GENERAL RAMONES NEWS:
- Edward Bottger and his radio mate George Alley did to their podcast I'm Going to Kill You! an interview with PJ Soles. It begin with memories of "Ramones movie" Rock And Roll High School. PJ Soles acted as Riff Randell and she talks about her memories of making the movie, and the Ramones, especially of the Thanksgiving she spent with them. PJ also promoted Johnny Ramone event organised on July 25th. As well Edward and George interview PJ of other movies, she starred in movies like Carrie, Halloween, The Totally Girl etc. Listen show here. And here is main page of their podcast. (July 30, 2010)
- Marky Ramone claims he's getting screwed out his cut of the Ramones' royalties, and now Marky is trying to legally get what he thinks he deserves. In a documents in New York Supreme Court he refers to royalties deal in 2005. Somehow in 2008, the payouts stopped. Marky claims the people in charge of distributing royalties completely snubbed their 2005 contract, pocketing cuts of Ramones money that didn't belong to them, shafting Marky in the process. Marky Ramone has counted it is 175 000 US$, and over one million US$ in punitive damages. (July 19, 2010)
- Red Velvet Media's blogtalkradio has Ramones special on July 23, 2010, at 5PM USA Eastern Time/ 2PM USA Pacific Time. The guests are Tommy Ramone along with Ramones tour manager Monte Melnick. This is 1,5 hours long special also featuring surprise guest callers. This show is hosted by Holly Stephey and Rock Art Master Spencer Drate who is designer of some Ramones album covers. You can join show calling it: +1 347 677-1036. (July 19, 2010)
- The 1234 doo-whop/punk combo is from France and they recorded and covered 12 Ramones songs or songs what Ramones had covered. Ramones tribute album The 1234 Sing Ramones was released by French label Rock Paradise.
Doo-whop/ doo-wop became popular in 50's and 60's and it is a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music. Pop oriented style has smooth, consonant vocal harmonies. The 1234 has four members: Jacky Ramolli and Nano Ramolli are tenors, Bernardo Ramolli is baritone and Jesus Ramolli is alto.
Opening track She's The One is a great choice to doo-whop kind of style. The 1234 had lowered tempo in songs like I Wanna Be Sedated and in general it is pretty much version what they wanted to keep simple. Rockaway Beach is faster one in their rate. Most of the songs has frolicsome and as well tongue-in-cheek elements. The 1234 concentrated to early Ramones albums. Most new song is Daytime Dilemma (Dangers Of Love) from Too Tough To Die album.
You can listen samples on their MySpace page.
Rock Paradise is specialized to 50's and 60's music. Rock Paradise had released earlier for example albums by Chris Wilson (ex member of The Flamin' Groovies) and Tony Marlow. See more of Rock Paradise on their homepage and on their MySpace page. (July 14, 2010).
- In May 2010, I spoke with Trigger, owner of The Continental club on St. Marks Place in New York, USA. Trigger told he will have special re-union night once in a year also in future, in Sunday in mid January before Martin Luther Day. One was already on January 17, 2010. It was re-union night of "real" The Continental with artists who had played a lot at the Continental in past. In addition to CJ Ramone, Daniel Rey and Brant Bjork (they played as a trio) night also featured Cheetah Chrome (ex-Dead Boys), Walter Lure's band The Waldos, Lenny Kaye, Bebe Buell, The Bullys, Heap, Charm School, Two Man Advantage, Sea Monster and Trigger's Allstars.
Here I write a bit of The Continental history. Ramones members played a great deal at The Continental club. Joey Ramone had many of his special parties there and Dee Dee Ramone, Marky Ramone, and Dee Dee's wife Barbara Zambini, recorded a live show there in July 1997. The CD was released under the name Ramainz: Live In N.Y.C. Joey's very last full-length concert was at The Continental on December 11, 2000.... A memorial plaque dedicated to Joey was placed in the club. A lot of people were deeply saddened when The Continental closed their doors on September 17, 2006. CJ Ramone performed for the final night on September 17, 2006. CJ and Daniel Rey performed a full Ramones set with special guests like Walter Lure. Trigger said that as his rents and overhead went up each year, it became undoable to have a punk club in the neighbourhood these days - the crowd wasn't there to support it. For me and for many other people the authenticity of The Continental closed.
Even after the remodelling and re-opening of the new place with use of the same name, it is different from what it once was. At the grand re-opening on October 11, 2006, Trigger said the club will have a main difference, he will not have bands play anymore - only mainly acoustic shows and it is "trendy bar." In May 2010 it still was "trendy bar", Trigger told me he even has no acoustic shows anymore as not too many people attended those shows. (June 23, 2010)
- Coverlaydown has put together a collection of classic punk tracks covered in folk styles. It is titled All Folked Up: The Punk Rock Collection, Vol. 1. Among the acts covered are Ramones, Agnostic Front, Bad Brains, Black Flag, Blondie, Husker Du, The Stooges, The Clash, The Damned, The Jam, The Wipers and Wire. Coverlaydown had collected songs to their internet site. You can listen there of the Ramones songs I Wanna Be Sedated by Allo Darlin, Questioningly by Jesse Malin, Havana Affair (live) by John Frusciante, and Rockaway Beach (live) by Hamell On Trial and. Visit Coverlaydown site here. (June 17, 2010)
- Article in The Wall Street Journal written by Jacqueline Palank tells following...: "CBGB Holdings LLC, which two years ago purchased the name and copyrights associated with Manhattan's legendary punk-rock club CBGB, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Friday (June 11, 2010). The company, reported assets and debts each in the range of $1 million to $10 million in its bankruptcy petition, filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan.
CBGB Holdings. founding partners, James Blueweiss and Robert Williams, as well as the company's bankruptcy attorney, weren't immediately available for comment. The company didn't say in court papers why it filed for bankruptcy protection. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Blueweiss and Williams teamed up in 2008 to pay $3.5 million for all of the legendary club's intellectual property, which Hilly Kristal opened in 1973. Before the club shuttered in 2006, its stage hosted performances by the Ramones, Patti Smith, the B-52's, the Talking Heads, Debbie Harry of Blondie, Green Day and Pearl Jam.
Since CBGB Holdings purchased the defunct club's brand, they've donated memorabilia to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex NYC and have taken steps to revive the brand including signing a distribution deal to sell T-shirts featuring the club's well-known logo." (June 14, 2010)
- Max Cavalera has been active in music since 1984 when he formed Sepultura in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Over the course of his extensive music career, which led him to front Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy and release an album with side project Nailbomb, he's toured the world over innumerous times and with innumerous bands.
Metal Hammer asked from Max Cavalera what his five favorite tour moments have been so far. Max told as his tour highlight was tour with the Ramones in South-America in 1994. Next were: 2) tour with the Slayer, 3) tour with the Ministry, 4) tour with the Pantera and Morbid Angel and 5) tour with the Hatebreed.
See here video of Max telling his choices with comments (May 24, 2010)
- Ramones tour manager Monte A. Melnick wrote of John Giddings being honored as "International Agent Of The Decade" in IQ Magazine March 2010 Issue #28. Giddings worked with the Ramones 19 years. After hired as a junior agent to MAM Agency (thanks to Barry Dickins), John Giddings first worked with the Sex Pistols. Here are some quotes from article: "By 1977, the infamous "year of punk", Giddings had taken on The Adverts, X-Ray Spex and the Boomtown Rats; via Dickins' friendship with manager Linda Stein he began working with the Ramones, and via MAM agent Ian Wright came Iggy Pop, whose flatmate David Bowie also played in the band - both acts Giddings represents today."
"When he picked up The Stranglers, the learning curve steepened dramatically, and then the Ramones and Iggy took off in Europe."
Monte A. Melnick is quoted in that article: "The Ramones worked with John Giddings in Europe and then worldwide from their very early years all the way through their entire career. John being a consummate professional always understood the right venues and billings to put the Ramones on and the band and I appreciated this."
"I'll never forget the time we played a bullring in Madrid, Spain. Just before the show started the Spanish army marches out all armed with machine guns and forms a line in front of the stage (the Spanish promoter never mentioned this was going to happen). I turned to John and said, "this is the best stage security we have ever had at a Ramones' show!", explains Monte.
Some other artists with whom Giddings works (or worked) are The Cure, Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna... (April 4, 2010)
- The Ramones road manager Monte Melnick will be doing a live radio interview on Wednesday March 10th at 8PM on WTSR 91.3 FM http://wtsr.org on Randy Now's Capitol Garage program. The show is hosted by Randy "Now" Ellis who books The Record Collector in Bordentown, NJ, USA, where on March 12, 2010, Monte will be doing a powerpoint talk on the Ramones as a Q&A + book signing (Monte's and Frank Meyer's book is On The Road With The Ramones
Also
Andy
Shernoff of The Dictators,
The
Master Plan etc. will be there. Andy will do live performance and
he tells of his experiences as a spoken
word appearance. You will read lot Andy Shernoff's Joey Ramone and
Ramones related memories from my new book Ramones:
Soundtrack Of Our Lives, his interview on it is 5 pages long. (March
1, 2010)-
Linda
Stein was found murdered in her Fifth Avenue (New York, USA) penthouse
on October 30, 2007. Jury selection in the murder trial was finally
started on January 10, 2010. Jurors had to fill out a basic
questionnaire and asked if they were available for a two-month
trial.Through Linda Stein's marriage in to Sire Records founder Seymour Stein transformed herself from a fifth-grade teacher in the Bronx to Ramones manager (she was managing the Ramones with Danny Fields during the early years of the Ramones career) etc. Sire Records was the original record label for bands including the Ramones, Talking Heads, and Madonna. After Linda and Seymour divorced, she transformed herself again. She got her real-estate license and became a "real estate agent to the stars." Angelina Jolie, Sting, Madonna etc. were her clients.
