguese version of Dee Dee's
biography (original title: Poison Heart: Surviving The Ramones) titled
Coracao Envenenado - Minha Vida Com Os Ramones. This version has 192
pages and soft cover. You can see cover beside, it's different than in
original one. Translation is by Paulo Salles and pretext is by Andre
Barcinski. You can
buy
book here.
Homepage of the Editora Barracude is here. There's also more
information and lot comments of the book by fans here. (July 6,
2005)
- Once again we are treated to an exhibition of paintings by Dee Dee
Ramone, Paul Kostabi, Joseph B. Raimond, Lothar Felkel and Gerhard "The
General" Seckler. Besides some of the works that have already shown in
Nuernberg, Augsburg, Koln, Berlin and Munich, many new works will be
shown. The exhibition will take place from June 11th until June 21st,
2005
at
the Ateliers d' Artistes de Belleville, 32, rue de la mare, 75020 Paris.
Go to the opening on June 11 and meet several of the artists, or to the
closing party on June 21st for the day of "fete de la musique", it will
ending with some small live gig as homage to the Ramones in the gallery.
General, Lothar etc. can help you to find a cheap cool hotel in the near
of the gallery click here! (May
5, 2005)
TOMMY RAMONE -NEWS: JANUARY 2005 - DECEMBER
2009
- The fifth annual Johnny Ramone and Ramones outdoor event
presented by Linda
Ramone in association with the JRA (Johnny Ramone Army), was held
again. It was in a memory of Johnny Ramone on Saturday October 3rd, 2009
at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (6000 Santa Monica Blvd.) in Los
Angeles, CA, USA. See more infos with many
photos taken by me here.
You can find lot material also from Johnny's
official site and Gaston Sanchez's
site.
Sole survivor of the original Ramones line-up, Tommy
Ramone, and CJ Ramone both were on hand to celebrate Johnny's
legacy. Special homage was also paid to Dee Dee Ramone. Original
paintings
by Dee Dee were exhibited on site in an art show curated by his wife,
Barbara Zampini (Ramone).
Songs from a full-length, "It's Alive" Ramones concert at the Rainbow
Theatre in London on December 31, 1977, was screened outdoors, after
dark on a 24-foot mausoleum wall (as in Hollywood Forever's summer film
program Cinespia). The double feature concluded with the world premiere
of the
1968 cult classic movie Night Of The Living Dead in 3D. Live broadcast
was at 98,7FM, Complete
Control Radio. Television channel E!'s "That Morning Show" had in
advance an interview with Johnny's wife Linda and actress Rose McGowan,
they had a discussion of the Ramones and Johnny in general, of this
event. Click
here to see it. (Updated: October 12, 2009)
- I have wrote many times before of Marky Ramone's radio show called
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.
Weekly show lasts two hours and Marky does play beside of the Ramones
songs also music that he likes and which influenced the Ramones. Marky
has also guests in his show. Tommy Ramone will be guest on his show on
February 17, 2009. (February 11, 2009)
- Tommy Ramone's and Claudia Tienan's duo band Uncle Monk will be
performing on The Vince Vincent Jukebox Jamboree 91.3 FM WVKR Vassar
College Radio at 7-9PM on November 28, 2008. It is also streaming live
on the internet, so you can hear it also that way
here http://www.wvkr.org
(November 24, 2008)
- Save Nuta is a musical collaboration involving members of bands like
HIM, The Latebirds, Zen Cafe, The Wrecking Queens, Stunning Guns,
Scandinavian Music Group and Donits Osmo Experience. They want to save
famous youth center in Helsinki's Munkkiniemi, Finland which is known
for its world class recording facilities a.k.a. MD-Studio. These Finnish
guys got together in order to save this place. They recorded cover of
Ramones song Rock'N'Roll High School in October 2008. Song start with a
little opening speech by Tommy Ramone. Bassist in this version is Ville
Valo (HIM), guitarists Markus Nordenstreng (The Latebirds) and Joel
Melasniemi (Scandinavian Music Group), keyboardist Burton (HIM), drummer
Antti Lehtinen (Scandinavian Music Group) and lead singers Nöpsy
(Wrecking Queens) and Tommi Kumen (Stunning Guns). As a background
singers you can hear for example Samuli Putro (Zen Cafe) and Janne
Joutsenniemi (SubUrban Tribe, Stone).
You can listen song here
http://www.myspace.com/savenuta and see video here
in YouTube. There is in MySpace also link to address to save this
place.
(October 20, 2008)
-
Musiikki & Media conference is the biggest annual Finnish music
trade
fair for people in Finnish recording, publishing, live music and media
industries etc. This year Musiikki & Media is organised in Tampere,
Finland in October 23-25. Seminar program focuses on the turmoil of
recorded and live music and the need of new business models. This year
Tommy Ramone will attend seminar together with Sire Records founder
Seymour Stein! Tommy Ramone and Seymour Stein will be interviewed by
Jarkko Jokelainen (aka Jay Burnside) of The Flaming Sideburns (he also
works for Helsingin Sanomat newspaper etc.) at 4-4.45PM (16:00-16:45)
in Saturday on October 25, 2008.
As you know, Tommy Ramone is the only surviving member of
the original band (later members does live: Richie, Marky and CJ
Ramone). Tommy has worked also as a producer and his current band is Uncle
Monk. The Ramones played last shows in Finland in 1994. Also Dee
Dee Ramone played with his I.C.L.C. line-up in Finland in 1994. After
that any of the Ramones members does not have visited in Finland (even
Dee Dee and Marky has toured separately in other Scandinavian
countries).
Sire Records founder Seymour Stein was managing the Ramones with Danny
Fields during the early years of the Ramones career. So he also was
founder of the Sire Records etc. Ramones recorded for Sire Records
sixteen years. Seymour Stein attended Musiikki & Media also in
2007. Seymour Stein still run Sire Records and he is vice president of
Warner Bros Records (USA).
Also for example Jonathan Poneman will attend Musiikki & Media in
Finland. Jonathan is another founder of Sub Pop Records label. Sub Pop
Records artists has been/ are for example Nirvana, Mudhoney,
Soundgarden, CSS and Fleet Foxes. (Updated: October 16,
2008)
- Tommy Ramone will be the special guest of
Hungarian
Ramones Mania
(Hungarian Ramones Mania is the Ramones tribute band) in
concert at the Zöldpardon in Budapest, Hungary on July 3, 2008. So
Tommy has born in Hungary. Tommy is brought to Hungsry by hungarian
television channel RTL Klub as the only hungarian member of Rock And
Roll Hall Of Fame. (June 24, 2008)
- Tommy Ramone wrote that his and Claudia Tienan's band Uncle Monk is
now getting ready to start work on their second album. You can buy Uncle
Monk debut CD for example from CDBaby.com (price was
only 12,97 US$ on January 13, 2008). Uncle Monk also added new video
clips for their site. In their
future tours they plan to visit in North-America the Midwest, Canada as
well as the South and West Coast. (January 13, 2008)
- I thinked to mention that it is good to be careful with it what
believes, like it is easy to claim to be someone on internet. As a
example many seems to think that real Tommy Ramone is behind this
MySpace site/profile. It is build to look like real one. But Tommy
doesn't know who runs that. "I am going to have it removed because I
asked him to state that it is a tribute site but he did not respond to
me.", Tommy wrote to me. (October 12, 2007)
