With Richie and CJ punkrocked Joey's brother Mickey Leigh. Birthday Bash is a memorial event to Joey on his birthday (May 19). This was 18th Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. As you know, we lost Joey Ramone on April 15, 2001. After that Joey's and Mickey's mother Charlotte Lesher (1927-2007) and Mickey started to yearly organize Birthday Bashes. In this event different musicians were again playing in a honor of Joey and also they spoke many speeches.
In addition to CJ Ramone, Richie Ramone and Mickey Leigh that night were playing The Gobshites, The Italians, Heap and Mutated Music. Guest appearances were by George Tabb (known for example of the Furious George etc.), Lindsey Anderson (aka Kitty Kowalski), Miriam Linna (The Cramps), Evil Presly (The Independents), Arno Hecht, Peter Zaremba (The Fleshtones), Tish, Snooky and Russell Wolinsky (Sic F*cks), Walt Stack, Pat Carpenter, Danny Nezz and Punk Pipers. MC's were John Holmstrom, Monte A. Melnick, Peter Aschner, Mitch "Bubbles" Keller and Debra Trizzini.
Here is information that Mickey wrote of Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2018 in March: "Happy to officially announce the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2018! Benefitting the Joey Ramone Foundation for Lymphoma Research, this year's event will take place at The Bowery Electric and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of the Ramones Road To Ruin album, with The Love Triangle featuring Richie Ramone, CJ Ramone and Mickey Leigh performing the songs of the entire album (Road To Ruin), plus many more special guests to be announced!", wrote Mickey in advance. Advance tickets cost 40US$. So Joey Ramone Birthday Bash got sold-out on March 31. (Updated: May 12, 2018)
- There are many memorial events to Joey Ramone on May 19, 2018.
1) CJ Ramone, Richie Ramone, Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh and many more artists will play at Joey Ramone Birthday Bash at Bowery Electric in NYC, USA on May 19, 2018. Event got got sold-out on March 31, 2018. Read more here.
2) Sasha Rock'n'roll of Kerosin etc. organize birthday bash event to Joey in Moscow, Russia on May, 2018. It is at the Punk Fiction Bar (Club) in Moscow. Event starts at 19:00/ 7PM and there are playing Kerosin, Rocket Reducer, Backbone Crash and Stingy.
3) Ramones Mania 2018 event is at the James Ballentine "Uptown" VFW in Minneapolis, MN, USA, on May 19, 2018. Address of venue: 2916 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis. Event starts at 7PM and on it for example plays Ramones' cover bands, New Rocket Union, Impaler and Jiro Okabe. Ramones Mania 2018 is hosted by TravoRama FaFaFa from KFAI - 90.3 FM Minneapolis. (May 5, 2018)
- There is new a limited edition Joey Ramone single that has in both sides song Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight). This is 7' red vinyl and only 500 copies are being pressed.
The A-side is Joey Ramone's alternate arrangement of Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight). The B-side is the previously unheard, unreleased original demo of the song. This is the recording the Ramones listened to the first time they heard the song - made in Joey's apartment on a 4-track cassette recorder. Joey's brother Mickey Leigh tells he is recorded it.
100 % of proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross of America. Red Cross are the first and main responders to people in need of food and medical attention resulting from catastrophes occurring around the world. Order this single from Joey Ramone store. Orders will not ship until approximately December 11th, 2017. (December 1, 2017)
- New Joey Ramone figure will be released by company named Funko in June, 2017. Stylized collectable stands 3 ¾ inches tall and comes in a window display box. Interpunk says that it comes out in June 16. But in Amazon item will be released on June 30, 2017. Buy Joey Ramone figure from here
. (June 9, 2017)- Joey Ramone Birthday Bash is also in this year, of course in May 19, 2017. Event is at The Studio at Webster Hall. Birthday Bash is a memorial event to Joey on his birthday (May 19). This is 17th Joey Ramone Birthday Bash.
Richie Ramone, CJ Ramone and Joey's brother Mickey Leigh will play one set as a trio.
There is another long set with lot of guests.
- Since this year is the 40th anniversary of the second and third Ramones albums Leave Home and Rocket To Russia, we have two albums to celebrate and we'll have two 'house bands' playing every song on both albums, Mickey explains.
Richie Ramone, Clem Burke (Elvis Ramone) will play drums, Andy Shernoff (The Dictators, Master Plan etc.) bass, Ramones' producer Ed Stasium guitar and Walt Stack (The Bullys) guitar when is played Leave Home album. Ed Stasium did producer and musician works for both albums.
Singers in that long set are: Lindsey Anderson (aka Kitty Kowalski), Miriam Linna, Vincent Karloff (Evil Presly), Ingrid Larsen, George Tabb, Tim Heap, Tish, Snooky, Russell Wolinsky, James Boland, Jahn Xavier, Rew Starr, Philippe Marcade, Mick Stitch, Dave Ellis and Pat DiNizio.
I noticed that CJ Ramone has that night also solo show in Philadelphia. Show is part of his album (American Beauty) release tour. Distance between venues is around 100 miles, so it might be hard to do both at the same night? But he will play in both events.
- CJ will play the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash early with Richie and Mickey. Then we leave for Philadelphia, confirmed CJ's manager Gene Frawley to me in April 1, 2017.
Frawley worked years for the Ramones in 1980-90's, as a security guy, driver etc. and of course he was their close friend.
Also David Peel And The Lower East Side, The Cuts, The Stitches and Punk Pipers (as always) will perform at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2017. Night is hosted by John Holmstrom, Debra "Raffles" Trizzini, and Pete Aschner. Also there will be famous photographer Paul Zone, James Boland etc.
Ticket is 30 US$ and you can buy it from here.
As always before all proceeds were benefit to The Joey Ramone Foundation For Lymphoma Research. (Updated: May 12, 2017).
- The sixteenth Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2016 was at The Studio at
Webster Hall, New York, USA. Read here
two pages long review of this event written by Linda Iorio.
Joey Ramone Birthday Bash did include a great set
of artists, for example sets by Andy Shernoff, The Queers, The Threads,
Barb Wire Dolls, Blue Coupe, David Peel & The Lower East Side and Tracy
Thornton's Pan For Punks. Main men behind event were Joey's brother
Mickey Leigh and manager Dave Frey.In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Ramones' debut album. Producer Craig Leon did speak of it and answered to questions people asked from him. Tribute band who punkrocked entire debut album consisted of Clem Burke (aka Elvis Ramone, Blondie), Cheetah Chrome (The Dead Boys), Walt Stack (The Bullys) and Mike Watt (The Minutemen). Singers in a tribute set included Miriam Linna (The Cramps, Norton Records etc.), Evil Presly (The Independents), George Tabb (Furious George), Richard Bacchus (D-Generation), James Boland (Jeff Starship / Joey Ramone on HBO's vinyl), Mayana Moura, Paul Zone (The Fast), Joey Lanz (The Bullys) and Tish, Snooky & Russell Wolinsky (Sic Fucks). This night did feature also Arno Hecht, Pat Carpenter, Matt Chiaravalle, Bobby Weiss, Johnny Pisano and MC's John Holmstrom and Stig Stench and hosts Debra Trizzini and Peter Aschner etc. Birthday Bash is a memorial event to Joey on his birthday (May 19). Tickets were 30 US$.
As always before all proceeds were benefit to The Joey Ramone Foundation For Lymphoma Research. There was also told of contest: "Create a GIF featuring Joey Ramone and post it on either Twitter or Instagram, tagged with .#HBDJoeyRamone to win a pair of tickets to the celebration! One random winner will be chosen on Monday, May 9, 2016", was written on infos. (Updated: May 28, 2016)
- Andy Shernoff, who is known for bands like The Dictators (founding member and songwriter for all their music), Master Plan and The Fleshtones, wrote a beautiful and touching tribute song with a rocky edge for Joey Ramone. Listen Sweet Joey song here. I asked more of the song from Andy Shernoff.