Linda Stein was found beaten to death in her. She was left bludgeoned to death on the living room floor. Stein's personal assistant Natavia Lowery was arrested and charged with the 62 year old's murder after police noted she "made statements implicating herself". Lowery has given videotaped confession etc. During the trial, prosecutors are expected to argue that Lowery frequently stole money from her employers, including Stein, according to what was suggested in court. An argument, possibly over money, prompted Lowery to bludgeon her with a yoga stick, the suspect reportedly told police in the confession.
However, she later pleaded not guilty and denied all knowledge of Stein's death before blaming a masked man for the murder. If convicted, Lowery faces 25 years to life behind bars.
January 27, 2010, was written in New York Daily's article by Joanna Molloy:
"Linda Stein's accused killer wanted to meet famous people. Natavia Lowery wanted to meet Denzel Washington so badly she took $4,000 out of the rock 'n' roll Realtor's account to do so. "If you donated to the Boys & Girls Club," prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon explained, "you'd get two tickets to the premiere of 'American Gangster.'" Lowery did, and she went.
The irony was that Stein could have introduced her to virtually everyone in show biz. Lowery wanted famous? How about a singer you may have heard of - Madonna? Stein's record executive hubby, Seymour Stein, discovered her in a downtown club. He was printing money, but Linda was touring Europe as manager of The Ramones, and they had a bitter split.
- We were married, we were divorced, there were maybe three or four rocky years, and then we became friends again. We had a better friendship than the marriage. I loved her., Seymour Stein said in a court. (Updated: January 27, 2010)
- In celebration of their 20th anniversary, Swedish rockers and punkers - Backyard Babies - released in late 2009 Them XX collection. Them XX has a 120-page photo-book, 3 CD's plus 1 DVD. CD1 is "best of" disc. One of those 12 tracks is a song entitled Friends.
Many of you may already know that Joey Ramone recorded Friends with Backyard Babies which is believed to be Joey's last recording with any band. The song Friends was first released on the Backyard Babies album entitled Stockholm Syndrome in 2003. All of my books has some interviews with BB members. In my second book Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone guitarist-singer Dregen explains longer of Friends and background of recordings. Like Joey was then already big fan of their song called Powderhead.
Them XX's CD3 begin with Pet Sematary. Swedish gentlemen recorded Ramones cover to The Song Ramones The Same tribute album (2002). CD's 2 and 3 has lot B-sides and rarities, live recordings etc.
Them XX's photo book has photo of Joey Ramone and bassist Johan Blomqvist. My latest book Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives has interview with Johan, it has also photos of Marky with a band in Sweden in 2005. Marky and I spent day-off and Backyard Babies were set to play a show that night. BB wanted Marky to be their special guest. At first Marky wasn't sure as he didn't know much about band, but soon changed his mind after I told him all about the band. In Finland Them XX was released by Spinefarm Records. (January 19, 2010)
- Die Toten Hosen is founded in 1982 and group is one of the most famous German rock bands. CJ Ramone (in his line-up were also Daniel Rey and Brant Bjork) supported five times Die Toten Hosen in his European tour in August, 2009. They had sold-out show with 22 000 people because of Die Toten Hosen, in Waldbuhne in Berlin. Die Toten Hosen recorded this Waldbuhne's show and of it was released lot of material in December, 2009. There is out now DVD and blu-ray (Machmalauter: Die Toten Hosen Live! [Blu-ray] [2009]
). Also release titled Machmalauter: Die Toten Hosen Live!
is available as a double CD and double vinyl.
DTH are long time Ramones fans and supporters. Of their Ramones
related background you can
for example read from my report of CJ's some shows and of this show in
Waldbuhne. See here report
of CJ's show and from here of Die
Toten Hosen's show and of some of their Ramones related things.
(January 15, 2010)- Vive Le Punk! is one great net magazine which has lot punk, 80's hardcore, new wave stuff etc. This UK based site has many special reviews, interviews include chat with Dee Dee's ex-wife Vera of her book titled Poisoned Heart: I Married Dee Dee Ramone (The Ramones Years), The Chelsea Smiles (band of former D-Generation /Danzig guitarist Todd Youth, and ex-band of Dee Dee's guitarist Christian Martucci), and Social Distortion. Vive Le Punk! also lists interesting upcoming shows in the UK etc. Big Cheese Magazine magazine and site is runned by same people (including Eugene Butcher). Latest issue (#118) has interviews with Alexsonfire, Billy Talent, Slayer, HIM and The Living End. (January 8, 2010)
- There is information in some net stores (like Amazon.com)
of The Ramones: American Punk
Rock Band (Rebels of Rock) book being published on January 1, 2010 by Enslow Publishers (USA). Publisher
wrote me: "Now it looks like this book won't be released until June
2010."Author of The Ramones: American Punk Rock Band (Rebels of Rock) is Brian J. Bowe who is written in same (Rebels of Rock) series also Judas Priest: Metal Gods book.
So The Ramones: American Punk Rock Band is an different book than Ramones: An American Band
what was published in 80's (author Jim
Bessman). (January 8, 2010)
- Midway through the year 2010 (July), when you need a lift, take a ride
with the Cheetah Chrome: A Dead Boy's Tale From The Front Line Of Punk Rock
book.Cheetah Chrome was a lead guitarist of the Dead Boys which became important part of the NYC punk scene in 70's, after moving to New York City at the encouragement of Joey Ramone, the Dead Boys quickly gained notoriety for their outrageous live performances. Few of their important songs are Sonic Reducer, Ain't Nothin' To Do, Not Anymore, (I Don't Wanna Be No) Catholic Boy and Ain't It Fun.
Cheetah Chrome: A Dead Boy's Tale From The Front Line Of Punk Rock book is Cheetah's autobiography. It will be released by the Voyageur Press. Following part is from the press release I got from Michele Lanci-Altomare: "Book is a tale of success-and excess: great music, drugs (he overdosed and was pronounced dead three times), and resurrection. Now, for the first time, Cheetah dishes on the people he's known onstage and off, including the Dead Boys' legendary singer Stiv Bators, Johnny Thunders of the New York Dolls/ The Heartbreakers, Ramones, The Clash, Pere Ubu, and the Ghetto Dogs, as well as life at CBGBs, a year with Nico..."
Cheetah is still active in punkin'. He also played at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash in 2004, 2006 and 2008. See in right one photo I had taken at the rehearse for Birthday Bash in 2006. (December 31, 2009)
- 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)
- Max Cavalera (ex-Sepultura, Soulfly and Cavalera Conspiracy) told nicely about the Ramones to Live-metal.net.
Live-Metal.net: What has been your highest and lowest point of your career with Sepultura or Soulfly?
Max: Lowest was the death of [stepson] Dana [Wells] and the breakup of Sepulture, which happened both at the same time. That was the lowest point. At that time, I even thought about giving up music for a while..., just really depressive times. Highest ... I think with Sepultura it was the tour with the Ramones in Brazil. That was awesome. That was only five shows - it was the Chaos A.D. tour and the promoter decided to bring the Ramones to do five shows, co-headline, Sepultura and the Ramones. And it sold out, spread out like wildfire. And for me it was a legendary tour, touring with a legendary band like the Ramones, sharing the stage with them. They were real nice guys, really cool guys. That tour was great. It was in my country. And I played my hometown. I think the hometown show was probably the highest point. Five thousand people show up in my hometown, all Sepultura fans, so that was great. (November 24, 2009)
- I think this is nice memory and info piece to add to my news about Baby, I Love You song. It is common belief Ramones never did perform that ballad live, it is in many places as a fact. If you does read another Marky Ramone interview from my new book Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Marky Ramone mention not playing Baby, I Love You live at the concert before he did play it at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash in 2005, with Ronnie Spector, Al Maddy, and Andy Shernoff.
Jeff Wallace of The Phobics wrote me after reading my new book: "On page 40-41 of your latest book it is mentioned that the Ramones never played Baby, I Love You live. Well I was at the Rainbow Theatre 9th Feb 1980 with the Boys supporting when they did. The Boys' keyboard player, Casino Steele also played onstage with the Ramones for that song. I was there and I saw it. Marky must be getting forgetful in his old age."
It is understandable Marky or any people can't remember everything, and when Marky has played after 1980 at least 2500 shows. After adding this news piece on my site, also my memory was bad... Ulf Bendiksen of The Yum Yums reminded me of a bootleg what I also know thanks to Arne-Johan Martinsen. Ramones: Live In Oslo 1980 has that live song. And also Peter Trenholm (UK) wrote: "I have a cassette bootleg of a gig with them playing Baby, I Love You - I can't remember the venue or date. It's not great, so I expect that's why it wasn't repeated often."
So probably Baby, I Love You had played only in some shows of End Of The Century tour. (Updated: November 18, 2009)
- Slam Magazine is Austrian based music magazine and it's Rock Classics: Ramones special issue was released on October 28th, 2009. It has 132 pages (in German language), rare photos and interviews, four posters and a 12 song CD entitled The Roots Of The Ramones. Read more of the issue here.
Ramones Museum Berlin will celebrate this special issue, they has Rock Classics - Ramones: The Magazine & The Party night on November 14, 2009. That night has also open stage for Ramones cover bands etc. Event begin at 8PM (20.00). (November 10, 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.
* December 1, 2009, in 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.
* December 12, 2009: Mickey and Legs will do book signing etc. also at the This Ain't Hollywood in Hamilton, Canada.
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: October 22, 2009)- Slam Magazine is Austrian based music magazine and it's Rock Classics: Ramones special issue was released on October 28th, 2009. It has 132 pages (in German language), rare photos and interviews, four posters and a 12 song CD entitled The Roots Of The Ramones with tracks from bands like the New York Dolls, MC5, Iggy & The Stooges, The Troggs and The Flamin' Groovies.