- Tommy Ramone's and Claudia Tienan's band Uncle Monk has played lot
shows already in early and spring 2007. Also many shows are in summer
2007. Check dates here.
In addition to those dates they has some radio interviews etc., like
they has
WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour (XM Radio Show) in Lexington, KY, USA on
May 7, 2007 and radio live show and interview on WAMC/Northeast Public
Radio in Albany, NY, USA on June 12, 2007. (April 29,
2007)
- Spongebob Squarepants: The Best Day Ever CD was released on September
12, 2006 by Nick Records. All new original music created and written by
Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob and producer Andy Paley, who are
accompanied by a crew of legendary musicians including Tommy
Ramone, Brian Wilson and Flaco Jimenez. The album presents the work of
the animated band - SpongeBob & The Hi-Seas - whose debut record is
being previewed on Bikini Bottom's WH2O. With cleverly crafted
interstitials that play like a retro-modern rock and roll radio show,
mixed with modern songs, the album comprises a fun-filled 26 tracks!
Ridin' The Hook track includes Tommy Ramone's playing, and also Jonathan
Paley's etc. Andy and Jonathan Paley had in past band called The
Paley Brothers. The Ramones and The Paley Brothers recorded a track
called Come On Let's Go for the soundtrack of "Ramones movie"
Rock'N'Roll High School. (November 22, 2006)
- A Hungarian Matula Magazine listed 50 greatest Hungarians in their
site, click
here to see listing. Tommy Ramone is #2! Tamas Kovacs translated
text of the Tommy: "There is only one Hungarian man on Earth, without
whom the modern western culture would not be what it is now. Thomas
Erdelyi photographed in sport shoes and leather jacket in front
of CBGB can be seen in more teenager rooms on the wall than the other
10
million hungarians together (Jari-Pekka's note: that legendary photo of
the Ramones in front of the CBGB's). As Tommy Ramone he was the drummer
of the first three Ramones records and he was the producer of first four
ones and
he wrote Blitzkrieg Bop, the march of the band, one of the top ten rock
songs. "Hey-Ho-Lets-Go" written by him is the best known piece of art of
Hungarian poetry. Strength of these four syllables is much higher than
that of "Stand Up, Hungarian!" (this is the raw translation of
the "Talpra Magyar", which is one of the best know hungarian poems,
written by Sandor Petofi in early 19th century, Tamas). Petofi was a
cool guy, but he was not the one to invent punk. If John Lennon lived
and was Hungarian, he (Lennon) could only be #3 on this list as a
maximum." (November 15, 2006)
- Tommy's new duo band is called Uncle Monk, musical style will be a bit
surprising mix for some Ramones fans, and also for many refreshing
acquaintance. Uncle Monk is an alt-country punk-bluegrass and it's also
featuring Claudia Tienan (ex-The Simplistics). Uncle Monk released their
album on March 16, 2006. You can find more information of the Uncle Monk
and CD from this
location on my site. Uncle Monk is also doing shows, click here to
see dates. (Updated: November 11, 2006)
- Tommy Ramone is musical director of a Gabba Gabba Hey! musical
featuring the music of the Ramones. Gabba Gabba Hey! debut was in Perth,
Australia, at the Monkey Bar on August 17-21, 2004. After that it was in
Germany, Switzerland...
There was 13 dates in Berlin, Germany in May, 2005. And now you can see
the musical as a movie! Producer of Berlin musical (and also of
other German dates) Michael Schaumer
informed that the first and only (!) public viewing of this
tourmovie is at Ex'N'Pop, Potsdamer Strasse, Berlin at 21:00 on June 2,
2006. With Rolf Zacher, Ades Zabel, Jürg Plüss, Katja Götz, Stefanie
Heller, Doreen Kutzke, Tim Eberts, Ben Dominik and Forgotten Idols.
Bonustracks with Jayne County and Fil Tägert. Afterparty with Lord
Ultra, the band from Jürg Plüss (who plays Doug in the musical).
More information of the musical in general you can find from this
location on my site. (May 30, 2006)
- Jeff Salen is a founding member of the Tuff Darts, and he was also in
Jayne County & The Backstreet Boys with Marky Ramone etc. and in Butch
with Tommy Ramone and Monte Melnick. Especially older Ramones fans will
remember for example Tuff Darts song like All for the Love of Rock &
Roll etc., and I was thinking it's good to inform you about new
releases. Jeff still performs with the Tuff Darts, and also solo with
the Tuff Jeff Salen band. His new solo album is called The Endless Road,
it's available on Fountainbleu
Entertainment Records and Tommy Ramone plays lead guitar on it!
The Tuff Darts album was recently re-released on Sire/
Wounded Bird Records. Click
here to visit his
homepage. (November 17,
2005)
- This did happen in November, 2004, but now Tamas from Hungary sent me
an
link as he found this out. There was Ramones tribute concert by
Hungarian
ambassador to the USA in Washington, and Tommy Ramone was a special
guest. Tommy was wearing a suit and other men also similar clothes when
they were rocking out Blitzkrieg Bop, Judy Is A Punk, Now I Wanna Sniff
Some Glue etc. Here's site where is also photos of the event and an
interview in hungarian, click here.... And
one
week later Tamas Kovacs translated this article, click
here. (September 28, 2005)
- Punk: Attitude punk rock documentary was released on September 6,
2005 in USA on double DVD by Capital Entertainment. Release date in UK
is
on October 3, 2005 by Fremantle Media etc. Punk: Attitude is featuring
interview with Tommy Ramone, as well
for example with David Johansen, Henry Rollins, Chryssie Hynde and Jello
Biafra. Documentary delves into the roots of punk, borne of the Velvet
Underground, MC-5, and the New York Dolls, connecting the musical dots
from the 70's London scene to New York's CBGB's. So Punk: Attitude is
released by Capital Entertainment and it's director is Don Letts. Punk:
Attitude documentary takes 90 minutes, but two-disc DVD features over 17
extras including a 30 minute LA punk scene featurette produced
exclusively for the US DVD. Other extras include, Where Are They Now and
Punk Family Tree, California Screamin' "Behind the
Masque" article, Henry Rollins interview, Dave Goodman feature,
Fanzines, Fashion, Women in Punk, Record Companies, The Attitude/Spirit
of Punk, The Influences/Origins Of Punk, Punk On Culture and the Arts,
UK versus US, Punk Evolution, The Gigs/Performance and The Punk Sound.
(Updated: September 6,
2005)
MARKY RAMONE -NEWS: JANUARY 2005 - DECEMBER
2009
- Now I heard and also watched for the first time of Marky being in
the Spazzys video of the song called Hey Hey Baby. It is released
already in 2004. Marky is in a video their car driver. That same
year, 2004, Marky Ramone had spoken words shows in Australia and then
Spazzys played with Marky a short sets as well.