- I had the idea of writing a song about Joey for over a year. A month ago my ideas all came together and I recorded it in my home studio, wrote Shernoff to me on May 4, 2016.
He has heard dozens of worthy songs about Joey.
- But I wanted to do a take on the guy I knew, rather than the icon.
Shernoff does YouTube videos for all his songs. Check out his YouTube channel here.
- I asked Mickey (Joey's brother) for permission to use some of his family photos. He agreed and said he also wanted to use the song to promote the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. I then suggested we offer it as a download with all money raised going to the Joey Ramone Foundation for Lymphoma Research, Shernoff did continue.
The song is available for download and every penny goes to The Joey Ramone Foundation for Lymphoma Research, click here.
Thanks Andy.
Joey considered Andy Shernoff as part of his group of close friends. He was one of few who was next to Joey's bed in the hospital when Joey passed away. As you may know, he played bass on Joey's solo album, Don't Worry About Me. He wrote some songs together with Joey and other Ramones members etc. You can find my extensive interview with Andy Shernoff from my 3rd book Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives. Andy, my friend David Kelly and I were having 2,5 hours long discussion in Andy's home where is also his studio. (May 4, 2016).
JOHNNY RAMONE NEWS: JANUARY 2016 - DECEMBER 2018:
At first Johnny was retired, he only appearanced sometimes in baseball games and this Ramones meeting was only Ramones influenced happening to Johnny. Then he did small "comeback", like in performance on Pearl Jam concert. Johnny Ramone passed away on September 15, 2004.
- Johnny Ramone's wife Linda sent me good news in July that there is also in this year Johnny Ramone Tribute event. It is at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, USA, on August 26, 2018. There is Johnny's grave and an 8 ft tall bronze memorial statue of Johnny. Dee Dee Ramone's grave is in the same cemetery not far from Johnny's statue.
- Gonna be a great psychedelic punk night for the Johnny Ramone tribute! Guests and details to follow, Linda wrote on July 5, 2018.
You can check out there Ramones and cult memorabilia. Howie Pyro (ex-D Generation, The Blessed etc.) is DJ. Special guests are Billie Joe Armstrong (Rancid), Duff McKagan (Guns N'Roses and Loaded), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols), Traci Lords, Fred Armisen and Grace McKagan.
Billie Joe Armstrong, Duff McKagan, Grace McKagan, Fred Armisen and Steve Jones will do musical performance. Armisen is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and musician. He is best known as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 2002 until 2013. Traci Lords is an actress, singer, model etc. She sings backing vocals on Sometoby To Love song in Ramones album Acid Eaters.
Johnny Ramone loved sci-fi and cult movies and posters. So also this year in Johnny Ramone Tribute is shown movie. It is a 50th-anniversary screening of Barbarella. Barbarella is a 1968 science fiction film directed by Roger Vadim, based on the comic series of the same name by Jean-Claude Forest. It is starring actors like Jane Fonda, John Phillip Law, Marcel Marceau, David Hemmings and Ugo Tognazzi.
Tickets are $16. Event starts at 6:45PM. Barbarella film will be shown at 8:30PM. Buy tickets from here.
Event is held as a benefit for the Johnny Ramone Cancer Research Fund which is led by Dr. David Agus at the USC Westside prostate cancer research center. (Updated: August 24, 2018).
- Long Live Vinyl (United Kingdom) is magazine dedicated to collecting,
enjoying and
loving vinyl releases. As we Ramones' fans also has noticed, the format
has seen a huge resurgence in recent years. September 2017 issue has
Johnny Ramone in cover and you can read in that issue interview with
Danny Fields (first Ramones manager). He tells what it was like to be
at the heart of a revolution that irrevocably altered the musical
landscape.
Long Live Vinyl also round up the essential 40 punk 7-inches that every
collector should own. Issue has interesting things like BBC Radio 6
Music DJ Steve Lamacq gives an exclusive tour of his vast record
collection. (August 14, 2017)
- Johnny's wife Linda sent me good news. There is Johnny Ramone Tribute
Event at Hollywood Forever cemetery in Los Angeles, USA, on July 30,
2017. Buy ticket from
here.Event is presented by Linda.
- Billy Idol and Steve Jones (Sex Pistols etc.) will play some amazing acoustic songs at this year's Johnny Ramone Tribute, Linda wrote.
There is also for example special exhibition and will be shown outdoor movie. This year's theme features a screening of one of Johnny's favorite films, 1998's cult classic Buffalo '66, introduced by its director and star Vincent Gallo, who was Johnny's very close and personal friend. In addition to the film screening, the 2017 Johnny Ramone Tribute will feature an exhibition of some rare never-before-seen Ramones memorabilia from Johnny Ramone's and Tommy Ramone's personal collection in the mausoleum with Ramones art by Shepard Fairey, Lucas David and Shag. Also, a pop-up gallery from Morrison Hotel Gallery, DJ'd by the Howie Pyro (ex-D Generation etc.), food trucks and special celebrity appearances. Anyway most important is to celebrate Johnny and Ramones legacy.
In addition to Vincent Gallo, Billy Idol, Steve Jones and Howie Pyro, there are guests like Rosanna Arquette (actor, film director and producer), Mickey Rourke (actor) and Fred Armisen (actor).
The tribute will also feature a short ceremony in honor of Johnny's and Linda's beloved friend Chris Cornell, who has been laid to rest right next to Johnny. Cornell was found dead in his Detroit hotel room early on the morning of May 18, 2017. He was best known as the lead vocalist for the Soundgarden and Audioslave.
Tribute is a fundraising event for the Johnny and Linda Ramone Foundation, which provides funding for Dr. David Agus at the Center for Applied Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at USC.
In last five years guests are included Tommy Ramone (2012), Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats), Billy Zoom (X), Henry Rollins, Steve Jones (Sex Pistols etc.), actors Johnny Depp and Traci Lords, director-actor John Waters and many people from the cast and makers of Rock And Roll High School movie. Those guests included director Allan Arkush, producer Roger Corman and actors PJ Soles (Riff Randell), Mary Woronov (Principal Evelyn Togar), Clint Howard (Eaglebauer) and Vince Van Patten (Tom Roberts). Read more of 2013 event here and of 2012 event here.
Event is in a area where is Johnny Ramone's memorial statue and the gravesite of Dee Dee Ramone. You has chance to make this in "picnic style", sit in a blanket, have something to eat and drink while watching things that are shown. (Updated: July 21, 2017)
- There was no Johnny Ramone Tribute Event at Hollywood Forever cemetery
in last year. In this year it is. Event is presented by Johnny's wife
Linda. Event is at Hollywood
Forever cemetery on July 24, 2016. Doors open 6.30PM and activities
starts at 8.30PM. Tickets are 20$ in advance and 25$ at the gate.Steve Jones of The Sex Pistols and Jonesy's Jukebox (radio program) is the guest host of event. Henry Rollins is a special guest, and John Doe will be moderating Q&A panel discussions with the casts of two rock movies, "Ramones movie" Rock 'N' Roll High School (1979) and Ladies And Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains (1982). Ladies And Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains is directed by Lou Adler and is starring Steve Jones.
For the first time in over 30 years, the cast and makers of Rock 'N' Roll High School will also be reuniting widely for a very special Q&A panel discussion before the screening of the film! Mary Woronov (Principal Evelyn Togar), Clint Howard (Eaglebauer), Vince Van Patten (Tom Roberts), will be joining PJ Soles (Riff Randell), Roger Corman (producer) and Allan Arkush (director) and the writers of the film, Richard Whitley and Russ Dvonch to share what it was really like filming with Ramones and creating one of punk rocks greatest films.