Rock Classics: Ramones special issue has interviews with or stories of every Ramones members, Roberta Bayley, George DuBose, Ed Stasium, Daniel Rey etc. Also quotes from or interviews with Campino of The Die Toten Hosen, Bela B of The Die Ärzte, Mille Petrozza of The Kreator, Mike Ness of The Social Distortion, Jon Spencer, Ramones tribute band Rämouns, and also longer interview with me (Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone). I also gave photos for Slam Magazine's special issue, and also it has photos by people like George DuBose, Roberta Bayley, Gaston Sanchez and Javier Sanchez etc.
See more details of this special issue here. Rock Classics: Ramones issue is available at newsagents throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland or directly from Slam Magazine: 11 euros ordered from Europe and 15 euros ordered outside of Europe. Prices contains postages and PayPal charges. Orders from: office@slam-zine.com (October 28, 2009)
- The Proud Galleries (United Kingdom) has collection of limited edition Ramones prints by photographers from Ian Dickson to Lisa Kristal and Adrian Boot to Roberta Bailey. With prices starting at 250 UK pounds. They are exhibiting a few special images of the Ramones in their Best Of Proud collection. You can pop down to Proud Camden in London to take first look whilst enjoying their outstanding venue adorned by rock royalty throughout. The Proud Galleries is one of the most popular privately-owned photographic galleries in the UK. Visit their site (October 28, 2009)
- Around fifteen years ago (November 12, 1994) the Ramones were in Curitiba, Brazil, playing for more than 45 000 people at Pedreira Paulo Leminski. To celebrate this show will happen a great event called Curitiba Ramones Day. It will be a cool meeting of Ramones' fans, that have gone or not to the show in 1994. There will be exhibition of a gigantic collection with posters, Ramones dolls/figure action, 7' singles, 12 inches and LP's, books, DVD's, drum sticks, CD's, tapes, shirts and much more. Show with Ramones For Fun and lot videos. Helio Volpato wrote me event being at the Vox Bar, Curitiba, Brazil at 9PM on November 12, 2009. (October 21, 2009)
- Rämouns formed in Germany, has given Ramones spirit with their Ramones tribute shows around 10 years now. And now the world can listen their symbiosis of the godly pop-melodies of the Beach Boys and the shock treatment and fantastic energy of our the Ramones. Rämouns recorded Rockaway Beach Boys release and it is released by Wolverine Records on October 9th, 2009. The CD contains 12 Beach Boys songs played in a Ramones style, songs like Surfin' Safari, Do It Again, I Get Around, and Help Me Rhonda.
Rockaway Beach Boys is available in German stores and also at Amazon
, iTunes and Napster.
Check
out few songs here. (October 20, 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.
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)
- Finnish band Children Of Bodom has created aggressive metal music since 1993. Children Of Bodom released single You're Better Off Dead! in 2002, and it's B-side is Ramones cover Somebody Put Something In My Drink. Children Of Bodom released Skeletons In The Closet cover album in September, 2009, and it also has Somebody Put Something In My Drink. Band is fronted by singer-guitarist Alexi Laiho and you can read his Ramones fan story from my second book Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone. In a promo letter of Skeletons In The Closet Alexi Laiho tells: "Ramones fucking rule and even though some people might not like their 80's era, I do, and we know how to drink so this one suites us pretty good. One of my favorites on this album. This one's for Joey, bottoms up!"
Skeletons In The Closet has 17 songs, for example following tunes: Hellion (W.A.S.P.), Hell Is For Children (Pat Benatar), Aces High (Iron Maiden), Looking Out My Backdoor (CCR), Silent Cream (Slayer) and Oops I Did It Again (Britney Spears). (October 6, 2009)
- On The Road With The Ramones book was released first time on November 20, 2003. On The Road With The Ramones book is written by Monte A. Melnick (Ramones tour manager from the beginning) and Frank Meyer (Street Walkin' Cheetahs, Sweet Justice etc.). There was released Spanish Edition on September 1, 2009. Spanish publisher is Munster Records & Books. The end of September Monte will be going to Spain to do special press events and in store book signing appearances. He has following signing appearances:
September 29th, 2009: Forum Fnac-Callao, Madrid, Spain at 7PM.
September 30th, 2009, Fnac-Triangle, Barcelona, Spain at 7PM.
(Updated: September 16, 2009
- Skinny Bones is a familiar name for many Ramones fans. He has Ramones related background with many ways. The Ramones recorded and released three songs Marky Ramone and Skinny Bones wrote together: Anxiety and The Job That Ate My Brain in Mondo Bizarro and Have A Nice Day in Adios Amigos.
Skinny Bones also did some songs together with Dee Dee Ramone. One of those songs will be included in Shot My TV album by Skinny Bones And The Gonedaddys. Great Italian labels will release Shot My TV, the Nicotine Records will release CD and Tornado Ride Records LP version. CD comes out on September 15, 2009.
- Shot My TV has 12 original songs written by me and a bonus track Nothing Is Innocent. Dee Dee wrote words and I wrote music of Nothing Is Innocent. It was Joey Ramone's favourite of songs I wrote with Dee Dee, explained Skinny Bones to me on September 10, 2009.
As a background info I wanna also mention, that Skinny played in many Resistance shows. In early 90's, Joey put together Resistance so he could speak freely about his true political thoughts. Al Maddy explains lot of Resistance in my new book Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives. Also Skinny Bones was first singer in Marky Ramone And The Intruders, and he wrote many songs together with Marky to Intruders debut album. Soon after he was replaced by Todd Youth. Todd Youth quit from Marky's band and Skinny Bones came back for a while.
Remember to check out new Skinny Bones And The Gonedaddys album Shot My TV (September 11, 2009)
- There is an new Ramones tribute CD released, this time in Czech Republic. Ramones Tribute: Bohemia * Moravia * Silesia * Slovakia, is released by Cecek Records in Czech Republic in July, 2009. It has thirteen songs, like Kaktus cover The KKK Took My Baby Away, Zhoda Nahod cover Strength To Endure and The Fialky cover I Need Your Love. See more infos here. (Updated: September 4, 2009)
- I think this is fun news to write a bit. Andy Warhol was famous artist, film maker etc. He passed away in 1987. There was hired with 600 000 US$ from the Andy Warhol Foundation and several other smaller grants, to sift through 610 cardboard boxes, filing cabinets and even a shipping container filled with what would be considered junk by most people but has a whole different meaning since it was collected by pop artist Andy Warhol.
In the 18 months since the project began, the archivists have opened 177 boxes - each with an average of 400 items, some with as many as 1,200. Cataloger Marie Elia found a Ramones' single signed by Joey Ramone to Andy Warhol.
Some other pretty exciting items found are for example 1) a mummified human foot belonging to an ancient Egyptian, 2) the orange nutbread sent to Warhol by one of his Pittsburgh area cousins with a note telling him to enjoy it with a cup of coffee, 3) a piece of crusty wedding cake (whose?), 4) one box had 17,000 US$ in cash, 5) an autographed picture of a naked Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
They have six years to comb through everything from taxi cab receipts to fan mail, meticulously cataloguing, photographing and, when possible, researching the often bizarre items before entering them into a database. "The only rooms that looked like a normal house were the bathroom and the kitchen," says Matt Wrbican, who has been going through the artist's things since 1991. Read here whole article at Canadian CBC News. (September 2, 2009)
- CJ Ramone will have meet and greet and signing session at Ramones Museum Berlin on August 28, 2009.
Ramones Museum Berlin has first anniversary event on October 16-17, 2009. It is Dee Dee Ramone special with guests, Ramones creative director Arturo Vega and Paul Zone. More infos here. (August 14, 2009)
- The Ramones are prominently featured in MasterCard's new Legends campaign running nationwide in the USA now through August 31st, 2009. The campaign includes a new TV spot that features classic scenes of pop culture icons in jeans - from Marilyn Monroe and Marlon Brando to the Ramones. The voiceover questions whether they might look better in different styles, but fittingly concludes "The perfect pair of jeans: Priceless."
The Ramones footage was taken from the legendary Its Alive concert filmed on New Years Eve 1977. Although not seen in the TV spot, Tommy Ramone is indeed on drums behind Johnny, Joey & Dee Dee on the frontline. John Wayne was one of Johnny Ramone's heroes. It would have meant a lot to him to be recognized as a true American icon.
Click here to view the spot online through August 31, 2009. (August 3, 2009)
- Arturo Vega (www.ramonesworld.com), who was
the lighting director and art designer for the
Ramones etc., has joined again famous Warped Tour in the USA and
Canada. Arturo Vega joined Warped Tour also in 2006 and 2008. He had
awesome exhibition of the Ramones memorabilia in 2006, and especially
lot of Dee Dee Ramone related stuff (paintings etc.) in 2008.This time (2009) you will have chance to check out the awesome CBGB 360' virtual tour, and the Ramones at CBGB photo exhibit. Go and visit Arturo and Molly at their Ramonesworld & CBGB tent in Warped Tour. You has chance to buy especially all kind of Ramones T-shirts etc. Warped Tour started on June 26, and it last to August 23, 2009.
You can see in photo in right Arturo Vega, and Wyan Eko singer-guitarist of Sneakers and ex-Morons. Wyan Eko is from Indonesia. Wyan is a crew member of band from Bali, Indonesia in Warped Tour . Band is Superman Is Dead. Wyan sent me this photo. His text is also included in my Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives book. (July 2, 2009)
- At the Crawdaddy! magazine site, was just posted an longer article taking a look back at the Ramones' Acid Eaters album. Check it out here. (June 8, 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)
- April 2009 issue of SPIN Magazine (UK) has pretty extensive feature of numerous amounts of Ramones tribute releases and Ramones cover album releases. SPIN staff sent me some links. This first link goes to their feature in this month's issue, and link goes to that Ramones tribute/cover release article (it is 3 pages long).