Spazzys
has also song called I Wanna Cut My Hair Like Marky Ramone. It
appears on Life's
A Gas: A Tribute To Joey Ramone album (2001).
The Spazzys is an all-girl pop punk band from Melbourne, Australia. They
formed in 2000 and played their first show as a support for Mach
Pelican (what is also familiar band for many Ramones fans). (December
15, 2009)
- Every surviving Ramones member has done also in this year interviews.
Here are links for few Marky Ramone's interviews,
his
interview at TruePunk.com
and
his interview about his clothing
line with designer Tommy Hilfiger. See more infos of clothing line
below.
Following interviews were promoting shows by Marky Ramone's
Blitzkrieg in Australia. Read interview at
Australian's Access
All Areas website,
and
Thevine.com.au.. (July 15, 2009)
- Phoenix
Books & Audio company released officially on June 1, 2009 book
called Poisoned Heart: I Married Dee Dee Ramone (The Ramones Years) by
Vera Davies (writer name: Vera Ramone King). SEE HERE MAIN SECTION ON MY
SITE
OF THIS BOOK.
Vera was guest in Marky Ramone's radio show called Marky Ramone's Punk
Rock Blitzkrieg on
Sirius Satellite
Radio Channel 28. You can listen interview
here. Marky started his show with Pet Sematary and Punishment Fits
The Crime from Ramones' album Brain Drain. Later Marky played for
example Wart Hog, Dee Dee's solo song Fix Yourself Up, Rancid's
Disconnected, Misfits' American Psycho (Michale Graves singing),
Blondie's In The Flesh etc.
Marky's show last 2 hours and here are some examples of their
discussions. Marky asked about Vera's feelings of her going first time
with the
Ramones to the UK. Then they discussed how the Ramones invented the
punk, and of their Sid Vicious memories in New York. Vera told Dee Dee
and she were invited to visit Sid and Nancy at Chelsea Hotel in New
York that night when Nancy got killed. Vera thought Dee Dee would use
dope with Sid and Nancy, and they didn't go.
Dee Dee and Vera got married in 1978, they separated in 1989, and
officially divorced in 1995. Vera explained how Dee Dee wanted to grow
musically and as an artist, and that was one reason why he quit the
Ramones. Soon Dee Dee released his Dee Dee King album Standing In The
Spotlight. Vera explained how because of writer Stephen King, Dee Dee
started to use Dee Dee King name around it when Dee Dee had wrote title
song Pet Sematary for movie. (June 25, 2009)
- 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. Final show was at 565 in La
Plata, Argentina on October 12, 2008. After that Marky had new singer,
Michale Graves (ex-Misfits), and in line-up continued playing guitarist
Alex Kane (Antiproduct) and bassist Clare (Antiproduct etc.).
I thinked to think ask few things from David that people does know that
things are well between him and Marky:
David: "I would say that Marky Ramone and I talked well in advance to
the tour and everything is fine between us, Marky and his wife Marion
have always been super cool people to me as well as Alex and Clare. I've
had great times with all of them and the band that is touring now is
awesome, go see it. Marky, Marion, Clare, Alex and what I knof of
Michael Graves are really cool.
I'm working on my original stuff in a band called
Cheap Vinyl, showing my art at exibits and writing colums for a
magazines.", commented David Divine. (March 4, 2009).
- Rock Scene Brands, LLC is an entertainment based apparel and lifestyle
company. Lead by the vision of its founders, Tara Barrett, Andy Hilfiger
and Marky Ramone, Rock Scene celebrates and pays tribute to
American-Rock culture - mixing rock and roll aesthetics with a brand
heritage derived from the iconic rock magazine from the early 1970s.
This clothing for men and women based on the legendary bible of an era,
Rock Scene Magazine. This spring 2009 collection, in partnership with
Hilfiger Denim, focuses on the rebellious style of punk rock and the New
York music scene from 1978 and is designed by Marky Ramone.
Marky Ramone commented at Dish Mag's Issue 104: "It went back and forth
about three or four times, dealing with a leather jacket. I wanted to
put the stud work on it so it wasn't too over the top, just cool, not
too much. On the jeans I wanted a little bit of stud work, but not to
much either, and I wanted to make sure the quality of the leather on
the coat, and the material, was good. I added the interior of the coat,
I added the stud work, I wanted to make sure the coat had a soft
leather too, because all through life, even through high school, they
were always stiff and it took a long time to break them in. I wanted to
be sure people who were interested in having one of my jackets could
enjoy it right away.", commented Marky for Dish Mag.
Collection features two leather jackets (one each for men and women),
two pairs of jeans, (men's and women's) and a range of five tees that
feature the Rock Scene and Ramones logos.
The collection is available exclusively through Hilfiger Denim,
www.hilfigerdenim.com throughout
Europe, U.S. and Japan. The Marky Ramone Rock Scene Collection can be
found at prices ranging from 40-595 US dollars for both men's and
women's in the United States. Read Marky's interview of
this collection here.
I wanna add mention that Andy Hilfiger has played in some Ramones
related events, like at Joey Ramone's Christmas Tribute on December 19,
2002, and also at Joey Ramone Birthday Bash in 2006. Billy and Andy
Hilfiger were also in King Flux band founded
by
Richie Stotts in 1983. Marky played a while in King Flux but officially
they didn't released any records. King Flux story you will from my
upcoming third Ramones book... (Updated: February 20, 2009)
- I have wrote many times before of Marky Ramone's radio show called
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.
Weekly show lasts two hours and Marky does play beside of the Ramones
songs also music that he likes and which influenced the Ramones. Marky
has also guests in his show. Tommy Ramone will be guest on his show on
February 17, 2009. (February 11, 2009)
- Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg line-up is: drummer Marky Ramone, singer
Michale Graves (ex-Misfits), guitarist Alex Kane (Antiproduct) and
bassist Clare (Antiproduct etc.). They does play in March-April, 2009 in
Mexico, USA, Japan and Australia. More about Marky's shows in general
here. (January 14, 2009)
- Marky Ramone will do a documentary of himself and of his career titled
The Job That Ate
My Brain: The Marky Ramone Story. The film consists of clips of over 40
interviews with various artists, band members and people close to Marky
throughout his career, like some members other members of the Ramones,
and groups where Marky played in his early days: Dust, Wayne County &
The Backstreet Boys and Richard Hell And The Voidoids. (November 28,
2008)
- Osaka Popstar's singer John Cafiero has The Devil Dog Art Show at the
Showroom Gallery in 117 2nd Avenue (7th Street and 2nd Avenue) in New
York, near dear old St. Marks Place. 212-673-5424, 1PM-9PM EST. Premiere
night was October 31, 2008. The show will remain open until November
8th, 2008. As you know, Marky
Ramone is drummer for Osaka Popstar which also features Ivan Julian, Dez
Cadena and Jerry Only. John Cafiero asked over 100 toy designers,
cartoonists, painters and celebrities to customize white vinyl figures
of Osaka Popstar mascot, Devil Dog. More
infos here. (November
4, 2008)
- I informed on my page in 2003-2004 that Marky Ramone and "Ramones
producer" Daniel Rey were visiting Canada for four days in April 2003.