DJ Howie Pyro will be spinning tunes all night. One special thing is that Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett's special collection of horror movie memorabilia will also be on display for fans to explore. Rarely seen in public, the collection includes a treasure trove of movie posters, props, toys and costumes from his personal collection. Johnny Ramone had a huge collection of horror movie posters. Read more from my Johnny memorial site.
Proceeds from the celebration will benefit the Johnny and Linda Ramone Foundation, supporting prostate cancer research, and Dr. David Agus at the Center for Applied Medicine, the Keck School of Medicine, USC. (Updated: July 12, 2016)
DEE DEE RAMONE NEWS: JANUARY 2016 - DECEMBER 2018:
Dee Dee joined Joey in heaven on June 5th, 2002... There are many things and news related to Dee Dee after he passed away:
- Standing In The Spotlight (1989) is the title of Dee Dee Ramone's
first solo album. It is very rap oriented and upon first hearing it,
left many people confused. It has seen a release through cassette, LP
and CD. New edition of Standing In The Spotlight got released in 2017.
New reissue packaging includes a Japanese-style obi strip. LP Limited
to 3,000 units pressed on black 150 gram vinyl. This is released for
Rhino Records' Start Your Ear Off Right campaign in the USA and
Canada.New edition has no any unreleased material even there are some unreleased songs from same sessions, like song titled Great Adventure. Standing In The Spotlight contains a total of 10 songs including Crusher that also appears on the last Ramones studio album, Adios Amigos. Blondie's Debbie Harry and Chris Stein make an appearance on Standing In the spotlight; Debbie provides background vocals on Mashed Potato Time and German Kid, and Chris plays guitar on German Kid. See tracklisting here. (Updated: April 14, 2018)
- Experience Via De Los Muertos day at Hollywood Forever Cemetery on October 28, 2017. Hollywood Forever Cemetery (6000 Santa Monica Blvd) is in Los Angeles, USA, and that day is chance to pay respect to Dee Dee Ramone a special way. There is Dee Dee's memorial altar and you can buy limited editions of Dee Dee's T-shirts, art prints and more at Dee Dee's custom tent (located alongside the display) too.
Dee Dee is buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. There is also a statue in memory of Johnny Ramone that was unveiled by his wife, Linda Cummings, on January 14, 2005. (Updated: October 27, 2017).
- Thanks to Anna and Helena Piella and Alfredo Cordeiro that I know now
of 7' split single Sid Vicious: Chinese Rocks / Knox And The Pisstons:
Do You Remember Rock And Roll Radio? This sawblade shaped vinyl
was released by MT
Undertainment / Empty Records in April 2016.Front cover art has Dee Dee Ramone's and Paul Kostabi's painting and back cover art has Dee Dee Ramone's painting.
Knox of The Vibrators recorded Ramones' cover Do You Remember Rock And Roll Radio? with German band The Pisstons. Chinese Rocks is written by Dee Dee Ramone and Richard Hell and Ramones recorded their version of it to End Of The Century album (1980). This single has live version which Sid Vicious played at Max's Kansas City in New York, USA, in September, 1978. This sawblade shaped vinyl 7' is limited to 500 copies. (January 1, 2017)
- Reissue edition of Dee Dee Ramone's book Chelsea Horror Hotel got published on March 2016 in the USA by Da Capo Press. This new edition has a new foreword by Joe Dante, horror icon and director of Gremlins, The Howling and Twilight Zone: The Movie.
Original version of book got published on May 10th, 2001.
Dee Dee rocked Chelsea Horror Hotel book release party at the Lakeside Lounge on Ave B in the East Village, New York, USA on June 8, 2001. Read more details of Chelsea Horror Hotel here. (April 12, 2016).
TOMMY RAMONE NEWS: JANUARY 2016 - DECEMBER 2018
Tommy joined Joey, Dee Dee and Johnny in heaven on July 11, 2014... There are some things and news related to Tommy after he passed away:
- May 4, 2018, Tommy Ramone's (RIP 2014) final show as a Ramones drummer
was at Johnny Blitz benefit event at CBGB's in New York, USA on May 4,
1978. So now it is 40 years of it (that day when I make this update). I
did many interviews with Tommy Ramone especially to my 3rd book
Ramones: Soundtrack
Of Our Lives. My 2nd book
Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone is
sold-out. These questions are from it. Jari-Pekka: What were your reasons behind your decison to leave the Ramones?
Tommy Ramone: I loved playing the drums and I loved all the live shows we did, but being on the road all the time, cooped up in vans, dressing rooms, hotel rooms was putting me in a major state of depression. In the recording studio I was free, creative and in control, on the road I was a confused and abused passenger. It felt as if I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I also felt I could be more productive helping them write songs and producing the records if I did not have to tour. I was thinking that if we got a good drummer to replace me, then that would be the best for everybody. That is what happened, and we went on to make Road To Ruin, Tommy told me.
Jari-Pekka: Did you help/ recommend to recruit Marky for your position as the Ramones drummer and did you actively take a roll in breaking Marky into the role as the new Ramones drummer?
Tommy Ramone: Marky was our top choice right from the start and he turned out perfect. He was enthusiastic and very cooperative. He had his own powerful style which was perfect for the direction the Ramones were taking at the time. I got on well with Marky and we went to work right away in developing a new sound. We combined Marky's style with a little bit of my style and came up with the great drums on the Road To Ruin album, Tommy told me. (May 4, 2018)
- There is a Tommy Ramone memorial concert at Toldi Klubban in Budapest, Hungary, on September 1, 2016. Tommy Ramone was born in Budapest on January 29, 1949. In this event at Toldi Klubban will be first shown End Of The Century: The Story Of The Ramones documentary and then will play the Ramones tribute band Romanes.
In this millennium Tommy Ramone visited few times in Hungary. He for example was the special guest of Hungarian Ramones Mania tribute band in concert at the Zöldpardon in Budapest, Hungary on July 3, 2008. Tommy was brought to Hungsry by Hungarian television channel RTL Klub as the only Hungarian member of Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
And one special event was in November 2004... There was Ramones tribute concert by Hungarian ambassador to the USA in Washington, USA, and Tommy Ramone was a special guest. Read more of it here. (August 29, 2016)
MARKY RAMONE NEWS: JANUARY 2016 - DECEMBER 2018
- Marky Ramone's internet radio show is nowadays named First Wave Blitzkrieg. You can listen it at SiriusXM: Channel 33 every other Tuesday at 8PM EST/5PM PST. It rebroadcasts Thursdays 11PM EST / 8PM PST. EST means Eastern Standard Time, that time zone is for example in New York, USA. PST means Pacific Standard Time, that time zone is for example in California, USA.
Marky Ramone's program is two hours long and he plays punk, new wave etc. Also lots of music from bands that influenced the Ramones and personally him. Go to Channel 33 / program here. (January 16, 2018)
- Marky Ramone had since mid 90's to 2000 band called Marky Ramone And The Intruders. I told first time in February, 2017, that Argentinean label Pinhead Records will release limited edition box set titled The Intruders Years And More. Now you can pre-order it from Pinhead Records' page. It include both Marky Ramone And The Intruders albums and as a bonus CD live album that is recorded in 2000.
Self-titled Marky Ramone And The Intruders debut album was released in 1996. Album has 13 songs. One song in that album is called Anxiety, what Ramones had released before in Mondo Bizarro (1992). Second Marky Ramone And The Intruders album The Answer To Your Problems album got released in July, 1999. That album was titled Don't Blame Me in South America. Lars Frederiksen (of Rancid) co-produced the album with Marky Ramone.
This new collection The Intruders Years And More include also small photo book that has 24 pages and poster (size is 50 centimeters and 30 centimers). Edition is limited to 1000 copies (numbered).
