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This was first year when there was no any Ramones member at Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. Richie Ramone had to cancel his coming 2,5 weeks earlier, CJ Ramone had other plans and Tommy Ramone and Marky Ramone were touring elsewhere.
Singer-songwriter Rachel Newman performed first. Her sentimental short set brought also Janis Joplin's spirit to the house. Rachel performed Me & Bobby McGee song from Janis Joplin's last album Pearl. Me & Bobby McGee is written by Kris Kristofferson. After Rachel Newman's performance five bands played 10-15 minutes sets. We saw then on stage in this order L.E.S. Stitches, Charm School, The Independents, Local H and Semi Precious Weapons. All of them played few own tunes and one Ramones song. The Charm School finished their set with I Just Want To Have Something To Do, and Local H started their set with same Ramones cover.
The Independents rocked Quarter To Three and Little Blue before was time of Baby Doll. Baby Doll was a song which Evil Presly said that Joey especially loved of The Independents tunes. The Independents finished their set with Ramones cover Cretin Hop. Adele Holzman is big The Independents fans and it was great to see her enjoying show with big attitude. Adele was seen The Independents live also two days earlier in Clifton, New Jersey, USA. Most of the fans supported The Independents well, and with reason. Evil is wild and startling performer, and other guys also put their best on stage. Audience supported other acts also well. Joey Ramone Birthday Bash was in this year in Monday and it was maybe reason for it that event wasn't sold-out. Between the bands was shown parts of the It's Alive 1974-1996 DVD. Artists were introduced by MC's Matt Pinfield, Peter Asher and Little Steven.
Sets by Richard Lloyd and Mary Weiss
lasted 20-25 minutes. Richard Lloyd
is best-known as a former member of the Television. Richard Lloyd played
with his new band the SmuftyDogs. SmuftyDogs drummer Billy Ficca also
played in Television. I was busy talking with other Ramones fans and I
missed their performance.Like I wrote before, Mary Weiss was a lead singer of the 60's band Shangri-Las. I and David K. were listening Mary Weiss and her group from second floor, there is from balcony an great view to the stage. Mary released Dangerous Game album in 2007. I wasn't heard songs from that album before. But from Shangri-Las' songs I and David K. recognized of course hits like Out In The Streets, Give Him A Great Big Kiss and Leader Of The Pack. Blondie has covered Out In The Streets. Mary talked nicely of our Joey in her speech.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Photo 1) Walter Lure (from left to right), Cheetah Chrome, Ross The Boss, J.P Thunderbolt, Handsome Dick Manitoba and Bobby Steele.
2) Cheetah Chrome and Al Maddy.
3) Andy Shernoff and Ivan Julian.
4) Ramones fans are giving good feelings for Jean Beauvoir and other artists who played tribute for Joey Ramone..
5) Mary Weiss.
6) Arturo Vega, Mickey Leigh and Lynn Probst.
Manitoba's Wild Kingdom consisted of the Dictators members, singer Handsome Dick Manitoba, bassist Andy Shernoff, guitarist Ross The Boss and drummer J.P Thunderbolt. Their set was played with rough style. Especially Handsome Dick Manitoba performed with real attitude of "Bronx" (New York). Solos by Ross The Boss also rocked hard way. It was not surprise to hear by Manitoba's Wild Kingdom songs like The Party Starts Now and New York New York song.
J.P Thunderbolt was playing drums all the time also in a Joey memory set. Before that special set started, Arturo Vega had a speech on stage and he made a raffle. Fans had got chance to buy raffle tickets and they won autographed items etc.
It had also this year lot performers in a Joey memory set. All of them were people who really knew Joey and with who Joey would also go on stage nowadays... I was taking great group photos in a backstage of Ross The Boss, J.P Thunderbolt, Handsome Dick Manitoba, Walter Lure (of the Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers etc.), Cheetah Chrome (Dead Boys etc.) and Bobby Steele (The Undead, ex-Misfits etc.) together. Also on stage were on that Joey memory set Mickey Leigh, Al Maddy, Jean Beauvoir (Plasmatics, producer etc.), Andy Shernoff, Jesse Malin, Joe McGinty (The Psychedelic Furs etc.), Ivan Julian (Richard Hell & The Voidoids, Osaka Popstar etc.), Arno Hecht (The Slashtones etc.) and Tish & Snooky (Manic Panic NYC).
When was played an Ramones set, I was mostly taking photos from side of the stage. Songs were performed with so big heart that feeling is hard to explain, it is better that I do write here only line-up's of some songs. Singer-guitarist Jesse Malin, guitarist Al Maddy, bassist Andy Shernoff, saxophonist Arno Hecht and drummer J.P Thunderbolt performed Questioningly. Bobby Steele sang and played guitar with the guys in I Remember You.
Singer-guitarist Walter Lure, guitarists Al Maddy and Cheetah Chrome, Andy Shernoff and J.P Thunderbolt performed together for example Chinese Rocks.
Singer Handsome "Dick" Manitoba, J.P Thunderbolt, Al Maddy, Andy Shernoff and Cheetah Chrome did Sonic Reducer.
Singer-guitarist Jean Beauvoir, keyboardist Joe McGinty, Maddy, Shernoff and Thunderbolt performed first Something To Believe In and then Bonzo Goes To Bitburg together with saxophonist Arno Hecht.
Mickey Leigh sang with the guys first I Want You Around and then Mickey introduced and thanked people like Dave Frey, Lynn Probst and Arturo Vega. Hearts were sending love for Joey while Mickey sang next What A Wonderful World. Mickey then thanked all people who attended event and he said that there are for example fans from Finland, South-America and Italy.
57th year young Joey Ramone heard soon Happy Birthday song traditionally played by bag pipes men group The Punk Pipers.
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