More smoothly you can check out article, by clicking this link. You can check out which are: 1) Tribute with the greatest number of '80s punk legends performing in nonlegendary '90s punk bands, 2) Least pleasant reinventions, 3) Most disappointing tribute, 4) Most poorly translated tribute....
Article and feature is composed by Mark Prindle. He had also his site already in 1990's, I remember adding his link to my site around 1997-1998. (April 15, 2009)
- Ramones is in Rolling Stone Cover in Japan! Joey Ramone, Johnny
Ramone, CJ Ramone and Marky Ramone got a cover inthe Rolling Stone mag
in Japan in April, 2009. Marky Ramone said how he is very happy that the
Ramones are at last on the front cover of the Rolling Stone magazine.
This is the first time they got it! Read
more here. (April 9, 2009)- MxPx is a punk rock and skatepunk band formed in the Bremerton, Washington, USA. MxPx was founded in 1992. MxPx released On The Cover EP in 1995. Now Tooth & Nail Records released on March 24, 2009 On The Cover 2 by MxPx. It has 80's covers and one of them is Ramones cover Bonzo Goes To Bitburg (My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down). Some other covers are Punk Rock Girl (Dead Milkmen), (I'm Gonna Be) 500 MILES (The Proclaimers), Should I Stay Or Should I Go (The Clash) and I Will Follow (U2). Version of Queen's Somebody To Love (1976) is the only song on the record not from the 80's.
My third Ramones memory book is coming in May, 2009, and it contains interview with Tom Wisniewski of the MxPx. Buy On The Cover II
(March 26, 2009)- According to Unicef, in the last decade 10 million children were traumatised by war. War Child International is a network of independent organisations, working across the world to help children affected by war. War Child was founded upon a fundamental goal: to advance the cause of peace through investing hope in the lives of children caught up in the horrors of war. War Child works in many different conflict areas around the world, helping hundreds of thousands of children every year.
War Child: Heroes is an new album to benefit children affected by war. Organision asked fifteen icons of music to select a favourite song from their classic back catalogue, and to nominate the new act they most trust to create a unique interpretation of that hand-picked track. From the Ramones was chosen song Sheena Is A Punk Rocker, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs got an honour to record it. The Clash song Straight To Hell is recorded by Lily Allen feat. Mick Jones, Elvis Costello's You Belong To Me by The Like, Blondie's Call Me by Franz Ferdinand and Iggy Pop's Search And Destroy by Peaches and U2's Running To Stand Still by Elbow etc. War Child: Heroes has fifteen songs in all.
Here are some Release dates: February 16 in UK (Parlaphone), February 18 in Finland (Parlaphone/EMI), February 24 in USA (by Astralwerks), March 3rd Canada (Quebecor Records). Buy this from Amazon.co.uk
or from Amazon.com
.
support their work with children living in the world's most dangerous
war zones.
. (February 24, 2009)- If you does listen BP Fallon's Wang Dang Doodle show on BreakThruRadio net radio, you can hear a bit Joey and Dee Dee Ramone's interview from 1985. You find it here. Like you can listen to Joey tell it how it was for him as the young glam rock outcast in Queens, NYC. Show is long and there is no much of the Ramones, but that Joey's longer part starts after 17,5 minutes in that interview.
Mexican punkrock magazine named Marvin has about Ramones having 35 years anniversary, that issue 68 (February 2009 issue) has Ramones related leather imitation of it's cover. (February 21, 2009)
- Sorry that I forgot to add info of Little Steven's Underground Garage Christmas A Go-Go collection to my site before Christmas 2008. Little Steven's Underground Garage Christmas A Go-Go was released already in October, 2008 and I got it as a Christmas gift from Alfredo Cordeiro and Anna Piella and their dorother Helena.
Christmas A Go-Go collection has 20 songs. Third song is Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight) by the Ramones. It also has Hey Santa Claus by the Chesterfield Kings, Santa Drives A Hot Rod by The Brian Setzer Ochestra, Santa's Coming Home by Cocktail Slippers, Merry Christmas (To All Of The World) by Jean Beauvoir, Run Rudolph Run by Keith Richards etc. (February 17, 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)
- There were told in 80's that Phil Spector who produced Ramones album End Of The Century in 1980, was held the Ramones members at gunpoint during End Of The Century recording sessions. Like Dee Dee Ramone claimed Spector levelled a pistol at his heart when he threatened to quit the studio. Marky Ramone told while ago in NME interview following: "There were no guns pointed at anybody. They were there but he had a licence to carry. He never held us hostage. We could have left at any time. We had the keys." (January 7, 2009)
- Lux Interior (Erick Lee Purkhiser), founding member and lead singer of The Cramps passed away in February the 4th, 2009, in Glendale, California from a pre-existing heart condition. The Cramps formed in the early 70's. Interior along with his wife Poison Ivy (Kristy Wallace) are credited with creating the psychobilly sound by being the first to blend punk and rockabilly. The Cramps played lot at the CBGB together with the Ramones, Patti Smith Group, Blondie, Television in 70's etc. Later Lux Interior for example appeared in Dee Dee Ramone's Zonked/ Ain't It Fun album. The Cramps was still active when Lux Interior passed away.
Alex Crank was last vocalist in the Marky Ramone And The Intruders band which was active in late 90's and early 2000's. He was also the first guitar player of Lourds. Alex Crank passed away in December, 2008. Alex was suffering from ALS for the past 7 years, and that was reason why he passed away. (January 6, 2009)
- Rock Reader Books published book called Ramones: Interviews on January 5, 2009. It is compiled and edited by John D. Luerssen. Luerssen has picked many classic Ramones articles and interviews and compiled them wisely from seventies and also happily many good ones from 1980-1988. Later years are not covered so well.
Book is in English. Printed book and eBook both has 244 pages. There is around 110 pages published interviews only from seventies. First you can read three pages long Know Your New York Bands: The Ramones article by Alan Betrock from Soho Weekly News in 1975. It has interview mostly with Tommy Ramone about their background, influences, attitude etc. and also live review. Tommy Ramone stated Ramones attitude this way: "We play short songs and short sets for people who don.t have a lot of spare time."
Next is extensive and fourteen pages long New York: The Sound Of '75 article by Charles Shaar Murray. It was published in NME music magazine on November 8, 1975. It is one kind of pre-article about Ramones and Blondie shows at Performance Studio on the Lower East Side in New York and widely about New York scene and different bands.
As well this book compiled and edited by John D. Luerssen has for example articles from Punk Magazine, Zig Zag, NME and Creem. There are interviews related to the shows in UK in 1976 and 1977, article which contains early biographies of every original member etc. Interview from Sounds on May 27, 1978 by Peter Silverton start about Marky getting to band and Tommy leaving.
Cynthia Rose is behind of following interviews: The Ramones: The Thinking Men Of Pop article in NME on November 21, 1981, Pal Joey article in NME on April 16, 1983, The Ramones: If All Men Were Brudders article in Creem on September, 1983 and The Ramones: Now I Wanna Play My Five-Iron!! in NME on November 10, 1984.
For many fans the most special piece is Christine Natanael's 25 pages long discussion with Joey Ramone on February 3, 1989. Christine writes in opening text: "Interview was conducted under the auspices of promoting the album Brain Drain, but due to the ignorance of my editors at the time, was never published anywhere. It's more like a conversation than an interview, which is how it always went with Joey. I've decided to give you the entire transcript here, as a tribute to my friend Joey Ramone."
Only interview or article from 90's is interview with Joey Ramone in Mojo on August, 1999. This book has no any mention of studio albums Halfway To Sanity (1987), Mondo Bizarro (1992) and Acid Eaters (1993), and only few comments of Adios Amigos (1996). Tommy Ramone's interview with James Hurley is stated to be made for MSN U.K. in 1999, but it is made in 2007 because It's Alive 1974-1996 was published then and interview promoted that.
With Johnny Ramone is extensive interview of later years by Maggie St. Thomas, it was published in LiveWire, November 17, 2001. So especially interviews and articles from 1975-1988 are composed well for this book and fans get lot good information. You can buy book here. (January 20, 2009)
- Music business veteran Gary Kurfist passed away on January 13, 2009, while vacationing in Nassau, the Bahamas. He was 61. Gary Kurfist started working in music business already in 60's. He was a manager, promoter, publisher etc. Especially Gary was known of managing Talking Heads, Blondie, also some years the Ramones, the B-52's etc. Gary Kurfist and Ian Flukes founded Radioactive Records in 1990. Radioactive Records has released records from the Ramones, Live, Black Grape etc. Radioactive Records was USA label for the Ramones in 90's.
Seymour Stein is a vice president of Warner Bros. Records and a co-founder of Sire Records, original and long lasting label of the Ramones. He wrote this of Gary Kurfist:
"Gary was brilliant in his ability to spot changes in music ahead of most people and had the courage to act on his instincts. Gary was tough, but not cutthroat in business. He could fight hard, but fair and never held grudges. Gary had great style. Certainly one of the best and most successful relationships I ever enjoyed with a manager, working together on Talking Heads, the Ramones or Deborah Harry. Can honestly say he will be surely missed.", wrote Seymour Stein.