This my homepage is the most extensive source of Marky Ramone And The Intruders. See information here. I did lot updates of Marky Ramone And The Intruders in 1995-2000. (Updated: November 23, 2017)
- Marky Ramone's internet radio show on SiriusXM is now titled Marky Ramone's 1st Wave Blitzkrieg. Channel number is 33. Marky Ramone's 1st Wave Blitzkrieg is aired every other Tuesday at 8PM EST / 5PM PST and is rebroadcasted next Thursday at 11PM EST / 8PM PST. Marky had earlier Marky Ramone's Punk Rock Blitzkrieg radio show more than ten years on Sirius.
Click here to go to channel 33. (November 22, 2017)
- Marky Ramone does with his band Blitzkrieg tour in Australia and New Zealand in November-December, 2017. Then he has two shows in Indonesia and one in India. See more details here. (Updated: November 22, 2017)
- Marky Ramone will be for all three days of the sixth annual Comic Con at the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls, Canada, on June 2-4, 2017. Other guests include Peter Mayhew, Lee Meriwether, Seth Gilliam, Ken Kirzinger, Paul McGann and Tara Reid.
After that he will travel to Europe to play some shows. Like he will play at Klubi, Tampere, Finland on June 9, 2017, and at Nosturi, Helsinki, Finland, on June 10, 2017. (January 14, 2017)
- You has chance to buy limited edition drumsticks signed by Marky Ramone on Ebay. Marky wrote: "Check out my brand new, limited edition, 40th anniversary of punk rock drumsticks personally autographed by me."
Each pair of drumsticks will include one drumstick with his full autograph signature and one drumstick with his "MR" initials. Drumsticks available while supply lasts. Click here to buy drumsticks. Price is 80,39 US$. (November 22, 2016)
- Marky Ramone is taking part for few things at Alamo City Comic Con. It is at Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, TX, USA. Here are few details that I found:
1) October 29, 2016: After party at Bonham Exchange (411 Bonham St), San Antonio, TX, USA. Tickets are 35-300US$. Read more here.
Alamo City Comic Con promote event this way on their site: "Experience our first ever VIP Official Afterparty where you can party with celebs from ACCC. Appearances by Joey Fatone, A. J. McLean, William Zabka, Marky Ramone, Ralph Macchio & hosted by Jon Bernthal!"
And second thing.
2) You has chance to buy photo op, it cost 40 US$. Read more here.
October 28, 2016: 7:00PM Room 3.
October 29, 2016: 2:15PM Room 2.
October 30, 2016: 4:10PM Room 2. (October 19, 2016)
- On Tuesday, October 18, 2016, at 8:00PM (NYC) Marky Ramone will be a special guest DJ at The Django downstairs at The Roxy Hotel in NYC, USA, with supergroup SSHH featuring Sshh Liguz, Zak Starkey from The Who, Glen Matlock from the Sex Pistols and Clem Burke from Blondie (and Clem played two gigs with the Ramones after the Richie Ramone quit in 1987) (October 5, 2016)
- There is the cartoon exhibition of the Marky Ramone at the Callicore Gallery, Paris, France, on September 20, 2016. The production studio Callicore presents the exclusive pictures from the differents shorts films, and the originals art works. You will also find some sculptures, from the 3D printing that you could follow on live. (September 10, 2016)
- Marky Ramone has had many line-up's when he has toured around the world in last ten years. See all dates here.
Here are line-up's of Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg's tours in South America and Europe. Line-up in Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg's tour in South America (April-May, 2016):
- Marky Ramone: drums.
- Oscar Chinellato (of The Wardogs): singer.
- Marcelo Gallo aka Crazy Joe: guitar.
- Alejandro Tannen: bass.
There were violin players when they played Baby I Love You at Teatro Vorterix, Buenos Aires, Argentina, on May 14, 2016. I don't if same happened in some other show(s)?
AND LINE-UP in Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg's tour in Europe (June-July):
- Marky Ramone: drums
- Ken Stringfellow of The Posies and R.E.M.: singer.
- Captain Poon of The Gluecifer.: guitar
- Pere Cohete of The From Head To Toe and OVNI: bass.
Look set-list of show in Moscow here. (Updated: June 8, 2016)
RICHIE RAMONE NEWS: JANUARY 2009 - DECEMBER 2010
- Richie Ramone spoke to me few times of his book plans. And now it did happen, his book is out. It was released on November 27, 2018. Book is titled I Know Better Now: My Life Before, During, And After The Ramones. It has 304 pages. Publisher is Backbeat Books. You can order book from Amazon.com
or from
Amazon.co.uk
.Richie Ramone wrote I Know Better Now: My Life Before, During, And After The Ramones together with Peter Aaron who was active in punk and hardcore scene already in 1980's. Aaron is also wellknown journalist and writer. Aaron has created for example book titled If You Like the Ramones Here Are Over 200 Bands, CDs...
. Read more of Richie Ramone here.
Here is review of book written by Dave U. Hall.
Here is press release text of the I Know Better Now: My Life Before, During, And After The Ramones: "It's 1982 and the Ramones are in a gutter-bound spiral. Following a run of inconsistent albums and deep in the throes of internal tensions, the legendary quartet is about to crash and burn. Enter Richie Ramone. Then a 26-year-old from New Jersey named Richard Reinhardt, he's snapped up by the group to be their new drummer and instantly goes from the obscurity of the underground club scene to membership in the most famous punk-rock band of all time, revitalizing the pioneering outfit with his powerful, precise, and blindingly fast beats composing classic cuts like the menacing anthem "Somebody Put Something in My Drink" and becoming the only Ramones percussionist to sing lead vocals for the group. With the Ramones, he performs over five hundred shows at venues all around the world and records three storming studio albums before abruptly quitting the band and going deep underground. To most fans, this crucial figure in the band's history has remained a mystery, his tale untold. Until now. I Know Better Now: My Life Before, During, and After the Ramones is the firsthand, four-on-the-floor account of a life in rock 'n' roll and in one of its most influential acts straight from the sticks of the man who kept the beat." (Update: December 2, 2018).
- Chicago Pop Culture Convention is held at the Pheasant Run Mega Center in St. Charles, IL, USA on November 24-25, 2018. Richie Ramone and CJ Ramone are appearing at the convention in both days. Chicago Pop Culture Con is a mix of tv, movies, gaming, cosplay, comics, toys, publishers, artists, stars, sports memorabilia etc. related things. In addition to CJ and Richie, there is appearing also for example actor Butch Patrick who is perhaps best known for his role as Eddie Munster on the hit comedy television series The Munsters! (November 15, 2018).
- Richie Ramone and CJ Ramone will be appearing at the
Chiller Theatre Toy, Model And Film
Expo convention at the Hilton Parsippany hotel in Parsippany, New
Jersey, USA. Convention is on October 26-28, 2018. Other guests include
Jill St. John, Stefanie Powers, Robert Wagner, Bebe Buell, Robbie
Dupree and The Accelerators. Visit homepage of Chiller
Theathe. (Updated October 27, 2018).- Sin City Rejects is a punk rock band from Las Vegas, USA. Sin City Rejects debut album titled Death Of A Nation was published in August, 2018. Richie Ramone bashed out drums on the song (I Just Wanna) Waste Some Time With You. Other guests featured on Death Of A Nation are Johnny Kelly of Type O Negative and Anthony "Tiny Bubz" Biuso of the T.S.O.L. and The Dickies.
Sin City Rejects members are Scotty Griffin (vocals), Johnny Roxx (lead guitar), Rachel May (rhythm guitar) and Jason Green (bass). (August 26, 2018).
- Richie Ramone does with his band tour in Germany, Sweden and Finland in June-July. There are 19 shows. See dates here. Richie is playing drums and singing. Richie comes to front to sing around half of the songs. Ben Reagan is guitarist-drummer, Clare Misstake bassist and Glenn Gilbert guitarist. (Updated: June 12, 2018).
- The Last Time is Richie Ramone's new single. The new single released by Outro Records was drop on iTunes on April 19, 2018: click here to buy it / listen the sample.