They stepped into the recording studios with Canada's greatest punkrock
band ever, Teenage Head, to record old Teenage
Head tunes, including Little Boxes, Top Down, Lucy Potato, Teenage Beer
Drinking Party, First Time, You're Tearin' Me Apart, Some Kind Of Fun
and Let's Shake. Line up: drummer Marky, vocalist Frankie Venom,
guitarist Gordie Lewis and bassist Steve Marshall. So Daniel Rey
produced songs. It took them only six hours rehearsal
to ready themselves for three days in Hamilton's Catharine North
Studios. Gordie Lewis tells on my second book Rock In Peace:
Dee Dee And Joey Ramone also of those recordings. Gordie Lewis wrote
to me in 2007 that Sonic Unyon Records is the name of
the label in Canada. Release date is April 22, 2008 (not April 8) in the
Canada and June 10 in the USA. CD is distributed worldwide and also
is downloadable via iTunes and Zunior.com. Read more
infos and see tracklisting here.
Later in October, 2008 we got sad news, that Teenage Head lead singer
Frank Kerr aka
Frankie Venom has died of throat cancer, he was only 52 years old...
(Updated info: October 29, 2008)
- Marky Ramone has been doing new Ramones DVD. Marky has plans to
release it in during 2009. Ramones
DVD called Raw
was released in 2004. Marky Ramone and John
Cafiero were mainmen behind it, like it has lot material what Marky
recorded during Ramones tours. Raw DVD has sold gold in Australia, USA
and UK. (October 10, 2008)
- Marky Ramone planned already in 2006-2007 to record few new songs with
his friend called Bluesman. Marky wrote: "I've been working on new songs
that are a fusion of both rock and blues, which is an American
tradition, and which I've found other countries really appreciate... One
in particular is called Stop Thinking."
You can listen song at Marky's MySpace site. Song
will surprise some fans. (September 10, 2008)
- Marky Ramone informed of two radio shows: "For those of you living in
the Los Angeles, USA area, I will be doing a live interview on 97.1
KLSX with Frosty, Heidi and Frank on May 9, 2008. The show airs at 1pm
(PST)." and another radio show: "Tune-in for my interview with Greg
Napier, WMMT 88.7FM, USA on Sunday May 18th at 10pm (EST). You can
listen
to the show at htt://www.wmmtfm.org. (May 8,
2008)
- Marky Ramone wrote that he will be at the opening of the CBGB room at
the Orlando, Florida Hard Rock Cafe with Little Steven Van Zandt on
April 19, 2008. Marky has given some donations to the room.(April 14,
2008)
- The American Social Health Association (ASHA) is reminding the public
that safer sex practices have never been more critical. Despite
hundreds of millions of tax dollars spent on abstinence-only education
programs, each year in the United States there are approximately 19
million new cases of sexually transmitted infections - about half of
which occur among youth ages 15-24. (Source: ASHA)
In honor of National Condom Week, Marky Ramone has unveiled a signature
series of safer sex kits as a means to reach sexually active youth and
adults in a cool, hip way - getting the message out about safer sex
practices through the power of music and pop culture.
Each kit contains two Lifestyles® condoms, lubricant and an STD resource
card - packaged inside a discreet metal tin with Marky Ramone emblem
printed on the front with a tagline that says "Too Tuff To Break". The
kit was produced in partnership with Minneapolis-based organization
Ready two Go.
"The world has lost too many people to STD's of all types and that is
why I joined up with Ready two Go for my signature series of safer sex
tins," says Marky Ramone.
The product can be found online at readytwogo.net. (February 14,
2008)
- The King Of Punk documentary is
directed and produced by Kenneth van Schooten and Julie van Schooten.
King Of Punk contains interviews with many members of legendary and
important punk bands, for example with Marky Ramone, Jayne County,
Cheetah Chrome of the Dead Boys, Charlie Harper of the UK Subs and Keith
'Monkey' Warren of The Adicts. It also profiles OBGYN, an all-girl punk
band based in Fayetteville, NC, USA, and Patrick Clement, owner of FNS
Records. The King of Punk documentary is now available on DVD. (January
15, 2008)
- Marky Ramone was invited to the birthday/ Christmas party of Phil
Spector (born December 26, 1939). Spector produced the Ramones album
End Of The Century in 1980. Marky wrote of his visit: "I was invited to
Phil Spector's Lahambra Castle to celebrate Christmas and Phil's
Birthday. It was a wonderful and festive event. Phil is in excellent
spirits after everything he went through and wishes everyone a great
holiday season and a Happy New Year. I also visited with my friends the
Kessel Brothers and Linda Ramone (Johnny's wife) while in town for the
holidays." (January 5, 2008)
- Marky Ramone will be a DJ at the San Vittore, Milano in Italy
on October 23, 2007. Then he will be guest at Rock TV (Italy) at 14:00
(2PM) on October 24, 2007. He will probably be guest also at Radio 105
and Virgin Radio Italy. Then he will go to Spain and do a small tour
there. See those
dates here. (October 21, 2007)
- Marky played a show at the Beijing Pop Festival in China on September
9, 2007. Also Public Enemy asked him to play Blitzkrieg Bop there with
him. Read
Marky's comments here. And see
photos and read review here. (October 12, 2007)
- Ramones DVD called Raw
was released in 2004. Marky Ramone and John
Cafiero were mainmen behind it, like it has lot material what Marky
recorded during Ramones tours. Now Raw DVD has sold gold in Australia.
Before it has sold gold in the USA and UK. (October 5,
2007)
- Marky Ramone recorded Cherry Bomb song with Cherie Currie of The
Runaways and Wayne Kramer of the MC5. Cherry Bomb is old The Runaways
hit. This new version of the song is released at least in Cherie
Currie's Cherry Bomb CDEP (it has 4 songs), Ramones' Solo Performances
7' (by No
Balls Records) and in Ladies Of The '80s
compilation. You can also buy MP3 of the song (or whole EP) from
here. (August 15, 2007)
- Marky Ramone is touring in Europe also in July and August, 2007. The
Queers are also touring with him in most of the shows. Joe Queer wrote
to me on July 2, 2007: "We are not on the first two shows (the Queers I
mean). The rest we are opening up for Marky Ramone, but me and Dave
Queer (bass player) are playing with Marky for his set also." Sebastian
of the Expulsados is in vocals. Also Marky is playing in August in
Taiwan and in September in China. See these
and Marky's other dates etc.
here. (Updated: July 23, 2007)
- The June 2007 issue of Modern Drummer magazine includes
a 5-page spread on Marky Ramone. The article takes a look at highlights
from Marky's thirty-five year career with some words from Marky himself.