Johnny Ramone's wife Linda Ramone has put for example this for Johnnyramone.com:
"He was managing the Talking Heads and a myriad of other influential bands at various times throughout their careers including Blondie, the B-52's and, more recently, Shirley Manson of Garbage. Gary was more than a manager, he was a friend.", Linda Ramone. (January 18, 2009)
- Thomaxe is punkrocker and writer of NY Waste and Loud Fast Rules etc. Thomaxe celebrate his 30th birthday party by organising Escape From New York - The Best Of NY Scene event on February 5, 2009. Event is in memory of Dee Dee, Joey and Joey Ramone, Johnny Thunders, Stiv Bators, Jerry Nolan, Arthur Kane, Ron Asheton, Jeff Salen, Richie Lure, Billy Rogers, Johnny Heff... Escape From New York - The Best Of NY Scene event is at the Don Hill's (511 Greenwich St. at Spring St, New York, USA). Tickets are 10 US$.
Schedule:
6:30PM Skinny Bones & The Gonedaddys
7:15PM New York Junk
8:00PM The Martinets (band of Ramones producer Daniel Rey etc.)
8:45PM The Bullys
9:30PM Electric Frankenstein
10:15PM Walter Lure And The Waldos
11:00PM Cheetah Chrome & The Blackhearts
(January 12, 2009)
- Manfred Meyer was one main security chief to the Ramones on their
many European tours from 1989-1996. Manfred Meyer passed away because
of cancer on January 6th, 2009. Manfred was
only 54 years old. Long time Ramones fan (and man behind of Loudmouth!
Ramones fanzine etc.) Jörg Buscher wrote to me: "He looked strong
and was strictly person in his job (what is a must for doing
such a job he did as a security chief), but when you knew him, he had a
great heart and always been friendly and helpful. RIP." (January 11,
2009).- There is in many internet's music stores listed album called The Ramones: The Family Tree. It is released in December, 2008. Album is released by Music Brokers, that label has roots in Argentina. Great Argentinean fan named Mariano Asch compiled this. He wrote for me background of compilation, read his interview and see tracklisting here. (Updated: January 5, 2009)
More Ramones news in my archive.
JOEY RAMONE:
- Richie Ramone and Mickey Leigh visited in Brazil in June, 2010. Read and see here picture-story report of their trip written by Helio Volpato.
Here you can read first background of their visit. Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh opened a Joey Ramone Place punk rock merchandise store in Rio De Janeiro in Brazil in January, 2010. It is featuring mainly Joey Ramone, and punk related merchandise.
- In planning since July '08, it's finally open for business. Childhood friend Allen Brooks and family is running the operation. 20% of anything I make goes to charities for children in the favelas (slums). The soft opening was on January 30, 2010. This is really exciting and so amazing that even though he is not physically here, in Joey's name so much good can still be accomplished. What a Wonderful World!!, knows Mickey Leigh.
Address is: Joey Ramone Place, Rua Francisco Otaviano, 67/ Loja 46, Copacabana Rio De Janeiro RJ, 22080-040. Phone number: 25234604.
- The store is mostly Joey, and Ramones merchandise, shirts, dresses, stickers, pretty much the same items you see on the website store on Joeyramone.com. Hopefully there will be some new items that are more suited to Rio soon, like bikinis and things like that, wrote Mickey on April 5, 2010.
Richie's manager Tiffany wrote to me in April 15 and 19: "Richie Ramone is going to Brazil between June 9 to June 13, 2010 in connection with the Joey Ramone Place punk rock merchandise store. Richie and Mickey will be playing on June 11 and 12, 2010 in Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paolo. I'll let you know the venues when I know."
Probably there are also special T-shirts being made.
Some rumours not correct. Some people are told Tommy being there, but that is not true: "Nobody has contacted me about any of this. So I don't know anything about it. I have heard nothing about going to Rio or anywhere else in South America. I will make some phone calls over the weekend to see what is going on. Who is spreading this rumor?", Tommy wrote to me. (Updated: June 29, 2010).
- July 10, 2010, at the Bearsville Theater Lounge, Woodstock, New York, USA, Geraldine "Jeri Ramone" Rapetti was organised event related to book I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir. Read story of that night.
Here are infos what I had to promote this event.
Jeri Ramon of Guitar Principles has teached to play guitar for over 20 years to every type of student, from children to teenagers and young adults to senior citizens well into their 80's, as well as every style of guitar - folk, jazz, rock, blues, and the classical guitar.
Jeri wrote to me:
- I am a big fan of the Ramones in Woodstock, New York, and have read all your three books. I appreciate all your time and efforts to keep the Ramones legacy alive. You have inspired me to want to do the same! I thought it over for 6 months, what can I do to make a difference, to contribute to the Ramones legacy?
- I decided to do something here in Woodstock, NY through my company Guitar Principles. We are presenting an event on July 10, 2010, which will include a book reading of I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir, discussion, and signing by Mickey Leigh. Mickey will also perform with his band STOP, explains Jeri Ramone.
Event at the Bearsville Theater Lounge in Woodstock will begin at 8PM on July 10, 2010. Tickets are 15$ in advance and 20$ day of show. Tickets on sale now: Call 845-679-4406 or order on-line: www.bearsvilletheater.com. Guitar Principles page seems to be pretty incredible, visit their site and look for example video gallery and check out information her book titled The Principles Of Correct Practice For Guitar. (June 2, 2010)
- Joey Ramone's 59th birthday celebration was again in New York (2010). In January, 2010, Joey's brother Mickey Leigh confirmed Joey Ramone Birthday Bash being again on May 19th, 2010, once again at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza.
Joey Ramone Birthday Bash is memory event to our angel. It is organised yearly since 2001. Every year on May 19th...
April 6th, 2010, I got confirmation from Richie Ramone, that he will be playing at this year's Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. And he did. Tommy Ramone had no chance to attend event this year. CJ Ramone and Marky Ramone won't play at the Birthday Bash.
Line-up in this year was:
* Friends of Joey Ramone set: 1) Richie Ramone, 2) Mickey Leigh, 3) Walter Lure, 4) Cheetah Chrome, 5) Jean Beauvoir, 6) George Tabb, 7) Ivan Julian 8) Al Maddy, 9) JP Thunderbolt, 10) Ed Stasium, 11) Walt Stack, 12) Dave Merrill, 13) Holly Beth Vincent etc.
* The Independents.
* Jesse Malin & The St. Marks Social.
* Morningwood.
* Heap (band of David Merrill, Tim Heap, Frank Saitta and George Chambers).
* Spanking Charlene.
* Sic F*ucks.
* MC's: 1) Steve Craig, 2) Matt Pinfield and 3) Pete Ashner.
Steven Van Zandt (Little Steven) (as a MC) and HANK III (as a band) had to cancel their appearances.
Age limit was 16.
Irving Plaza is located at 17 Irving Place, on the corner of 15th Street and Irving Place. The club can easily be reached by subway (trains 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, and W to Union Square, also referred to as 14th Street).
Read picture-story report of my trip. Read and see it here. (Updated: June 1, 2010)
- From time to time some of you fans ask from me about Joey Ramone's glasses. Like many of you knows, Joey practically always used glasses (type of sunglasses) because of his eyes. I wanted to confirm few things now and I asked from Joey's brother Mickey Leigh (remember check out his and Legs McNeil's book I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir). Mickey wrote longer and I thought this is good information to everyone:
"Joey's glasses were custom made, they were not one particular brand that you could buy in a store. Basically, he picked out the frames at an optical store, gave them the prescription for the strength of the lenses, told them what color he wanted the lenses. Often they were not the exact color Joey wanted and had to send them back until he was satisfied. Also sometimes the frames were not the shape he liked and had to go to different places to find the frames with the exact shape and weight that he liked. Our mother Charlotte normally helped him with this getting his glasses. Sometimes having to send him a new pair if he would break his when on tour.", explained Mickey. (April 23, 2010)
- Chris Frantz of The Talking Head will begin his monthly radio show on March 26, 2010. The show is called Chris Frantz The Talking Head on WPKN 89.5 FM Bridgeport, CT, USA and WPKM 88.7 Montauck. The show is from 1:00 - 5:00. You can listen online at the station's website. http://www.wpkn.org.
His first guests (March 26, 2010) will be Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh who will be talking about his and Legs McNeil's book I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir and Bucks Burnett of Dallas, Texas, who will tell us about his new Eight Track Museum as recently featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. There will also be some cool new music never before heard on the air. (March 25, 2010)
- Tarakany! is formed in 1991. Tarakany! has been years Russia's best-known punk band and in 1992-2004 they sold more than 500 000 albums. Marky Ramone did three shows with Tarakany! in 2003 and in 2005 Marky and Tarakany! punkrocked sixteen shows in Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Czech Republic. See my report with photos of shows in Sweden here.
Singer Dmitry "Dima" Spirin came up with the idea of the "people's translation" of Mickey Leigh's and Legs McNeils's book titled I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir.
MGL2R, who is main guy behind of www.ramones.ru, explained me after I asked of great project.
- Dima was very excited about the whole story (book), so Dima asked me if I'd like to do the translations with him. I agreed. There's no books or films about the Ramones translated in Russian, but only Please Kill Me. I'm also doing some corrections, editing translated texts, adding the notes. Later on Dima came up with the idea of the "people's translation". It means that everybody who wants to help can join us. About 30 enthusiasts responded. We post one chapter a week on Tarakany!'s official blog. Prologue and three first chapters are done so far and the fourth one is on the way. I think I'll say for two of us that we have lots of respect to Mickey and Legs for their hard work on this book, explains MGL2R. (March 3, 2010)
- Mickey Leigh tells in his and Legs McNeils's book I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir of the recording Joey kind of produced for Mickey's band Purple Majesty in 1966.