The Last Time is written by Richie. It is recorded and mixed by Paul Roessler at the Kitten Robot Studios in Los Angeles, USA. The Last Time is mastered by Maor Appelbaum. Song will be available also as a bonus flexi in New Noise Magazine. Issue #40 comes out on May 1, 2018. Steve Pilace of Outro Records wrote me that they has some extra copies of flexis.
- If you buy 2 or more Outro Records' releases (7' or 12' or both) we'll include a Richie Ramone flexi for free, Steve wrote.
Buy records from here.
Outro Records is a vinyl-only subsidiary of DC-Jam Records. DC-Jam Records has published Richie Ramone's both albums. (April 21, 2018).
- First pressing of Richie Ramone's 7' single I Fix This / Pretty Poison
was published in three colors: black, yellow and blue vinyls. Yellow and
blue versions are real collector items in future, as there are only 100
copies on blue vinyl and 100 copies on yellow vinyl. Inserts in yellow
and blue copies are signed by Richie Ramone.Indie label Outro Records (USA) released a second pressing on red vinyl in August 2017. Label also released first pressing. Second pressing is available through web store, distribution and from Richie Ramone at his shows.
- The second pressing (of only 500 copies) can be identified by its red vinyl and small print Barcode (no sticker) on back of the sleeve. We also use this pressing for various Outro Records promotions, example: buy 2 Outro Records titles, get a red Richie Ramone 7' free, explained Steve Pilace who started Outro Records in early 2017.
If you make an order outside of USA, ask first of postage from Steve.
- There is a glitch on the web site that charges full price for every record (unless the exact same color is ordered) if someone orders more than one Outro release international, I reimburse some money back until the glitch is removed, he told.
Outro Records is a vinyl-only subsidiary of DC-Jam Records. DC-Jam Records has published Richie Ramone's both albums.
Both songs I Fix This and Pretty Poison are from Richie Ramone's second solo album Cellophone. See great video of I Fix This here. (Updated: October 11, 2017)
- Richie Ramone is a guest drummer on The Anderson Stingrays single titled Summerville Beach. The Anderson Stingrays are a Ramones-influenced punk rock band from Rochester, NY, USA. You can see video of Summerville Beach here.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Aaron Stingray tells big thanks to Aaron Meunier for making them into the Super Mario Bros. 3 world in a video. I asked more about The Anderson Stingrays and song from Aaron Stingray. He formed a band with his brother.
- With an album of songs recorded we would gain the support of local musician veteran to our area, Frank DeBlase and be guests on his Sunday Night Radio Show. Mr. De Blasé and I would one night get together to write some songs together. With our love of the Ramones, we placed the It's Alive LP on the Hi-Fi and listen to the fast-paced live recording that would lead to a little song called Summerville Beach, which is in fact a local beach in Rochester, NY, Aaron tells.
I also asked of their co-operation with Richie.
- In 2014, I heard Richie Ramone was releasing a solo album and that there was to be a tour promoting the release. Checking the tour dates, it was to my surprise that Richie was going to be coming to our city and best of all they were looking for a local band to open the show. I finally got a hold of the the promoter who gave us the honor of opening the show. The night Richie came to Rochester, I didn't get to meet him until after a blazing set of classic Ramones songs from albums from the first three releases and albums he appeared in 80's on along with new solo material.
Richie and Aaron had a long chat.
- We talked for an hour about music and we got on the subject of possibly working with Richie on a recording. After that tour, I E-mailed Richie a few demos, it came down to recording a single and we decided on Summerville Beach.
Aaron has been a Ramones fan for 17 years. He got into the Ramones around the time Joey Ramone passed away in 2001.
- One day I was in my brother Matt's room and I discovered the Ramones Anthology album. I put the disc into the player and with the three chord progression of Johnny Ramone's guitar on Blitzkrieg Bop blasted into my life like lightning. It was the best first experience ever. I was hooked by the time on the CD when I heard Ed Stasium's mix of Rock And Roll High School. I was playing air guitar in my bedroom after that energy coursed through my veins, wrote Aaron Stingray. (June 16, 2017)
- Joey Ramone Birthday Bash is also in this year, of course in May 19, 2017. Event is at The Studio at Webster Hall. Birthday Bash is a memorial event to Joey on his birthday (May 19). This is 17th Joey Ramone Birthday Bash.
Joey's brother Mickey Leigh explained of his plans about the evening.
- Since this year is the 40th anniversary of the second and third Ramones albums Leave Home and Rocket To Russia, we have two albums to celebrate and we'll have two 'house bands' playing every song on both albums, Mickey explains.
Clem Burke (Elvis Ramone) will play drums, Andy Shernoff (The Dictators, Master Plan etc.) bass, Ramones' producer Ed Stasium guitar and Walt Stack (The Bullys) guitar when is played Leave Home album. Ed Stasium did producer and musician works for both albums.
- Then, to play the tracks of Rocket To Russia, we'll get a special performance from Richie Ramone and and CJ Ramone, Mickey adds.
I noticed that CJ Ramone has that night also solo show in Philadelphia. Show is part of his album (American Beauty) release tour. Distance between venues is around 100 miles, so it might be hard to do both at the same night? But he will play in both events.
- CJ will play the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash early with Richie and Mickey. Then we leave for Philadelphia, confirmed CJ's manager Gene Frawley to me in April 1, 2017.
Frawley worked years for the Ramones in 1980-90's, as a security guy, driver etc. and of course he was their close friend.
Also David Peel And The Lower East Side, The Cuts, The Stitches and Punk Pipers (as always) will perform at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2017. Night is hosted by John Holmstrom, Debra "Raffles" Trizzini, and Pete Aschner. Also there will be famous photographer Paul Zone, James Boland etc.
Ticket is 30 US$ and you can buy it from here.
As always before all proceeds were benefit to The Joey Ramone Foundation For Lymphoma Research. (Updated: April 1, 2017).
- Richie Ramone and CJ Ramone played for the first full show
together! That happened at El Teatro De Flores in Buenos Aires,
Argentina on February 4, 2017. Same stage CJ Ramone and Richie Ramone had shared shortly once before, when gentlemen performed at live at the 60th Anniversary Mosrite Guitar Party at the Hard Rock Cafe in Memphis, TN, USA on July 14, 2012. Read more of it here.
But NOW at the El Teatro De Flores they played full show on February 4, 2017. I spoke of this with Richie in Melbourne in October, 2016, and this was secret until December 19. That day, February 4, was exact 30th anniversary day of first Ramones concert ever in Argentina which happened in Wednesday 4th of February in 1987 at Estadio Obras. Ramones kept performing at this venue until 1995.
- That was Richie Ramone's and Dee Dee Ramone's only appareance with the Ramones in Argentina. By the time the band came for a second time in Argentina in April of 1991, Marky Ramone had re-joined and CJ Ramone had replaced Dee Dee. It was one of Richie's last concerts with The Ramones, as part of the Animal Boy tour and right before the release of Halfway To Sanity album. Richie did save the band back in the day and is re-gaining his name in the Ramones history by doing great new music, told in January Mariano Asch who was behind of this special concert.
As we know, Richie is only Ramones member alive of those who played in first Argentinean show.
- Since Richie was the drummer then he was the main person in this very special celebration. He performed together on stage for the very first time in an open-public concert with CJ Ramone on the bass. El Teatro Flores was the venue chosen for this one-off event, only one night not to be repeated, Asch underscored.
They performed exact same set list than what was the Ramones set list in most of shows in Animal Boy tour in 1987. Together with Richie and CJ were playing guitarist Mariano Martinez (Attaque 77) and singer Seba Expulsado of Expulsados.