(May 5, 2007)
- Marky Ramone has plans to do an album together with Joe of The Queers
and Ben Weasel of The Screeching Weasel and The Riverdales. They've
discussed of it also in past. Also Marky Ramone will be touring in
Europe with Joe and Dave of the Queers on July 4 - July 22, 2007. More
infos later. (April 10,
2007)
- Here is Marky's letter which he wrote on February, 2007 for you
fans: "2006 was a great year for myself, my friends and fans. From the
looks
of things, 2007 will be even better. A lot of things are happening down
the road. There will be touring to continue the Ramones legacy alive
around the world. I will continue to play the music my fans love on my
radio show The Punk Rock Blitzkrieg on Sirius Satellite
Radio. I will continue to make guest appearances at venues all
over the world. Also, my book which is in the process of being finished
will contain many surprises for all my friends and fans. The name wont'
be called Faith In The Backbeat as previously announced, the working
title will be announced soon. Again, thanks to all my friends for making
2006 one of the best years. Your friend,
- Marky" (February, 15, 2007)
- Marky Ramone and Friends are doing a tour in South America
in March, 2007. They've heard rumors of promotions that they are
touring earlier in South America, but this rumor is not true. See dates
(March, 2007) here.
(December 27, 2006)
- New DVD and CD of Marky Ramone performing live with the Brazilian
band Tequila Baby are now (October, 2006) available in stores
throughout Brazil. They're coming to stores in Argentina probably in
November. The
DVD and CD are called Ao Vivo. See tracklistings here.
Marky has been doing shows with the Tequila Baby in 2000, 2002, 2005,
2006 and also play one song in their one album. Also I thinked
to mention of my "news archives" that "Ramones producer" Daniel Rey
produced the third album of Tequila Baby called Punk Rock Ate Os Ossos
(2002). You can read review of Marky's and Tequila Baby's show in
Brazil on August 6, 2006 by Helio Volpato on my
site,
click here.Tequila Baby's homepage is here. (Updated: November 1,
2006)
- My friend Lynne Cameron (Scotland) wanted to give his own tribute to
Marky Ramone and thank him for all that he does in keeping the Ramones
legacy alive, so she named a star for him in spring 2006. The star is
called Marky's Star (Marky Ramone) and this is in the triangulum
constellation
(the triangle) and with Marky being a drummer and the triangle is in the
percussion family Lynne thought this was very appropriate. Lynne has
also got star named after the Ramones. Gongralutions Lynne. Now in
October (2006) International Star Registry also finally added Marky's
name to the listing Celebrity
Stars. You can see
where star is located, click here.
(Updated: October 4, 2006)
- There's an 3 page long article of Osaka Popstar in Hustler Magazine.
It
includes an interview with Marky Ramone and Osaka Popstar frontman John
Cafiero. The December issue of Hustler will be available and on
newsstands
mid September. Please note, Hustler is a monthly adult magazine that
includes explicit material as well as current-event satire and social
exposes. (August 16, 2006)
- David Kenyon added to his site lot nice photos of Marky's show in UK
in July, 2006. Go to
David Kenyon's site
and click there: "Click here to view my galleries" (down in right) and
you'll find link to
Marky's photos. (July 27, 2006)
- You can read Marky's new interview from LA Weekly homepage, click
here (July 2, 2006)
- On Thursday June 8th, Marky Ramone & Osaka Popstar frontman John
Cafiero
appeared on Mancow's Morning Madhouse for a live interview. If you
missed
the live broadcast, you can listen streaming audio clip, click
here. (June 16, 2006)
- The full-length CD/DVD combo Osaka Popstar And The American Legends Of
Punk was released in Europe on May 22, 2006 and worldwide on May 23,
2006.
Osaka Popstar is helmed by John Cafiero (vocals). Marky Ramone plays
drums
on every
song on The Osaka Popstar album, and other players are Jerry Only
(Misfits)
on bass, Dez Cadena (Black Flag/ Misfits) on guitar and Ivan Julian
(Richard
Hell & The Voidoids) on guitar. So the CD includes a bonus DVD, it's
featuring 2 animated music videos created exclusively for this release,
like
of the first single Wicked World which was animated by the Japanese
designer
Mari-Chan. Wicked World was written by the Daniel Johnston. He also
contributed vocals to the song Man Of Constant Sorrow. Other tracks on
the
album include I Live Off You, Astro Boy, Monsters, Shaolin Monkeys and
The
Richard Hell & Voidoids tracks Blank Generation and Love Comes In
Spurts.
Read one good review of the release, click
here.
You can listen to the final mix of Wicked World in its entirety on the
Osaka Popstar
site. Before rough mix of the Wicked World was featured on Rykodisc's
20th Anniversary 2-CD compilation set.
Cafiero has said following of the recordings/ line-up: "It's great to
work
with your friends and who better for a band than the guys who started
the
scene? This is my own personal Punk Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame"
And about Marky: "Marky Ramone is my absolute favorite drummer. It's
surreal
because when I was a kid in garage bands I used to always tell my
drummers
to play like Marky. And he surprised us, all the musicians noticed it
- unlike his previous work where he may have been more regimented, like
in
the Ramones, he really does some incredible playing in his fills. He
breaks
the mold, and it sounds great" (Updated June 15, 2006)
- Marky Ramone has been invited for the opening act of Pablo
Echaurren's
exibition Painting On Ramones' Rhythm which takes place at Rome's
Auditorium from the June 24. Marky will attend the opening from 7PM.
The exibition will be one of Rome's main
spring events. It is a big exibition by the artist Pablo Echaurren, a
big
Ramones fan who always does his artworks listening to Ramones' albums.
Here will be a selection of Ramones' pictures and pictures inspired by
Ramones' songs and it will be opened until the July 30, 2006. Check out
his new book Chiamatemi Pablo Ramone, it's released by Fernandel Di
Ravenna.
There's also another exhibition where is Pablo's paintings dedicated to
the Ramones. This another exhibition is between May 26 - September 25.
It's at Palazzo Delle Papesse, address is Via di Citta, 126, 53100
Siena,
Italy. (May 9, 2006)
- Marky
Ramone interview is on Johnny Thunders release After The Dolls -
1977-1987 (CD + DVD). More
infos here.
- Fuel 2000 Records / Varese Sarabande released on March 21, 2006 Marky
Ramone: Start Of The
Century - Punkology 1 -2CD collection. More infos of it
here (March 30, 2006)
- Dee Jaywalker from the former
Marky Ramone And The SpeedKings is been busy as a
solo artist. Dee have been playing since the late seventies and he's
still
strongly into punk and also recently recorded new stuff, the music is of
course also related to the Ramones. His solo album is coming out at the
end of April, 2006 on
Nicotine
Records (Italy). He also gigged for the first time with his new band
under the name of Goodcopbadcop, Paolo, Sven and Annette are his
partners
in crime at this moment. Dee also got website: http://www.deejaywalker.com, but
at the moment Dee is doing new design for it. (Updated: March 14,
2006)
- On BBC Radio 2 (UK) starts in Saturday February 11, 2006 (20:30-21:30)
a new 3 part series tracing the story of New Wave from 1970's New York
right up to the second wave of bands such as The Killers, Franz
Ferdinand & Bloc
Party. Contributors include Marky Ramone, Debbie Harry, Elvis Costello,
Patti Smith, and music journalist Lester Bangs. Second part comes
out in February 18 and third in February 25. (February 8,
2006)
- Marky Ramone is on HDNet TV in this and next week, Marky tell his
story about growing up in New York, 30 years of world touring, CBGB's
etc.