- We (Purple Majesty's members) were 12 and Joey was 16. We recorded song In This Day An Age we'd actually written ourselves, and a cover of the Blues Project classic I Can't Keep From Crying. It still amazes me that Joey did that: at 16 Joey came to our rehearsals, well, it was just downstairs in our basement, but he heard the song we wrote, booked the time, paid for the session and "supervised' the recording. After searching for decades, the guitarist of that band just found his copy!!! I can't tell you how thrilled I am to hear this again. It's noisy and crackly, couple of skips, but it is certainly audible. I'm going to take it to a mastering studio and clean it up as much as possible. If not for my brother's enthusiasm and his love of being involved in every facet of rock & roll, I would not have this gem from my past, wrote Mickey in January, 2010. (February 1, 2010)
- In celebration of their 20th anniversary, Swedish rockers and punkers - Backyard Babies - released in late 2009 Them XX collection. Them XX has a 120-page photo-book, 3 CD's plus 1 DVD. CD1 is "best of" disc. One of those 12 tracks is a song entitled Friends.
Many of you may already know that Joey Ramone recorded Friends with Backyard Babies which is believed to be Joey's last recording with any band. The song Friends was first released on the Backyard Babies album entitled Stockholm Syndrome in 2003. All of my books has some interviews with BB members. In my second book Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone guitarist-singer Dregen explains longer of Friends and background of recordings. Like Joey was then already big fan of their song called Powderhead.
Them XX's CD3 begin with Pet Sematary. Swedish gentlemen recorded Ramones cover to The Song Ramones The Same tribute album (2002). CD's 2 and 3 has lot B-sides and rarities, live recordings etc.
Them XX's photo book has photo of Joey Ramone and bassist Johan Blomqvist. My latest book Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives has interview with Johan, it has also photos of Marky with a band in Sweden in 2005. Marky and I spent day-off and Backyard Babies were set to play a show that night. BB wanted Marky to be their special guest. At first Marky wasn't sure as he didn't know much about band, but soon changed his mind after I told him all about the band. (January 19, 2010)
- 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)
More Joey Ramone news in my archive.
JOHNNY RAMONE:
- The sixth annual Johnny Ramone and Ramones outdoor event
presented by Linda Ramone in association with the JRA (Johnny Ramone
Army), is on July 25, 2010, at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (6000
Santa Monica Blvd.) in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Gates are open at 6PM.
Guests
include Tommy Ramone, Metallica's guitarist Kirk Hammett, actresses
Rose McGowan, PJ
Soles (aka Riff Randell) and Dey Young (aka Kate Rambeau), actor Loren
Lester (aka Fritz Hansel). PJ, Dey and Loren
were actresses in "Ramones movie" Rock And Roll Highschool. Also
there is chance to meet Richard Whitley and Russ Dvonch who are
screenwriters of Rock And Roll Highschool.In this event will be shown Rock And Roll Highschool and one of Johnny's top ten 10# horror movie: James Whale's The Bride Of Frankenstein (1935).
Event take place in a area where is Johnny Ramone's memorial statue and Dee Dee Ramone's grave.
On July 25, 2010, is also autograph signings etc. Net proceeds benefit the Johnny Ramone Research Fund at USC Westside Prostate Cancer Research Center. See my report from last years event here . More information at Johnny's official site.
Johnny's wife Linda and actress Rose McGowan will appear on Fox's Good Day L.A. The Good Day LA segment with Linda and Rose will air live Thorsday July 22nd, 2010 starting at 9:20am on FOX 11 (USA). (Updated: July 21, 2010)
- 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)
More Johnny Ramone news in my archive.
DEE DEE RAMONE
- Skinny Bones is a familiar name for many Ramones fans. He has Ramones related background with many ways. The Ramones recorded and released three songs Marky Ramone and Skinny Bones wrote together: Anxiety and The Job That Ate My Brain in Mondo Bizarro and Have A Nice Day in Adios Amigos.
Skinny Bones also did some songs together with Dee Dee Ramone. One of those songs will be included in Shot My TV album by Skinny Bones And The Gonedaddys. Great Italian labels released Shot My TV, the Nicotine Records will release CD and Tornado Ride Records LP.
Skinny was also in the Resistance, he was first singer in Marky Ramone And The Intruders, and he wrote many songs together with Marky to Intruders debut album etc.
Skinny And The Gonedaddys will be doing a mini tour of France and Germany in support of their release, Shot My TV. The band will perform songs from their latest album and will also include many songs that Skinny had written with Dee Dee and Marky Ramone. Songs to be performed include The Job That Ate My Brain and Anxiety, in addition the Gonedaddys will play songs written by Dee Dee and Skinny: Nothing Is Innocent, Better Way To Live and others. - These songs have never performed live and the songs written with Dee Dee have never been released to date. This will be the only chance to hear these rare songs as well as the songs from Shot My TV. The Nicotine release has been getting great reviews and the album is also available on vinyl, tells Skinny.
Tour dates are:
June 2, 2010, Le Mojomatic, Montpellier, France. Show time: 22.00.
June 3, 2010, Thunderbird Lounge, Saint-Etienne, France. Show time: 22.00.
June 4, 2010, Holdem Saloon, Bordeaux, France. Also playing Wild Weekend. Show time: 22.00.
June 5, 2010, Mondo Bizarro, Rennes, France. Also playing Lipstick Vibrators. Show time: 22.00.
June 8, 2010, Haus, Kassel, Germany.
June 9, 2010, Hauptquartier, Aachen, Germany.
June 10, 2010, Die Kieler Schaubude, Kiel, Germany. Also playing Devils Day Off. Show time: 22.00.
June 11, 2010, Wild at Heart, Berlin, Germany. Show time: 22.00. (May 9, 2010)
- 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)
More Dee Dee Ramone news in my archive.
TOMMY RAMONE:
- The sixth annual Johnny Ramone and Ramones outdoor event
presented by Linda Ramone in association with the JRA (Johnny Ramone
Army), is on July 25, 2010, at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (6000
Santa Monica Blvd.) in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Gates are open at 6PM.
Guests
include Tommy Ramone, Metallica's guitarist Kirk Hammett, actresses
Rose McGowan, PJ
Soles (aka Riff Randell) and Dey Young (aka Kate Rambeau), actor Loren
Lester (aka Fritz Hansel). PJ, Dey and Loren
were actresses in "Ramones movie" Rock And Roll Highschool. Also
there is chance to meet Richard Whitley and Russ Dvonch who are
screenwriters of Rock And Roll Highschool.In this event will be shown Rock And Roll Highschool and one of Johnny's top ten 10# horror movie: James Whale's The Bride Of Frankenstein (1935).
Event take place in a area where is Johnny Ramone's memorial statue and Dee Dee Ramone's grave.
On July 25, 2010, is also autograph signings etc. Net proceeds benefit the Johnny Ramone Research Fund at USC Westside Prostate Cancer Research Center. See my report from last years event here . More information at Johnny's official site.
Johnny's wife Linda and actress Rose McGowan will appear on Fox's Good Day L.A. The Good Day LA segment with Linda and Rose will air live Thorsday July 22nd, 2010 starting at 9:20am on FOX 11 (USA). (Updated: July 21, 2010)
- Red Velvet Media's blogtalkradio has Ramones special on July 23, 2010, at 5PM USA Eastern Time/ 2PM USA Pacific Time. The guests are Tommy Ramone along with Ramones tour manager Monte Melnick. This is 1,5 hours long special also featuring surprise guest callers. This show is hosted by Holly Stephey and Rock Art Master Spencer Drate who is designer of some Ramones album covers. You can join show calling it: +1 347 677-1036. (July 19, 2010)
- Tommy Ramone's and Claudia Tienan's duo band is called Uncle Monk. Uncle Monk had first shows in 2006. Their first tour in Europe is in April 29-May 8, 2010. People in Ireland and North Ireland are lucky ones to welcome Tommy and Claudia to Europe. Read my interview with Tommy of Uncle Monk tour here. (April 15, 2010)
- 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)
- Tommy Ramone wrote to me on August 21, 2009 that his and Claudia Tienan's band Uncle Monk is still working with their second album. Tommy told they are in the middle of working on their new record and hope to finish it by Winter, it should be available sometime in 2010. Uncle Monk debut CD was released on March 16, 2006. More infos of Uncle Monk here. (August 21, 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)
More Tommy Ramone news in my archive.
MARKY RAMONE:
- Marky Ramone claims he's getting screwed out his cut of the Ramones' royalties, and now Marky is trying to legally get what he thinks he deserves. Marky is plaintiff and there are five separated defendants in a lawsuit paper what has 17 pages. Marky and the Ramones entities entered into a written agreement dated September 23, 2005, which expressly obligated the Ramones entities to pay Marky royalties in connection with certain master recordings, compositions, and merchandise exploited by entities. From the effective date of the 2005 agreement, through approximately 2008, the Ramones entities etc. rendered intermittent statements and payments attributable to the 2005... Since mid-2008 Marky Ramone has repeatedly demanded that past due statements and payments be rendered: the Ramones entities have refused. So Marky claims the people in charge of distributing royalties completely snubbed their 2005 contract, pocketing cuts of Ramones money that didn't belong to them, shafting Marky in the process. Marky Ramone has counted it is 175 000 US$, and over one million US$ in punitive damages.
