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Joey Ramone Birthday Bash was over. Before leaving I bought Joey Ramone Birthday Bash T-shirts and then I hanged with Mickey Leigh, Mike Breschard and David K. Arturo, David K. and I visited quickly Arturo Vega's house before we three and James Rubio headed to Jesse Malin's bar The Bowery Electric. Mickey was asked me to come to after party there. I and Mickey cheered to the birthday of Joey and me. We discussed of Ramones shows in Finland in 1977. The Ramones played in Helsinki and Tampere in May 1977. Mickey was then working as a roadie for the Ramones.
- The Ramones was played in Copenhagen, Denmark and Stockholm, Sweden some days before the first shows in Finland. Crowd was going crazy in another show in Finland. They couldn't stand up, they had to sit on seats in a theatre. They only clapped after songs ended. It was pretty strange to see Ramones playing and people sitting in seats. Then fans started throwing chairs etc. and having fun. I would love to see videotape of that show, Mickey Leigh said.
There were no many people in a after party at The Bowery Electric. I was pretty tired and I went to sleep at 5AM. It was still strange to sleep in that special apartment of Arturo Vega's, and feel spirit especially of Joey and Dee Dee. Next morning Arturo and I were speaking of his memories of the Ramones playing in Finland.
- I remember how Finland was still more influenced by Russia in 1977. We felt that secret police was following us, at the duty they came with dogs and were looking for drugs. I also remember well how honest and friendly people were and beautiful physically in Finland and in whole Scandinavian, said Arturo Vega.
Also we spoke again a bit of the Ramones playing in my hometown Kauhajoki in Finland. The Ramones played at Nummirock festival in 1992 and 1994. The Ramones had always strong following in Finland and in whole Scandinavia.
I and Arturo also discussed of Joey and Dee Dee Ramone dolls made by Alison "Ali" Boyd and how great they are, see them here. Ali does make them handcrafted. Arturo had Joey doll next to his computer.
Arturo Vega had sold all of his copies of my books Heaven Needed A Lead Singer: Fans Remember Joey Ramone and Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone. He wanted more of them. We made a trade and I also bought some items from him, so he has biggest Ramones merchandise selection on his site. Max Brand from Canada came to visit Arturo and I was happy to meet him again. Max has travelled many times from Toronto to Joey Ramone Birthday Bash.
Next I had a meeting with Adele Holtzman and Marta Alcaraz. We visited together Trash And Vaudeville. Diane Hatcher is my friend and a long time Ramones fan. Diane did not got chance to travel for Joey Ramone Birthday Bash in this year from Houston. I was confirmed in April, 2008 that Diane Hatcher would send to the Trash And Vaudeville some things for me which I take to Joey Ramone's grave. I got Diane's packet and letter with some money and as a birthday gift special shot glasses from Texas. I do collect shot glasses and I bought/ got in this trip many shot glasses to my collection. Diane also knows well with Jimmy Web (store manager of Trash And Vaudeville). Jimmy told how nice letter he got from Diane as well.
I had a meeting and interview with Jesse Malin at 3PM in that day (May 20, 2008). I asked Adele Holtzman and Marta Alcaraz to come with me to the interview. Jesse Malin was really friendly and our interview lasted around 15-20 minutes. Interview comes to my third Ramones book. I asked from Jesse how he felt of his and Joey's friendship and how he felt that Joey and other Ramones members supported Jesse's solo career and his early band D-Generation. Ramones and D-Generation toured together in 1994. I put to my page in April, 2008 that Jesse Malin released new album, it is cover album which also include Do You Remember Rock And Roll Radio. Jesse told for example how U2 was invited Joey for U2 show. Joey asked Jesse to come to the show with him. Jesse told how he was seen how much U2 members respected Joey.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:Photo 1) Marta Alcaraz, Jesse Malin and Adele Holtzman in May 20, 2008.
2) Joey Ramone's resting place in May 20, 2008. You can see in a photo red dream catcher which Diane Hatcher sent from Houston for me to take to Joey's grave...
3) Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh and Diane Hatcher in May, 2007.
4) Diane Hatcher and Trash And Vaudeville's Jimmy Webb in May, 2007.
5) Diane Hatcher and Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone at Joey's grave in May, 2006.