- Attaque 77 is the main punk band in Argentina, who opened for the Ramones in 1994 and 1996. Martinez was also in charge of two historical nights to honour Joey Ramone in 2001 at legendary local venue Cemento. Sebastian is first and most associated to the Ramones in Argentina, he looks and sings like Joey Ramone, and he has sung on Marky Ramone's band touring all over the world. His band Expulsados has opened for CJ, Marky and Richie on their various concerts in Argentina, explained Mariano Asch. (Updated: February 6, 2017)
- Richie Ramone has done many radio interviews in his latest tours. I will link here one good one which you can listen also on archive of radio station named Fubar Radio. It is 28 minutes long. Listen it here. Richie's interview is in final part of radio show and it comes after is played I Fix This from his second solo album Cellophane. (December 19, 2016)
- Richie Ramone's debut solo album named Entitled (read more here) was released worldwide by DC-Jam Records on October 8, 2013. Richie's second solo album Cellophane will be released worldwide on August 5, 2016, expect in English site of Amazon release date of Cellophane
is August 12 and it was surprising but great that people got chance to
buy
album already at Richie's shows in June-July, 2016.
Record release radio party is on
www.stenchradio.com at 7PM on
August 4, 2016 (Los Angeles time zone). Label of Cellophane is DC-Jam
Records. Read more of Cellophane here and see
tracklisting.
It will be published as a CD and MP3. Buy Cellophane from
Amazon.com
here 
or from
Amazon.co.uk.Cellophane has nine songs. First single and video of album was I Fix This. It got released on June 24, 2016. See great video here. Singer-drummer Richie Ramone, bassist Clare MissTake, guitarist-drummer Ben Wah Reagan and guitarist Ronnie Simmons are on it for example in a bowling center and in Japan.
All songs on Cellophane are written in last few years expect Pretty Poison goes to Richie's Ramones' years in 1980's and then is a cover of Depeche Mode's song Enjoy The Silence.
- Pretty Poison I had back in the Ramones days that never went on a record so we recorded that. That's the only one that I wrote back in the 80's, Richie referred to songs in a Cellophane.
Enjoy The Silence is originally from Depeche Mode's album Violator (1990). Depeche Mode is English electronic music band and Enjoy The Silence sold gold in the USA and Germany and it won Best British Single at the 1991 BRIT Awards.
Some more information of Cellophane and its history. In November 2015, I asked from Richie Ramone if He, bassist Clare MissTake, guitarist Alex Kane and guitarist-drummer Ben Wah Reagan are already going to the studio? - We are writing and will record a new album in January, 2016, at Red Bull Studios in Los Angeles. I have written songs with all the band, and other people. We start touring again in February, Richie wrote to me in October 30, 2015. Recordings happened as planned but guitarist Alex Kane played last show with Richie on March 6, 2016. New Guitarist Ronnie Simmons played first show with Richie, Clare and Ben on April 22, 2016. Read more of Cellophane here and see tracklisting. Buy Cellophane from Amazon.com here
or from
Amazon.co.uk. (Updated: August 1, 2016)- Richie Ramone wrote to me that new guitarist in his band is Ronnie Simmons. Ronnie is born in Sydney, Australia, and lives now in Los Angeles. He plays also in Frankie + The Studs. Ronnie's first show with Richie Ramone, Clare Misstake and Ben Wah Reagan is at Tiki Bar in Costa Mesa, CA, USA, on April 22, 2016. And then they head to Australia and Japan. See dates here.
Richie's previous guitarist Alex Kane played last show with Richie, Clare and Ben at Grindhouse in Padova, Italy, on March 6, 2016, where was final show of their European tour. First shows Alex Kane played with Richie in January 2014. Alex Kane is playing guitar now in a hard rock band Little Caesar and in a Starz Central. Also he does producer works. Little Caesar will be playing in Europe in May, 2016. (April 21, 2016)
CJ RAMONE NEWS: JANUARY 2016 - DECEMBER 2018:
- Chicago Pop Culture Convention is held at the Pheasant Run Mega Center in St. Charles, IL, USA on November 24-25, 2018. Richie Ramone and CJ Ramone are appearing at the convention in both days. Chicago Pop Culture Con is a mix of tv, movies, gaming, cosplay, comics, toys, publishers, artists, stars, sports memorabilia etc. related things. In addition to CJ and Richie, there is appearing also for example actor Butch Patrick who is perhaps best known for his role as Eddie Munster on the hit comedy television series The Munsters! (November 15, 2018).
- Richie Ramone and CJ Ramone will be appearing at the
Chiller Theatre Toy, Model And Film
Expo convention at the Hilton Parsippany hotel in Parsippany, New
Jersey, USA. Convention is on October 26-28, 2018. Other guests include
Jill St. John, Stefanie Powers, Robert Wagner, Bebe Buell, Robbie
Dupree and The Accelerators. Visit homepage of Chiller
Theathe. (Updated October 27, 2018).- CJ Ramone is doing with his band a tour in South America in November - December 2, 2018. See dates here. (Updated: October 6, 2018).
- Steve Soto passed away on June 27, 2018. Rest In Peace. Soto was
wonderful person and of course great artist. Steve Soto was active in
punk and hardcore scene already in late 70's. He is remembered from
bands like Adolescents, Agent Orange and 22 Jacks. Soto died peacefully
in his sleep at the age of 54. Steve Soto did play for years in CJ Ramone's band. Steve Soto also plays guitar and sing backvocals on CJ's albums American Beauty (2017), Last Chance To Dance (2014) and Reconquista (2013). Soto also did some producer works for those albums and wrote wrote some songs together with CJ Ramone, for example Won't Stop Swinging to Last Chance To Dance (2014) album. CJ Ramone wrote following text of Steve Soto after sad news.
- Not a whole lot of people I've met in my life that I could call up anytime, anywhere, any condition and they would help. My brother Steve Soto was one of the few. I owe most of what I've done post Ramones to Steve. He put the band together to record all three of my releases and toured with me for 5 years. He called in favors from some big SOCAL players to help me out when I was just coming back into music. He organized the record deal we got with Fat Wreck Chords, and always took time to talk with me when things were tough. I could relax on stage with Steve behind me, his playing was as solid as it gets, and his voice boomed over mine when I was burnt and had no voice left. I did my best to repay him in anyway I could and I hope he knew how much I appreciated, loved, and respected him. I'm going to miss him. Rock on my brother. See you on the other side, wrote CJ Ramone.
We can remember Soto also through special DVD. CJ (vocals and bass), Steve Soto (guitar-backvocals), Dan Root (guitar-backvocals) and John Frochaux (drums) was line-up when they played in Cuba in September 2015. CJ Ramone and guys were first American punk rock band to play in Cuba! Of that trip was released DVD titled CJ Ramone: Havana GoGo.
In last couple of years line-up of CJ Ramone and his band was this: CJ Ramone, Steve Soto, Dan Root and Pete Sosa (drums). For years before that main drummer was Michael Stamberg.
Line-up has changed many times. Like I got to see following line-up: CJ Ramone, Josh Blackway aka Jonny Huntington (guitar-backvocals), Nate Sander (guitar-backvocals) and Chris Eller (drums) in Italy in 2015. Year earlier I got to see live at Le Pouzza Fest, Les Foufounes Electriques in Montreal, QC, Canada and at Casey's Billiards, Pittsfield, MA, USA in May, 2014 line-up in following format: CJ, Steve, Dan and Michael Wildwood (drums). Also I for example got to see CJ Ramone, Steve Soto and Michael Stamberg to play as trio at Edone in Bergamo, Italy in July 2012. Photo in right is taken there. See picture story of my trip to that show. (Updated: August 6, 2018).
- CJ Ramone is selling many items now in RRAuction. Bidding closes on July 19, 2018. Many of them are really special ones. One of them is CJ's and Dee Dee Ramone's tour-used bass cabinet with original Ramones road case. That cabinet was purchased in April 1983 and was one of the SVT bass cabinets used on stage by Dee Dee until his departure. CJ then used the amp until the band broke up in 1996.