This is not so simple than most Ramones members thinks. Marky certainly has some reason to do this. Anyway always sad when new fights gotta happen related to the Ramones. (July 19, 2010)
- Marky Ramone has shows in Europe in July-October, 2010. See all dates here. Also he will do a DJ set and has a fan meeting. July 16, 2010, Marky will do a DJ set at Sala Razzmatazz, Barcelona, Spain. Day before, July 15, Marky Ramone has a meeting with fans at Fnac El Triangle in Barcelona. Marky tells more: "I will present my two new single releases Wonderful World in Spanish produced and arranged by yours truly playing the drums, and Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg song original written by singer Michael Graves When We Were Angels."
and Marky continues: "On the July 16th, I will participate in the 25th anniversary of the most important Music Radio Show in Spain, Tarda Tarda. My friend Jordi (director of the program), has set up a big party with many guests. A lot of surprises will be guaranteed. You will see it live on the Catalan TV, or on the Internet (http://www.tv3.cat). I want to wish Jordi another 25 successful years, and thank him for his support through the years. After the party of Tarda Tarda, I will see you all at the famed Razzmatazz venue on the 16th of July. doing my DJ set you," explains Marky Ramone. (July 5, 2010)
- First song by Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg was published on January 10, 2010 via ITunes. Song is called When We Were Angels and in June, 2010, was published animated video of it. When We Were Angels is new version of song which Michale Graves has released in his Illusions album in 2007.
Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg line-up is: drummer Marky Ramone, singer Michale Graves (ex-Misfits), guitarist Alex Kane (Antiproduct) and bassist Clare (Antiproduct etc.). See more details of song with my comments below (news written in January, 2010). (July 3, 2010).
- Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg has shows in Italy, Switzerland and UK in July, 2010. See all shows listed here. (June 18, 2010)
- Skinny Bones is a familiar name for many Ramones fans. He has Ramones related background with many ways. The Ramones recorded and released three songs Marky Ramone and Skinny Bones wrote together: Anxiety and The Job That Ate My Brain in Mondo Bizarro and Have A Nice Day in Adios Amigos.
Skinny Bones also did some songs together with Dee Dee Ramone. One of those songs will be included in Shot My TV album by Skinny Bones And The Gonedaddys. Great Italian labels released Shot My TV, the Nicotine Records will release CD and Tornado Ride Records LP.
Skinny was also in the Resistance, he was first singer in Marky Ramone And The Intruders, and he wrote many songs together with Marky to Intruders debut album etc.
Skinny And The Gonedaddys will be doing a mini tour of France and Germany in support of their release, Shot My TV. The band will perform songs from their latest album and will also include many songs that Skinny had written with Dee Dee and Marky Ramone. Songs to be performed include The Job That Ate My Brain and Anxiety, in addition the Gonedaddys will play songs written by Dee Dee and Skinny: Nothing Is Innocent, Better Way To Live and others. - These songs have never performed live and the songs written with Dee Dee have never been released to date. This will be the only chance to hear these rare songs as well as the songs from Shot My TV. The Nicotine release has been getting great reviews and the album is also available on vinyl, tells Skinny.
Tour dates are:
June 2, 2010, Le Mojomatic, Montpellier, France. Show time: 22.00.
June 3, 2010, Thunderbird Lounge, Saint-Etienne, France. Show time: 22.00.
June 4, 2010, Holdem Saloon, Bordeaux, France. Also playing Wild Weekend. Show time: 22.00.
June 5, 2010, Mondo Bizarro, Rennes, France. Also playing Lipstick Vibrators. Show time: 22.00.
June 8, 2010, Haus, Kassel, Germany.
June 9, 2010, Hauptquartier, Aachen, Germany.
June 10, 2010, Die Kieler Schaubude, Kiel, Germany. Also playing Devils Day Off. Show time: 22.00.
June 11, 2010, Wild at Heart, Berlin, Germany. Show time: 22.00. (May 9, 2010)
- I wrote in December, 2009, how more Marky Ramone's designed products are available. He has designed a custom drumstick for Vic Firth. Vic Firth's press release tells: "With the diameter between a 5A and 5B. it is a medium shaft stick with a short taper and a barrel tip. The 16 3/8" length has plenty of reach and "plays big" without being too big to handle."
Also Marky Ramone's Brooklyn's Own Pasta Sauce is now available... A recipe is by Marky. Brooklyn's Own Pasta Sauce is currently available at various House Of Blues venues and at Markyramone.com. Marky tells, they are close to finding the right distribution company for pasta sauce. Joe and Debbie Lunardon wrote comments of sauce in March 4, 2010: "We finally found Marky's pasta sauce at House of Blues Anaheim. It was given the thumbs up by their chef and we have to admit it was very good with a real fresh taste (nice job Marky). The only drawback was that it was kind of pricey at US$10.50 a jar." (Updated: March 4, 2010)
- Marky Ramone's first instructional DVD is available now in North
America (release date: January 26, 2010). Publisher is Music Sales
America. DVD is in stores and also can
do online order via halleonard.com.
DVD's length is 64 minutes. DVD is titled Marky Ramone - Punk Rock
Drumming His Way For Beginners. Marky shows you his secrets to drumming, such as how to set up your kit, how to warm up and pace yourself, and most of all: how to make it look easy. Marky breaks down every punk beat, groove, and fill for the beginner and pro alike, in a very clear and easily understood way. From stick and grip choice, Marky goes on to cover: differences between rock and punk drumming; fast "punk" eight notes, beats, fills, and grooves; alternate time signatures, and more. (February 4, 2010).
- First song by Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg is now available via ITunes. It was published on January 10, 2010. Song is called When We Were Angels. This is new version of song which Michale Graves has released in his Illusions album in 2007.
Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg line-up is: drummer Marky Ramone, singer Michale Graves (ex-Misfits), guitarist Alex Kane (Antiproduct) and bassist Clare (Antiproduct etc.). Some of you people who are visiting my site regularly, are asked comments of When We Were Angels. I write them also here because everyone has no chance to download When We Were Angels from Itunes (you gotta download and install Itunes program, pay song with credit card etc.).
I was pretty surprised how pop is also this version of When We Were Angels. This four minutes long version has no attitude what I personally expected and hoped. Of Marky's ex-line-up's Marky Ramone & The SpeedKings is my favourite, and they played tight together and had rawk'N'punk attitude. When We Were Angels is loose, soft and boring, and somehow in my mind result is connected to the bands who are looking for to get airplay from MTV. Everyone can decide is it good or bad. Seems like there is no taken any risks when song is recorded. This version needs some attitude. It is good that Marky's drums are mixed again to the top. Graves is a great singer, but in this version he is not in his right level. Now he really sounds like pop singer. Let's hope Marky Ramone, Michale Graves, Clare and Alex Kane just wanted to show their soft side first. And then something much better is coming. Something how their live shows are.
Marky had premier to the song on his radio show Marky Ramone's Punk Rock Blitzkrieg on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio. Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 28. You can listen it nowadays also on XM Satellite Radio's channel 52. Show runs every Tuesday at 5PM (West coast time in the USA) and at 8PM (East coast time in the USA). Show re-plays 5 hours after the original airing again on XM. Now is 5th anniversary of Punk Rock Blitzkrieg radio show. (Updated: January 20, 2010)
- 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)
More Marky Ramone news in my archive.
RICHIE RAMONE:
- Richie Ramone and Mickey Leigh visited in Brazil in June, 2010. Read and see here picture-story report of their trip written by Helio Volpato.
Here you can read first background of their visit. Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh opened a Joey Ramone Place punk rock merchandise store in Rio De Janeiro in Brazil in January, 2010. It is featuring mainly Joey Ramone, and punk related merchandise.
- In planning since July '08, it's finally open for business. Childhood friend Allen Brooks and family is running the operation. 20% of anything I make goes to charities for children in the favelas (slums). The soft opening was on January 30, 2010. This is really exciting and so amazing that even though he is not physically here, in Joey's name so much good can still be accomplished. What a Wonderful World!!, knows Mickey Leigh.
Address is: Joey Ramone Place, Rua Francisco Otaviano, 67/ Loja 46, Copacabana Rio De Janeiro RJ, 22080-040. Phone number: 25234604.
- The store is mostly Joey, and Ramones merchandise, shirts, dresses, stickers, pretty much the same items you see on the website store on Joeyramone.com. Hopefully there will be some new items that are more suited to Rio soon, like bikinis and things like that, wrote Mickey on April 5, 2010.
Richie's manager Tiffany wrote to me in April 15 and 19: "Richie Ramone is going to Brazil between June 9 to June 13, 2010 in connection with the Joey Ramone Place punk rock merchandise store. Richie and Mickey will be playing on June 11 and 12, 2010 in Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paolo. I'll let you know the venues when I know."
Probably there are also special T-shirts being made.
Some rumours not correct. Some people are told Tommy being there, but that is not true: "Nobody has contacted me about any of this. So I don't know anything about it. I have heard nothing about going to Rio or anywhere else in South America. I will make some phone calls over the weekend to see what is going on. Who is spreading this rumor?", Tommy wrote to me. (Updated: June 29, 2010).
- James Greene, Jr. recently interviewed Richie Ramone. James write for Crawdaddy.com. Richie tells in this interview for example reasons why he quit, of photo session by George DuBose where Richie is holding a chimp, of song credits, of his West Side Story piece etc. Read interview here. (June 10, 2010)
- Richie Ramone and his manager Tiffany wrote to me Richie Ramone is going to Brazil between June 9 to June 13, 2010 in connection with the Joey Ramone Place punk rock merchandise store. Richie and Joey Ramone.s brother Mickey Leigh will be playing in Sao Paolo, Brazil in June 11 and in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in June 12, 2010.
Richie will be guest DJ at Club Vegas, Sao Paulo on June 10, 2010. Richie and Mickey also has autograph session at the Joey Ramone Store in Rio De Janeiro in June 12, 2010. Richie and Tiffany told, .probably there are also special T-shirts being made..
Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh opened a Joey Ramone Place punk rock merchandise store in Rio De Janeiro in Brazil in January, 2010. It is featuring mainly Joey Ramone, and punk related merchandise.
- In planning since July '08, it's finally open for business. Childhood friend Allen Brooks and family is running the operation. 20% of anything I make goes to charities for children in the favelas (slums). The soft opening was on January 30, 2010. This is really exciting and so amazing that even though he is not physically here, in Joey's name so much good can still be accomplished. What a Wonderful World!!, knows Mickey Leigh.