Program is called Sound Off With Matt Pinfield. Matt is former MTV host.
Episodes comes out in following days: 1) Sun January 22, 2006, 8.30pm ET
and 11.30pm ET 2) Mon January 23, 7pm ET 3) Thu January 26, 7pm ET and
4) Sun January 29, 4.30pm ET. Homepage of HDNet is here.
(January 22, 2006)
- There's a semi-secret The Osaka Popstar free Christmas song The
Christmas That Almost Wasn't download available now that will only be
online for the next couple of days at (in Christmas time 2005): http://www.osakapopstar.com Just
click the link that says Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Track
includes Marky Ramone on drums. And Marky plays drums on every
song on The Osaka Popstar album, it is now finished and will be
released in 2006. And I repeat, song will only be on the site for the
next
few days.
(December 23, 2005)
- Marky Ramone was touring in South America with Tequila Baby. And as a
bonus, Marky Ramone was the special guest of Pearl Jam's show at
Gigantinho in Porto Alegre, Brazil on November 28, 2005. There was 18
000
fans. During the encore
Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder, who was close friend with Johnny
Ramone,
called to the stage the Marky to play Ramones song I Believe In Miracles
-
song that Pearl Jam recorded in some of the live shows thrown in 2003
and
Vedder recorded with Zeke in the Ramones tribute album We're A Happy
Family
Marky commented to the Zero Hora this way:
"Eddie Vedder is a great fan of the Ramones. He came with us to Brazil
in
1994, only to be close"
And: "Yesterday (Monday), it was my rest night, then I wanted to have
fun
a little. I went to the alone gym to give a " hi " for them. And they
invited me to play. We didn't rehearse anything. It was very good, very
entertaining."
(William sent this info, his site is
here.
(December 7, 2005)
- God Save The Queen - A Punk Rock Anthology -DVD is featuring Marky
Ramone, Marky talks about The Ramones in general. Mostly DVD is
featuring
music, not talk. The 75-minute will include 21 live and studio
performances from "old school" punk bands. This is a collection that
well
exemplifies roots punk rock of the 70s. From the USA (Ramones, Iggy &
The
Stooges, The Dead Boys) to the UK (The Buzzcocks, Generation X). DVD
covers some of the most influential punk rock anthems of all time. DVD
comes out by MVD/Cleopatra. Release date changed, it's now: January 24,
2006. Tracklisting
is here. (November 28, 2005)
- Marky Ramone recorded in LA in late October a song that has Wayne
Kramer
(DKT/MC5) on guitar and Cheri Curry (Currie?) on vocals. More infos of
that session later. (November 9, 2005)
- Marky Ramone goes to Brazil to play with
Tequila Baby
on November, 23 (Bar Opiniao, Porto Alegre - RS) and November 24, 2005
(Pavilhoes da Festa da Uva, Caxias do Sul - RS). In both nights Tequila
Baby is going to play first 15 songs and then with Marky 15 songs more
etc. Marky is played also before shows with Tequila Baby.
And Marky also goes to Argentina and Chile in December. See dates here.
(Updated: November 9,
2005)
- Now is released (Rhino Records)
Richard Hell Spurts: The Richard Hell
Story collection. Hell dropped out of high school in Lexington,
Kentucky,
and traveled to New York to become a poet. Hell has lived now for 30
years
in the East Village, where's (like you know) also CBGB's etc. Hell
formed
with Tom Verlaine Television in 1974 and they were playing lot shows
together with the Ramones. Hell was forming The Heartbreakers in 1975.
And
then in 1976 he formed The Voidoids together with Marc Bell (Marky
Ramone), Robert Quine and Ivan Julian. Richard Hell & The Voidoids
released in 1977 classic Blank Generation album. This collection has 4
songs from that album: Blank Generation, Liars Beware, Walking On The
Water and Love Comes In Spurts. Marky plays in them and also in song Oh
which Hell, Marc (Marky), Robert Quine and Ivan Julian recorded in 2001
to
the Wayne Kramer Presents Beyond Cyberpunk CD. In all this collection
has
21 songs, like interesting demos from pre-Television group The Neon
Boys.
Collection has really great booklet, like Hell is telling of the songs
to the Robert Christgau and Carola Dibbell in interview style of.
Booklet
also has photos, one pic also contains Marky. (October 17, 2005)
- Marky is starting his own radio show on Sirius satellite radio.
Marky is debuting from 7pm to 9pm on Tuesday October 4, 2005 on
Fiction channel 28. Then it comes again on Saturday 10pm to 12pm on
Disorder channel 24. So Marky is going to DJ on there once a week live.
(Updated: September 28, 2005)
- Marky was touring in August in Germany, UK, Ireland and USA. Read my
story of shows in Wacken here,
article of show in London in Sun newspaper
here and Lynne Cameron's story of show in Milton Keynes, UK is here (before Lynne's
review there's many photos and then you've to scroll down a bit).
(Updated: August 29, 2005)
- Marky Ramone is also writing a book. He's told of it for me before.
Now
he commented for me: "I will be finished with my book soon and it
comes
out in 2006. The name of my book will be "Faith in the BackBeat", about
my times in
the punkscene before, during and after the Ramones." (Updated:
August
14)
- Marky played with Lisa Marie Presley at NYC City Hall, 5
0'clock Thursday (May 19, 2005), in the park. Lisa Marie Presley did at
first around 10 songs, then Marky came up and they punked the Ramones
song Here Today Gone Tommorrow. Then show was over. (Updated May
20)
- Doll magazine from Japan has wrote regularly of the Ramones. Marky
Ramone just played with Misfits in Japan and Doll magazine did there
interview with Marky (Marky played today on April 30, 2005 last show
with
Misfits). Issue number 214 contains that interview, also Seein' Red,
Dillinger Escape Plan, Street Dogs etc. (April 30, 2005)
- The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a non-profit organization
dedicated
to improving the quality of education in America's public schools by
restoring music programs in cities across the country and raising public
awareness about the importance of music participation for our nation's
youth. Five of New York's most popular rock acts will perform at the
Rock
& Roll Ball, a Benefit Concert for VH1 Save the Music, at the Knitting
Factory in New York City on Tuesday, May 10 at 7:00 PM. "Guest of
Honor,"
Ramones drummer Marky Ramone, will also be on hand to represent the
legendary musicians who began their careers in New York. Hosted by
concert
presenter and VH1 "Metal Moments" Metal Expert, John Ostronomy, the show
will feature Nef Jones, Captain T & Ostronomy with special guest Richie
Scarlet, Lourds, Queen V, and Joker Five Speed. More info:
KnittingFactory.com.