CJ is also selling his signature Mosrite bass. The unique body style of this bass was custom-designed by Mosrite to resemble Johnny Ramone's famous Mosrite guitar. One auction is of Dee Dee handwritten lyrics for three songs from the Ramones: Mondo Bizarro's songs Poison Heart, Main Man and Strength To Endure. From CJ's collection are now in RRAuction also for example many tour itineraries, backstage passes and posters etc. In all there is 75 auction of his items.
Now (mid-July, 2018) in RRAuction are also many other Ramones related items. They do include Dee Dee Ramone's and Paul Kostabi's collaborative painting titled Happy Birthday and guitar signed by Dee Dee. Chris Lamy of The Jabbers (formerly GG Allin & The Jabbers) is selling some items. They do include few rare single releases: test pressing of Bonzo Goes To Bitburg / Daytime Dilemma 7' single and department store 7' single of Sheena Is A Punk Rocker / I Don't Care. (July 12, 2018).
- CJ Ramone had some special shows in July: one together with The Manges and one together with Me First And The Gimme Gimmes. CJ Ramone and The Manges will play together at the Punk Rock Raduno in Bergamo, Italy. Festival is four days: July 12-15. CJ and The Manges punkrock on July 12. Other bands playing at the Punk Rock Raduno include The Queers, Dan Vapid And The Cheats, Patsy's Rats and Steve Adamyk Band.
The Manges is really great Italian old school punk rock band from La Spezia, formed in 1993. In late 2015 was published by Striped Records CJ Ramone / The Manges 7' split single. Also The Manges was support band to CJ Ramone band in two Italian dates in December 2015.
So another special show CJ has with the Me First And The Gimme Gimmes. They will play at the '77 Montreal festival in Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal, Canada, on July 27, 2018. CJ will be playing bass. Me First And The Gimme Gimmes is pretty legendary band founded in 1995. Other bands at the '77 Montreal include Rise Against, Suicidal Tendencies, The Rezillos, L7 and Sick Of It All. (Updated: June 28, 2018)
- CJ Ramone wrote he is teaming up with his buddies on April 30, 2018. Then is a special edition of Vinyl Night at the Long Ireland Beer Company in Riverhead, NYC. CJ Ramone will be there hanging out and talking of music. You can also buy there his latest album American Beauty and get it signed. Address of Long Ireland Beer Company is: 817 Pulaski St, Riverhead, New York 11901, USA. (April 25, 2018)
- Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh confirmed first details of Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2018 in March 20, 2018. CJ Ramone and Richie Ramone will play on it. Event got got sold-out on March 31, 2018.
Birthday Bash is a memorial event to Joey on his birthday (May 19). This is 18th Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. As you know, we lost Joey Ramone on April 15, 2001. After that Joey's and Mickey's mother Charlotte Lesher (1927-2007) and Mickey started to yearly organize Birthday Bashes. In this event different musicians are playing in a honor of Joey and also we has heard many speeches.
Here is information Mickey wrote of Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2018: "Happy to officially announce the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2018! Benefitting the Joey Ramone Foundation for Lymphoma Research, this year's event will take place at The Bowery Electric and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of the Ramones Road To Ruin album, with The Love Triangle featuring Richie Ramone, CJ Ramone and Mickey Leigh performing the songs of the entire album (Road To Ruin), plus many more special guests to be announced!", wrote Mickey. Advance tickets cost 40US$. So Joey Ramone Birthday Bash got sold-out on March 31. (Updated: April 12, 2018)
- Big Apple Comic Convention is the premier boutique comic and popular culture show at the Penn Plaza Pavilion in New York, USA, on April 14-15, 2018. CJ Ramone is celebrity guest at the Big Apple Comic Convention in both days.
This classic style convention brings together fans of all kinds of entertainment from all walks of life. Through the central theme of comic books, the convention features a large range of pop culture elements including science fiction/ fantasy, film/ television, cosplay, animation, anime, manga, toys, horror, collectible card games, video games, web comics, and fantasy novels. Including panels with celebrity and artist guests, the Big Apple Comic Con also features two main event Costume Contests, one each day! So CJ Ramone is one of artist guests. Other guests include Wilson Cruz (Star Trek: Discovery, My So-Called Life etc.), Sherilyn Fenn (Twin Peaks, Shameless etc.) and Jenel Stevens (Black Panther, Luke Cage etc.).
Founded and owned by comic book maven Michael .Mike Carbo. Carbonaro in 1996, the show started at the auditorium of St Paul.s Church on 10th Ave. in Manhattan, NYC, USA. For over a decade the show has been at the Hotel Pennsylvania on 33rd St. and 7th Avenue across from Madison Square Garden. For further information and to purchase tickets, go to https://www.bigapplecc.com (April 1, 2018)
- CJ Ramone will be attending the screening of the new movie Bomb City at the Globe-News Center in Amarillo, Texas, USA, on January 23, 2018. It is screened at 7PM. Bomb City is based to this true story: on December 12, 1997, 19-year-old punk musician Brian Theodore Deneke was killed by 17-year-old jock Dustin Campin a deliberate hit and run attack after a brawl broke out between the punk rockers and the "white-hatters," a group of football jocks known for sporting white baseball caps. That happened in Amarillo.
- Camp never served a day in jail for the murder in a complete miscarriage of justice. After the movie I'll be moderating a Q&A and a session with the film makers, members of the cast, as well Brian's family, CJ Ramone told.
That they they will also raise awareness for anti-bullying, oppression and crisis management.
Director of 95 minutes long Bomb City is Jameson Brooks. He also wrote movie together with Sheldon Chick. Actors include Dave Davis, Glenn Morshower, Logan Huffman, Lorelei Linklater, Eddie Hassell and Henry Knotts. Read more of movie here. (January 16, 2018)
- Release date of CJ Ramone's third solo album was March 17, 2017. It is named American Beauty and it has 12 songs. CJ Ramone started writing new songs in April, 2016, and he hit the studio on May 2, 2016.
- In the studio from May 2-14, 2016, to record a new album. Steve Soto, Dan Root and Pete Sosa will be on the record, CJ Ramone wrote to me in April, 2016 .
American Beauty was recorded at the Buzzbomb Studios in Orange, California, USA, with producer Paul Miner (H2O, New Found Glory etc.).
I asked from CJ if label is same, Fat Wreck Chords, that released CJ's previous album Last Chance To Dance (2014).
- Yes Jari, it will be on Fat Wreck Chords, CJ replied in 2016.
You can buy CD, LP or digital version of American Beauty here
. American Beauty was sixth most sold CD at
Interpunk.com in second week of April.In Argentina was released by Pinhead Records version that has CD and DVD Havana Go Go.
Record release show was at the Bowery Electric in New York City, NY, USA, on March 17, 2017. Album relelease tour started in the USA in April and later it continue to Europe etc. See all dates here.
CJ explains in Fat Wreck Chords' press release about songwriting process: "I actually had a whole batch of songs for this record that I had been writing over the past couple of years, but things changed so much in such a short period of time, and when I sat down and listened to the songs, they seemed to be irrelevant to how I was thinking now," CJ admits. "I wrote this entire record in just two weeks, sitting in my basement. That is very unusual for me."
First single Moral To The Story was released on January 25, 2017. You can listen it here. It was only audio release (no video).
Also opening track Let's Go got published as a digital single on YouTube, listen it here.
Song named Tommy's Gone is a delicate, 98-second acoustic tribute to Tommy Ramone. Closing track is a cover of Tom Waits' Pony. Read more of album here. (Updated: April 13, 2017)
- Joey Ramone Birthday Bash is also in this year, of course in May 19, 2017. Event is at The Studio at Webster Hall. Birthday Bash is a memorial event to Joey on his birthday (May 19). This is 17th Joey Ramone Birthday Bash.
Joey's brother Mickey Leigh explained of his plans about the evening.