Address is: Joey Ramone Place, Rua Francisco Otaviano, 67/ Loja 46, Copacabana Rio De Janeiro RJ, 22080-040. Phone number: 25234604.
- The store is mostly Joey, and Ramones merchandise, shirts, dresses, stickers, pretty much the same items you see on the website store on Joeyramone.com. Hopefully there will be some new items that are more suited to Rio soon, like bikinis and things like that, wrote Mickey on April 5, 2010.
Some rumours not correct. Some people are told Tommy being there, but that is not true: "Nobody has contacted me about any of this. So I don't know anything about it. I have heard nothing about going to Rio or anywhere else in South America. I will make some phone calls over the weekend to see what is going on. Who is spreading this rumor?", Tommy wrote to me. (Updated: June 7, 2010).
- Richie Ramone was at Xavier High School as he told me in New York in May, 2010. Richie had spoken word kind of chat and he also jammed with the Xavier Band. Idea to ask Richie Ramone to visit to school was by Dr. Bill Pace, Xavier's band moderator. He had heard Richie's interview on WFMU radio channel. Bill Pace wrote afterwards for example: "During the interview I became impressed to learn that while still in high school, Richie had studied with Dave Brubeck's drummer, Joe Morello, and that Richie won several state contests for snare drum and timpani. He went on to describe how he has recently arranged the entire score for a pops orchestra concert of Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story that features his drumming in the style of Buddy Rich.
Richie did a great job inspiring our students to apply their interest in music passionately and to be a serious student of music. The Ramones drummer arrived at Xavier ready to jam with the Xavier band, performing several jazz-rock arrangements with the big band, coaching student small groups, and speaking on his experiences in the famous punk rock band and beyond.
Richie urged the 50 students in attendance to practice incessantly and to learn to read music. "You can learn to play a lot of things, but you'll always be limited if you can't read music." He also spoke on various topics such as the music industry, his daily practice regimen and his home recording setup."
Read story here and see also video clip. (June 4, 2010)
- Joey Ramone's 59th birthday celebration was again in New York (2010). In January, 2010, Joey's brother Mickey Leigh confirmed Joey Ramone Birthday Bash being again on May 19th, 2010, once again at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza.
Joey Ramone Birthday Bash is memory event to our angel. It is organised yearly since 2001. Every year on May 19th...
April 6th, 2010, I got confirmation from Richie Ramone, that he will be playing at this year's Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. And he did. Tommy Ramone had no chance to attend event this year. CJ Ramone and Marky Ramone won't play at the Birthday Bash.
Line-up in this year was:
* Friends of Joey Ramone set: 1) Richie Ramone, 2) Mickey Leigh, 3) Walter Lure, 4) Cheetah Chrome, 5) Jean Beauvoir, 6) George Tabb, 7) Ivan Julian 8) Al Maddy, 9) JP Thunderbolt, 10) Ed Stasium, 11) Walt Stack, 12) Dave Merrill, 13) Holly Beth Vincent etc.
* The Independents.
* Jesse Malin & The St. Marks Social.
* Morningwood.
* Heap (band of David Merrill, Tim Heap, Frank Saitta and George Chambers).
* Spanking Charlene.
* Sic F*ucks.
* MC's: 1) Steve Craig, 2) Matt Pinfield and 3) Pete Ashner.
Steven Van Zandt (Little Steven) (as a MC) and HANK III (as a band) had to cancel their appearances.
Age limit was 16.
Irving Plaza is located at 17 Irving Place, on the corner of 15th Street and Irving Place. The club can easily be reached by subway (trains 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, and W to Union Square, also referred to as 14th Street).
Read picture-story report of my trip. Read and see it here. (Updated: June 1, 2010)
- 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)
More Richie Ramone news in my archive.
CJ RAMONE/ WARD
- CJ Ramone and "Ramones producer" Daniel Rey started touring together in July, 2009, and third member in their trio was 1,5 years Brant Bjork of Kyuss and Fu Manchu. Brant's last shows with CJ and Daniel were in Japan in February, 2010.
Brant Bjork released Gods & Goddesses album in late March, 2010 (in Europe and in USA). Brant released his first solo Jalamanta in 1999. Devon Wendell wrote to The International Review Of Music of Gods & Goddesses: "Though Brant Bjork hasn't received the same acclaim in the U.S as he has in Europe, his God's & Goddessess, speaks to the anxiety and uncertainty existing in America today, and the influences of American blues, classic rock, and early punk are clearly present. The album's sense of agony and hopelessness rises and falls like a rollercoaster, with stellar production by Ethan Allen. The band, consisting of Billy Cordell (ex-bassist of The Yawning Man), guitarist Brandon Henderson and Italian drummer Giampaolo Farnedi, sounds tight yet dirty, reminiscent of early Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Sister Ray era Velvet Underground...." Read whole review here.
Brant Bjork has/had a tour in March-April in Europe. I did an newspaper interview with Brant on April 28, 2010. In addition to Hellfest Open Air festival in France on June 20, 2010, Brant told me, some more summer festival dates will be confirmed, like one in Spain and couple in Germany.
Brant had great memories of shows with CJ and Daniel. Read picture-story report of my days in CJ Ramone's tour in Leipzig and Berlin in 2009.
In April 28, 2010, I asked Brant's opinion if he would like to play with CJ and Daniel in future?: "If CJ calls me up and ask me to play and I am not busy touring, I would love to do it again." (Updated: April 28, 2010)
- Michael Stamberg (March, 2010 ->) is a new drummer in CJ Ramone's trio. Third member is "Ramones producer" Daniel Rey. Michael Stamberg is also the drummer in Eggplant Queens, Project Floyd (Pink Floyd tribute band), The Art Of The Topless, as well an actor. See tour dates here.
I asked from CJ how he knows with Michael. CJ wrote to me in April 27, 2010: "Michael Stamberg is a local guy from Long Island, New York. I met him when Los Gusanos (CJ's early band) was playing in NYC and Long Island. Our bands shared a bill a few times."
Shows in 2009 and in January-February, 2010, CJ and Daniel played with the Brant Bjork. Brant released Gods & Goddesses in late March, 2010 (in Europe and in USA) and started doing solo shows again. (Updated: April 27, 2010)
- CJ Ramone supported succesfully Walk Now For Autism event in 2009 and now he does same in October, 2010. The fundraising Walk Now For Autism was on June 14, 2009. CJ's fundraising goal was 2,500.00 US$. June 16, 2009, was donated 3075.00 dollars.
CJ Ramone wrote to me on April 19, 2010: "For the second year I'll be participating in the Walk Now For Autism Speaks fundraiser. This time we'll be walking on Long Island at Jones Beach State Park, Field 5, Wantagh, NY, USA on October 3, 2010."
Follow the link to make a donation. CJ writes on that page: "Thanks to everyone who supported Team CJ Ramone last year. I'm asking for your support again this year and hope to raise even more on behalf of Team CJ Ramone and my son Liam who is autistic.
Liam's progress since last year's walk and his transition into mainstream classes is proof that the research sponsored by Autism Speaks makes a difference. I hope that you will help me in my efforts to change the furture of other autistic kids by making a donation to support Autism Speaks, CJ Ramone explained."
People who has given donation can also join and walk with Team CJ Ramone.
General information of walk: "Walk Now for Autism Speaks is a fun-filled, family friendly event and is our single most powerful force to fund vital research that will lead us to the answers we need. Experience the power of thousands united by a single cause by joining Walk Now for Autism Speaks. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disorder . we need more volunteers to join our fight. Whether this is your first walk or the 10th, take the first step and register today.
Every 20 minutes, another family receives the devastating news that their child has autism."
In 2009, many fans and I gave smaller donation (mininum 20$). Most of the donations were told publicly, and I think it is OK to mention some. Bigger donations were given for example by Mary Carroll's pub (500$), Johnny Ramone's wife Linda (300$), Trigger of The Continental (100$), Arturo Vega (100$), and Robert May (100$). (April 19, 2009)
- CJ's bass got stolen. Help to find it. Yuki Kuroyanagi of the Ramones Fan Club Japan (and author of the I Love Ramones book) wrote me of CJ's bass got stolen in Tokyo, Japan in February, 2010. CJ's original custom Mosrite bass (only one) got stolen by somebody. Yuki and other fans are trying to find it in Japan. But instruments can also be sold easily to other countries. Keep watching after instrument on Ebay and other net and regular stores etc. Bad guy can't sell it easily. Also bass is easy to recognize as it has serial number: "000CJ." If you has some information, please send me an E-mail here.
See photos of bass in a section of CJ's shows on my site here. (February 22, 2010)
- In January-February, 2010, CJ Ramone had play three shows in Tokyo, Japan, one at the Continental club in New York and one in Canada etc. He did confirm line-up: CJ Ramone will play these shows also with "Ramones producer" Daniel Rey and Brant Bjork of Kyuss/ Fu-Manchu. Show at the Continental will be a special night, as it is reunion night of "real" The Continental with artists who had played a lot at the Continental in past. In addition to CJ Ramone, Daniel Rey and Brant Bjork night will also feature Cheetah Chrome (ex-Dead Boys), Walter Lure's band The Waldos, Lenny Kaye, Bebe Buell, The Bullys, Heap, Charm School, Two Man Advantage, Sea Monster and Trigger's Allstars. Adele Holzman wrote and Michele Lanci-Altomare photographed this show at The Continental. Read and see review here.
(January 9, 2010)
- CJ Ramone is going into the studio with "Ramones producer" Daniel Rey and Brant Bjork (Kyuss/ Fu-Manchu) in January 2010, to record a new album. They has shows in Japan in February.
- 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)
More CJ Ramone news in my archive.