6) Joey Ramone's resting place and Diane Hatcher in May, 2006.
Marta, Adele and I started to drive for Joey's resting place. Sadly Marta was sick and she wasn't feeling well. Marta had to go back to her hotel. Adele and I were a bit late in New Jersey where is cemetary where has Joey's grave. Main gates of cemetary were closed. Luckily small side gate was open and we felt that Joey Ramone helped us again. It was raining when we were driving to New Jersey, but in a cemetary there was no rain. Only tears in our cheeks when I and Adele met our Joey again. It was 6:20PM. It was good to be in silence with Joey and hear birds singing. I was thinking that Joey was speaking and singing for us with voices of birds. I put next to grave stone flowers on behalf of Diane Hatcher and beautiful dream catcher which Diane was sent in a packet which I got in that day from Trash And Vaudeville. So many times I was visited Joey's grave with Diane, and every time she was brought there beautiful dream catcher. There was still decoration butterflies which Diane and I were set to Joey's grave stone in May, 2007... Also blue painted stone with Joey Lives text was still there, it was brought there by some fan many years ago. I wrote and left again a short letter for Joey to the grave, I wrote: "Dear Joey,
so many people are sending love for You through I and Adele now, when we are thinking of You and listening when birds are singing how do You. Rock In Peace with Dee Dee and Johnny. Love, Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone."
Adele had visited Joey's resting place also 1,5 months earlier in April 4, 2008. I and Adele were speaking of our dear grandmothers Ilma and Bertha. Adele's grandmother Bertha has born in a same day with Joey and I (May 19). It was time to say goodbye for Joey. Thanks again Adele that you wanted to come with me to see Joey also this year.
Next day Arturo was starting his small holiday trip. Arturo was telling how he was going to visit his relatives in Mexico before he was going again to Warped Tour. Early next morning it was time to say goodbye for Arturo. I started my return trip to Finland in May 21. That day I visited first post office. As a last note I wrote to my note pocket book that I did sent two Joey Ramone Birthday Bash T-shirts and few posters for Diane Hatcher...
1,5 months later...
...July 5, 2008 I got an E-mail from Diane Hatcher's cousin Terri that Diane had passed away that day... I was afraid to hear that news since I spoke with Diane Hatcher on phone last time in April, 2008. Terri was sent me an E-mail in April: "If you would be so kind, Diane would really like to talk to you - and she requests that you call her. She has much to tell you ... and I will let her fill you in on her recent and extended hospital stay. Thank you so much for contacting her quickly. Terri."
I called Diane in April and Diane confirmed then that She will not be able to be in New York in May, 2008. Like I wrote in that text, She wanted me to take flowers, dream cathcher etc. for Joey's grave. Diane's health situation had bad for a long time and She had to live with lot of pain. Diane Hatcher and Randy Wisebrod helped me most with my first book Heaven Needed A Lead Singer: Fans Remember Joey Ramone. Diane was fifteen years when she met Joey Ramone for the first time in 1983:
"Then, for reasons still unknown to me, Joey Ramone noticed me standing there, took pity, and started talking to me. I guess he realized how freaked out I was. He was polite, funny, and extremely gracious, without a hint of condescension. We made small talk for several minutes, and he signed an autograph for me without me having to ask. I couldn't believe I was actually standing there talking to this man whom I had idolized for so many years!"
For example that way Diane wrote to my first book in Her personal text. Diane really cared of Joey with a huge heart. Like I wrote earlier, She did travel for many Joey Ramone Birthday Bashes from Houston and many times we visited together Joey's resting place. I and Diane shared hotel room few times during our trips, like in 2007. Dear Diane is free of pain now, and I know that Joey will take care of her also. Diane was only 40 years young when She passed away.
Fans, many of you does know Diane through my books and tour diaries. Please send good feelings for Her and strength for Diane's relatives and friends, like for Betty, Terri and James. James was Diane's long time friend and also he wrote to me of Diane's passing before was time of Diane's funeral. You can find picture of Diane and James together from page 148 from book Heaven Needed A Lead Singer: Fans Remember Joey Ramone. Terri wrote to me many times of Diane after She became an angel, and I had my personal memorial service in my apartment for Diane when was Her funeral in Houston. You will be missed Diane.
LOVE.
RIP.
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