- Since this year is the 40th anniversary of the second and third Ramones albums Leave Home and Rocket To Russia, we have two albums to celebrate and we'll have two 'house bands' playing every song on both albums, Mickey explains.
Clem Burke (Elvis Ramone) will play drums, Andy Shernoff (The Dictators, Master Plan etc.) bass, Ramones' producer Ed Stasium guitar and Walt Stack (The Bullys) guitar when is played Leave Home album. Ed Stasium did producer and musician works for both albums.
- Then, to play the tracks of Rocket To Russia, we'll get a special performance from Richie Ramone and and CJ Ramone, Mickey adds.
I noticed that CJ Ramone has that night also solo show in Philadelphia. Show is part of his album (American Beauty) release tour. Distance between venues is around 100 miles, so it might be hard to do both at the same night? But he will play in both events.
- CJ will play the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash early with Richie and Mickey. Then we leave for Philadelphia, confirmed CJ's manager Gene Frawley to me in April 1, 2017.
Frawley worked years for the Ramones in 1980-90's, as a security guy, driver etc. and of course he was their close friend.
Also David Peel And The Lower East Side, The Cuts, The Stitches and Punk Pipers (as always) will perform at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2017. Night is hosted by John Holmstrom, Debra "Raffles" Trizzini, and Pete Aschner. Also there will be famous photographer Paul Zone, James Boland etc.
Ticket is 30 US$ and you can buy it from here.
As always before all proceeds were benefit to The Joey Ramone Foundation For Lymphoma Research. (Updated: April 1, 2017).
- Richie Ramone and CJ Ramone played for the first full show
together! That happened at El Teatro De Flores in Buenos Aires,
Argentina on February 4, 2017. Same stage CJ Ramone and Richie Ramone had shared shortly once before, when gentlemen performed at live at the 60th Anniversary Mosrite Guitar Party at the Hard Rock Cafe in Memphis, TN, USA on July 14, 2012. Read more of it here.
But NOW at the El Teatro De Flores they played full show on February 4, 2017. I spoke of this with Richie in Melbourne in October, 2016, and this was secret until December 19. That day, February 4, was exact 30th anniversary day of first Ramones concert ever in Argentina which happened in Wednesday 4th of February in 1987 at Estadio Obras. Ramones kept performing at this venue until 1995.
- That was Richie Ramone's and Dee Dee Ramone's only appareance with the Ramones in Argentina. By the time the band came for a second time in Argentina in April of 1991, Marky Ramone had re-joined and CJ Ramone had replaced Dee Dee. It was one of Richie's last concerts with The Ramones, as part of the Animal Boy tour and right before the release of Halfway To Sanity album. Richie did save the band back in the day and is re-gaining his name in the Ramones history by doing great new music, told in January Mariano Asch who was behind of this special concert.
As we know, Richie is only Ramones member alive of those who played in first Argentinean show.
- Since Richie was the drummer then he was the main person in this very special celebration. He performed together on stage for the very first time in an open-public concert with CJ Ramone on the bass. El Teatro Flores was the venue chosen for this one-off event, only one night not to be repeated, Asch underscored.
They performed exact same set list than what was the Ramones set list in most of shows in Animal Boy tour in 1987. Together with Richie and CJ were playing guitarist Mariano Martinez (Attaque 77) and singer Seba Expulsado of Expulsados.
- Attaque 77 is the main punk band in Argentina, who opened for the Ramones in 1994 and 1996. Martinez was also in charge of two historical nights to honour Joey Ramone in 2001 at legendary local venue Cemento. Sebastian is first and most associated to the Ramones in Argentina, he looks and sings like Joey Ramone, and he has sung on Marky Ramone's band touring all over the world. His band Expulsados has opened for CJ, Marky and Richie on their various concerts in Argentina, explained Mariano Asch. (Updated: February 6, 2017)
- Great band named Flogging Molly are doing their annual St. Patrick's Day Weekend cruise on March 10-13. CJ Ramone band is playing on it. Also for example are playing Flogging Molly (of course), Devotchka, Bouncing Souls and Voodoo Glow Skulls.
Cruise is named Salty Dog Cruise. It off the coast of Miami, USA, and cruise goes in 2nd day to Coco Bay in Bahamas, in 3rd day to Nassau in Bahamas and in 4th day it returns to Miami. Read more here. (January 28, 2017)
- There is a Motörhead tribute night at The Bowery Electric, New York, NY, USA, on February 14, 2016. Night is titled Sally Can't Dance and there are on stage for example CJ Ramone, Todd Youth of Danzig and Murphy's Law, John Joseph of Cro-Mags, Bob Pantella, Phil Caivano and Dave Wyndorf of The Monster Magnet, Eric Arce Goat of The Misfits etc. Tickets are only 10 US$ and show starts at 10PM. (February 13, 2016)
- CJ Ramone with his band were first American punk rock band to play in
Cuba! CJ was invited to play there! Cuba and the United States restored
diplomatic relations on July 20, 2015, which had been severed in 1961
during the Cold War. Really exciting.Shows were on September 12 AND 13, 2015, The Habanarte Art And Music Festival, Salon Rosado De La Tropical, Havana, Cuba. AND also at Maxim Rock or at Casa de Alba, in Havanna, Cuba. I asked CJ Ramone to confirm me a line-up in Cuba.
CJ Ramone: singer-bassist.
Steve Soto: guitar-backvocals.
Dan Root: guitar-backvocals.
John Frochaux, drums.
Steve has played before for example in The Adolescents, Agent Orange and 22 Jacks, Dan in The Adolescents and Pedro in the Street Dogs. John has played Lucy Fernandez.
There was a campaign to raise money to get CJ there, as they were confirmed in advance, they were not payed for the shows or the travel expenses. And there was recorded an DVD. February 5, 2016, was confirmed DVD is ready soon: "We are happy to announce that we are nearing the final cutting stages of the film, we should be wrapping the post production phase very soon! Once we this is all wrapped up we will be sending download links to everybody that purchased either a physical copy (bundled or individual) or a "Digi-download" of the DVD.", wrote campaign manager John Frochaux on February 5, 2016.
Click here to read details and what CJ wrote.
Here is a story and details written by CJ:
"I've been to a lot of places and seen a lot of things, but I recently was offered a real once in a life time chance. I have been asked to go to Cuba to play the Habanarte Art and Music Festival in Havana on September 12 as well as another show on the 13th.
I will be the first American punk to play in Cuba!!! Since the Ramones were the first punk rock band, I think it is perfect that I will be the first in.
As this is considered a "cultural exchange" we will not be payed for the shows or the travel expenses. That is where you guy's come in! We need to raise $15,000 for flights, baggage overages for our gear, camera rentals, and production expenses. This is your opportunity to be a part of Punkrock history by helping us to get there!!! We're offering some really great stuff for your support, including getting your name on the credits of the documentary we will be filming of the trip, one of a kind Cj Ramone Cuba tour shirts, and I will even be offering up the Fender Precision bass I will be playing on the tour which I'll autograph! Want to be listed as EXECUTIVE PRODUCER? You can get that!!!
I've been down the crowd funding road before with the successful release of my first Cj Ramone solo record Reconquista so I know how it goes and what it takes! The perks I offered were unique and I shipped 100% of those packages. This time I'm using a service to produce and ship everything to get it all to our supporters in a timely manner!!!
Want to be part of it but you're short on funds, Indiegogo has tools that will help you to help us by spreading the word!!! So come on and be part of Punkrock history!!!
Thanks for your support!!! Cj Ramone." Update, only after few days goal 15 000$ was reached. Dave Darrow from Toronto was the one who bought bass that CJ put on campaign (price of bass was 3500$). Also Darrow was the one who bought credit of "executive producer of DVD" (price was 5000$). About bass was informed: "To do the Ramones' legacy proper justice, CJ picked the exact model that Dee Dee Ramone used." (Updated: February 6, 2016)
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