(April 20, 2005)
- Marky recorded a show in Mexico with some friends last year, which
came
out great. He will be putting it out as his tribute; 17 songs, and a
DVD,
it will be called Live Down Mexico Way. (March 10, 2005)
- Lynne Cameron had one copy of the Ramones RAW DVD to give to a lucky
winner. This was a funny caption contest. Here is the pic and fans had
to
make up
a funny caption for what they thought Marky might be saying. The
closing
date of the contest was February 28, 2005 and the lucky
winner was Carlos A Claudio from Brazil. So he got RAW DVD. Marky
Ramone's Wrecking Crew.
(March 3, 2005)
- Read great interview with Marky. It's in a Provogator.org netmag
(Prague, Zcech). It's done during
Marky's and Tarakany's tour in Europe in January.
Read it here. They'll also have a Tarakany interview very soon up.
(February 15)
- Marky Ramone was just at a Conshohocken recording studio laying down
the
classic I Wanna Be Sedated, with kids from the Paul Green School of
Rock Music. The tune will appear on the soundtrack of Rock School, Don
Argott's documentary film about Green and the pint-size rock stars he
teaches. Deep Purple's Ian Gilliam is due here soon to record Highway
Star with students for the soundtrack, which also will include songs
from
Jon Anderson of Yes, Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, and Alice Cooper.
(January 17, 2005)
RICHIE RAMONE -NEWS: JANUARY 2005 - DECEMBER
2009
- Richie Ramone is going to play in a concert also few days before he
does play at Joey Ramone Birthday Bash on May 19, 2009.
May 16, 2009, Broadway Under The Stars is featuring Southern Utah's
Southwest Symphony with Richie Ramone as a guest. The symphony is
conducted by Maestro Gary Caldwell and includes 85 musicians from Dixie
State College and Washington County in a program of audience pleasing
qfavorites from Broadway shows. This concert is on Saturday, May
16, 8:00 PM at the stunning Tanner Amphitheater in Springdale, Utah.
Richie will perform his original suite for drums and orchestra
based upon Leonard Bernsteins's music from West Side Story arranged by
Richie Ramone and Ron Abel under the direction of Richie Ramone.
Tickets are 10 US$ adults or 5US$ youth and may be purchased from
here.
(April 16, 2009)
- Richie Ramone will play second time at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash
on May 19, 2009. Venue is The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza. The
Friends Of Joey Ramone will feature Richie Ramone, Mickey Leigh, and
many others. Also performing are Uncle Monk featuring Tommy Ramone &
Claudia Tienan, Fishbone, Supersuckers, Bebe Buell is having in her band
for example Kitty Kowalski, and then are in schedule also Tom Clark &
The High Action Boys. (March 30, 2009)
- Richie Ramone (Richard Reinhardt) has lost a lawsuit against the
estate of late bandmate Johnny Ramone over outstanding royalties, after
a judge threw the case out of court. Richie filed suit against Ramones'
estate and the Ramones management company in September 2007,
claiming he is owed 1 million US$ in unpaid cash for songs like Somebody
Put Something In My Drink, I'm Not Jesus and I Know Better Now.
Like most of you knows, Richie played four years in the band from
1983 to 1987. Richie said he never signed over the rights to six songs
he wrote for the group that are currently available as internet
downloads. But in a New York court on April 18, 2008, U.S.
District Judge Shira Scheindlin ruled that Richie had signed a contract
when he joined the Ramones, which clearly covered the digital use of
his songs etc. (April 24, 2008)
- There was Joey Ramone Memory Birthday Bash at the Fillmore New York at
Irving Plaza, NYC on May 19, 2008. You got chance to buy tickets
from here (Ticketmaster site). Price of the ticket was 23.50 US$.
Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh was again main organisator of the
Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. He wrote to me an E-mail that Richie Ramone
will play at the Bash in 2008. Sadly a bit later arrived info
that Richie Ramone had to cancel his appearance.
Richie Ramone
played at the Bash once earlier in 2006.
Tommy Ramone confirmed for me on March 31, 2008 that he or Uncle
Monk (band of Tommy and Claudia Tienan) doesn't play this year at
the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. Uncle Monk will be touring then
elsewhere. More infos later. (Updated: April 23, 2008)
- Richie will be touring with symphony and pops orchestras also in
2009. Richie Ramone opened his official site. Check it
out here. (September 19, 2007)
- I have informed you before that Richie is starting a new career as a
drum soloist. Like he is touring with symphonies and symphonic pops
orchestras around the world in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of
West Side Story etc.
He has played now shows for example with the Pasadena Pops. One of the
most notable performance was on July 4th 2007 at the Rose Bowl in
Pasadena California when Richie was featured soloist with the Pasadena
Pops. He was playing a 20 minute drum solo medley of West Side Story,
arranged with noted Broadway composer Ron Abel.
Other recent dates were:
Fly Me to the Moon on June 22 and 23, 2007.
Water, Water Everywhere on July 20, 21 and 22, 2007.
76 Trombones with special Salute to Westside Story at beautiful Descanso
Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, CA, USA on August 17, 18 and 19,
2007.
The performances has been conducted by noted Pops Music Director
Maestra Rachael Worby. For example Maria Montoya-Kaye and her husband
David attended one of the shows in August. They were really impressed.
So Richie played drums in a
specially arranged suite from West Side Story. Also on the program was
for example Jean Sibelius' Finlandia and Franz Waxman's
Theme from Peyton Place.
Richie has done also some interviews, for example for KABC AM on
August 11, 2007. They played Somebody Put
Something In My Drink and Smash You (those both Ramones songs are
written by Richie Ramone), as well West Side Story. You can read
Richie Ramone's interview in
LA
Weekly in August 15. Here you can watch
one news clip which link Richie and his wife sent for me.
(Updated: August 21, 2007)
- Richie Ramone made a long awaited appearance, he performed at the Joey
Ramone Birthday Bash this year with a line-up that included Joey's
friends Andy Shernoff, Cheetah Chrome, and appearances by Tommy Ramone,
Richie Stotts, George Tabb, Bebe Buell, Jean Beauvoir, Joey Lanz and
Walt Stack from the Bullys, and many more guests... Read
here basic infos of the event and here you can find report of my
trip to the
Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. (June 10, 2006)
- Richie Ramone has turned up after a two-decade absence to speak for
the animals! Read more of this subject
here!
CJ RAMONE -NEWS: JANUARY
2005 - DECEMBER 2009
- The fifth annual Johnny Ramone and Ramones outdoor event
presented by Linda
Ramone in association with the JRA (Johnny Ramone Army), was held
again. It was in a memory of Johnny Ramone on Saturday October 3rd, 2009
at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (6000 Santa Monica Blvd.) in Los
Angeles, CA, USA. See more infos with many
photos taken by me here.
