MY TRIP TO NEW YORK, SAN DIEGO, LOS ANGELES AND TIJUANA IN MAY-JUNE 2007

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Copyright 2007 -> Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone

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Third band was Slinky Vagabond. Slinky Vagabond played their debut concert at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash and many people were excited to see how is their performance. Band was featuring the combined talents of drummer Clem Burke, bassist Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols, The Rich Kids etc.), guitarist Earl Slick (David Bowie etc.) and singer Keanan Duffty. Show was OK, but it wasn't anything special. Also many other people seemed to think so. After first listening any of their own songs didn't "hit" so much. Also I can remember Slinky Vagabond playing two cover songs, Pretty Vacant (Sex Pistols) and Boys Keep Swinging (David Bowie).
Then I was chatting with Celine Moray (see photo of her in previous page) and Gene Frawley. Gene was working with the Ramones in past. Soon later started tears falling..., it was time of a beautiful tribute for Joey's mother Charlotte... There was shown photos for example from her childhood, when Joey and Mickey graduated from highschool and from Joey Ramone Place ceremony. Danny Says song was playing on while photos were rolling. Also was shown part of the Geraldo TV show's Heavy Metal Mom's episode in 1990, like when Charlotte sang part of Beat On The Brat song. It was a special episode about rockstars and their mom's. Charlotte and Joey were really great on it. It was good to have person like Celine next to you while watching Charlotte tribute. We both understood our feelings.

I and Celine were also chatting with George Tabb. Then New York Dolls guys walked on stage and I went down to take photos to the photographer area in front of the stage. New York Dolls started their set with Ramones song I Wanna Be Sedated. It was a nice surprise. And btw, it was not listed in their setlist. Their version of I Wanna Be Sedated was good and not too different. There was also Finnish skills on stage, Sam Yaffa (the most well known from original Hanoi Rocks) has been playing bass on New York Dolls since 2004. After I Wanna Be Sedated we heard another classic Personality Crisis and then opening track We're All In One from their One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This (2006) album. Band was in a good shape and they got praising feedback from the audience. Pills, Looking For A Kiss and other classics were great to hear.
After New York Dolls finished I met with Carole Cassioy and Audrey Dineen. Charlotte introduced them for me as her friends at the Birthday Bash in 2005. It was nice to chat with Carole and Audrey again. Then was time for me and Tommy Ramone to meet first time in that night and change hugs and greetings.

A while before midnight started main set of the night. I was taking photos in front of the stage. Clem Burke was on drums, Andy Shernoff (The Dictators, played a lot with Joey and also in his record) was on bass and Al Maddy, Ed Stasium (produced Ramones albums etc.) and Walt Stack (The Bullys) were on guitars. Jayne County was main singer of the first songs and Tish & Snooky (Manic Panic company) were doing back vocals. It was great idea that Jayne County started with I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend. Jayne was in drag queen look - lot of make-up, pantyhoses were ragged etc. Jayne sang I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend sweety way. Same line-up performed Somebody Put Something In My Drink and in one point Jayne lie down to the floor. Soon Jayne was spinning etc. Then was time of next guest singer Willie Nile. Willie Nile seemed to be a bit unknown for many Ramones fans. He has released two albums in early eighties. Willie has been working for example with Elvis Costello, Ian Hunter and Ringo Starr. Willie sang I Wanna Be Sedated.
Clem Burke was replaced by the Dictators drummer J.P. Patterson. George Tabb (see photo of him in previous page) sang Wart Hog with tight attitude and without mercy. Wart Hog was one of the highlight of the night. It was so great to see George Tabb in a good condition. There was in spring/summer 2006 campaign for George because he was then seriously sick. I also put to my site information that they can donate money for him. Luckily he recovered. But he still needs help. Click here to read his story and donate some money if you can.... Also for him was released Help George Tabb! Vol. 1 album on September 11, 2007. Joey and Dee Dee Ramone did co-operation with George's band Furious George, like Joey sang vocals on Gilligan song on album Gets A Record and Dee Dee sang backup on song Betty Crocker Punk Rocker on EP Goes Ape. George was a while also Ramones roadie.
Of the some reason Ed Stasium did pretty lot mistakes during the night. Andy Shernoff, Al Maddy, Walt Stack and J.P Patterson were doing good work.

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