You can find lot material also from Johnny's
official site and Gaston Sanchez's
site.
Sole survivor of the original Ramones line-up, Tommy
Ramone, and CJ Ramone both were on hand to celebrate Johnny's
legacy. Special homage was also paid to Dee Dee Ramone. Original
paintings
by Dee Dee were exhibited on site in an art show curated by his wife,
Barbara Zampini (Ramone).
Songs from a full-length, "It's Alive" Ramones concert at the Rainbow
Theatre in London on December 31, 1977, was screened outdoors, after
dark on a 24-foot mausoleum wall (as in Hollywood Forever's summer film
program Cinespia). The double feature concluded with the world premiere
of the
1968 cult classic movie Night Of The Living Dead in 3D. Live broadcast
was at 98,7FM, Complete
Control Radio. Television channel E!'s "That Morning Show" had in
advance an interview with Johnny's wife Linda and actress Rose McGowan,
they had a discussion of the Ramones and Johnny in general, of this
event. Click
here to see it. (Updated: October 12, 2009)
- CJ Ramone was touring in Europe in July-August, 2009 and he
had some shows as a support band to Die Toten Hosen (Germany) in
Germany and Switzerland. Also he had headliner shows in
Mexico, USA, United Kingdom, Scotland/ United Kingdom etc.
"Ramones producer" Daniel Rey was touring with CJ and Brant Bjork of
Queens Of The Stone Age and FuManchu. I was in Germany with them.
See lot great photos and read
more here. (Updated: October 5, 2009)
- Around May 23, 2009, became public CJ's wish. I also wrote in advance:
CJ Ramone support Walk Now For Autism event. The fundraising Walk Now
For Autism is on June 14, 2009 and hopefully many are helping "Team CJ
Ramone" to raise as much money as possible for this good cause. CJ's
first children Liam was diagnosed with autism.
CJ Ramone wrote in May, 2009: "I decided to participate in
this Walk Now For Autism event because in 1999, my son Liam was
diagnosed with autism. Since that time, with the love and support of my
family and I and the help of many therapists, teachers, doctors, etc.,
Liam has come a long way."
Walk was located in South Street Seaport in New Yor, USA.
CJ's fundraising goal was 2,500.00 US$. That was passed around June 10,
so to the charity was given more than 2 500 dollars. After walk in
June 16, it was donated 3075.00 dollars.
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$), and Robert May (100$).
CJ Ramone wanted to thank everyone who helped. CJ wrote to me on June
16, 2009:
"I just wanted to say thanks to everybody for helping to support Team
CJ Ramone and Walk Now For Autism. Just so you all know, all your
donations added up to a lot more than we had initially thought we
could reach in 3 weeks! The walk went great and I took part in the
ribbon cutting ceremony and me and the family got to meet the
Governor. Thanks again for your support and I hope that next year
you'll all be able to come out and walk with us! CJ Ramone"
Click
here to visit CJ's personal web page of this walk, and help him to
support Autism Speaks
.
(Updated: June 16, 2009)- In October 2008, CJ Ramone asked me to add link to the website where you can buy his official T-shirts, you can see them now also through his new site www.cjramone.com. There are regular "CJ Ramone American Punk", Bad Chopper and Los Gusanos (Los Gusanos is CJ's old band) T-shirts, baseball T-shirts, women's cap sleeve T-shirts etc. (Updated: May 23, 2009)
- CJ's band the Bad Chopper did play first shows since 2004 in July-August, 2008. They had tour in South America in August and the show in Buenos Aires was recorded for potential release on CD or DVD. Bad Chopper is not sure at this time which will see the light of day, but at least one of them surely will. (December 8, 2008)
- CJ Ramone played Ramones song I Believe In Miracles as a guest with Pearl Jam at the show at Madison Square Garden in New York, USA on June 24, 2008. Pearl Jam played 13 songs in three encores, I Believe In Miracles was played in second encore. You can see bootleg recording of that appearance here.
Pearl Jam has played many times I Believe In Miracles at live. Also Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder recorded it together with Zeke to the Ramones tribute album We're A Happy Family. Eddie Vedder inducted the Ramones into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame on March 18, 2002 and he also appearanced at last Ramones show on August 6, 1996 etc. (June 25, 2008)
- Dutch journalist Bram van Schaik did an interview with CJ Ramone for UP Magazine issue #44 in Netherlands. CJ tells in this interview that he is doing a book with his wife about his years with the Ramones. They hope to get book published in 2008. Read interview here. (February 24, 2008)
- The Bad Chopper finished recording their full length album in January 2007. And it was released in CD format in December 2007 (LP format February, 2008)! Album has 12 songs, and only 2 of them were officially released before. They recorded etc. songs together with "Ramones producer" Daniel Rey. They were doing artwork of the album with time etc. Album is released by Acme Records. More infos also in this location in my site. (Updated: February 24, 2008)
- CJ played in a heavy metal band called Axe Attack before he joined the
Ramones, Axe Attack recorded two albums. In Great Britain label was
Heavy Metal America. Band also used name Guitar Pete's Axe Attack.
Albums were called Dead Soldier's Revenge (1985) and Nightmare/Nitemare
(1986). In French album was titled Nightmare and it was released by
Axe Killer. In USA album was titled Nitemare and label was Napalm
Records etc. This photo from mid eighties is from Rockdetector
internet site. CJ is second from left. Click here
to read also mini bio of Axe Attack on Rockdetector. And click
here to see tracklistings of LP's and scans of covers.
(Updated: January 10, 2007)- The Continental club on St. Marks Place in New York closed it's doors on September 17, 2006, after 15 years. Trigger is owner of The Continental and he said that there will be grand re-opening on October 11, 2006 (9PM). Main difference is then that bands will not be playing anymore at The Continental. Joey, Dee Dee, Marky and CJ played there really many shows or did guest appearances. CJ Ramone was playing also on September 17, 2006. CJ and Daniel Rey performed full Ramones set with special guests. Like they played Commando, Blitkzrieg Bop, 53rd And 3rd, Poison Heart, Rockaway Beach, Beat On The Brat, Strength To Endure.... Walter Lure wrote to me in advance that he will perform with them probably some songs, and he did Chinese Rocks, Born To Lose (Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers) and the Last Time (Rolling Stones). Earlier on that same night also The Bullys, Lenny Kaye, Handsome Dick Manitoba, Ross The Boss etc. were playing. (October 1, 2006)
- For the past couple of years CJ has really concentrated on his kids. They're getting big now and he want to be around them all the time. That's why he haven't played much or done any touring. He told in May, 2005 that Bad Chopper CD was almost completed and it should come out by the end of this year (2005), or beginning of next year (2006) (Updated: December 23, 2005)
- CJ recorded song together with Bien Desocupados (Argentina) to the Todos Somos Ramones tribute album released by Rockaway Records/ Mariano Asch. (February, 2005)
- CJ Ramone was going to play four shows in South-America, but tour has been cancelled by the artist's own decision. More info here. (September 21, 2005)