Our beloved Joey did really many different projects, before he passed away April 15, 2001. Also there are many things and news related to him after he passed away:
- Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh wrote at Joeyramone.com in December, 2008 that it looks like there will be a second Joey Ramone solo album released before Christmas 2009. Advance tracklisting and more infos here. (Updated: December 26, 2008)
- Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh wrote on September 28, 2008 how on September 7, a 28 year old man tried to steal the Joey Ramone Place street sign. The criminal was caught. Mickey Leigh wrote on October 20, 2008 that Joey Ramone Place sign is now back. It is now across Bowery, instead of across 2nd St. See new photo and Read more infos here. (Updated: October 20, 2008)
- From the Dead Boys was released Return Of The Living Dead Boys - Halloween Night 1986 DVD by MVD in 2008. As the title suggests, DVD documents a Dead Boys reunion concert from October 1986. Dead Boys played at first in 1976-1979 and they became close with the Ramones members. Founding members are: Stiv Bators (RIP), Cheetah Chrome, Jimmy Zero, Jeff Magnum and Johnny Blitz. Joey Ramone made a short introduction in this show in October 1986 and it is also on this Return Of The Living Dead Boys - Halloween Night 1986 DVD. (October 3, 2008)
- Like you've read many times from my homepage etc., The Independents was one of Joey Ramone's favourite bands and he was also their manager. The Independents are releasing their new album Do It Again on October 14, 2008. They are taking pre-orders now and for the first 1000 copies they are including a free poster. Do order here. The Independents are touring at the moment, see dates in their news or in their their MySpace (September 9, 2008)
- There was Joey Ramone Memory Birthday Bash at the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, NYC on May 19, 2008. Read here report of my trip to San Diego, Tijuana and New York/ Joey Ramone Birthday Bash.
You got chance to buy tickets from Ticketmaster site. Price of the ticket was 23.50 US$. Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh was again main organisator of the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. He wrote to me an E-mail that Richie Ramone will play at the Bash on May 19, 2008. Richie Ramone played at the Bash also in 2006. Sadly a bit later arrived info that Richie Ramone had to cancel his appearance.
Tommy Ramone confirmed for me on March 31, 2008 that he or Uncle Monk (band of Tommy and Claudia Tienan) doesn't play this year at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. Uncle Monk was touring then elsewhere. Also Marky was touring elsewhere and CJ had other schedules. Mary Weiss, lead singer of the Shangri-Las, was one artist who was performing at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. Also Manitoba's Wild Kingdom reunited for a short set. Richard Lloyd And The SufiMonkeys did a 20 minute set in honor of Joey. The Independents, LES Stitches, Semi Precious Weapons, Local H, Charm School, Rachel Newman, Walter Lure, Cheetah Chrome, Jean Beauvoir, Jesse Malin, Bobby Steele, Al Maddy, Ivan Julian and as a MC's Little Steven, Matt Pinfield etc. were there to honor Joey with their appearances. So you can read here report of my trip to San Diego, Tijuana and New York/ Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. (Updated: May 29, 2008)
- Stay Thirsty magazine was one of the sponsors of the 2007 Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. They added to their site review of the night, click here to read and see it. Sarah L. Myers did for this same issue (June 2007) also for example an exclusive interview with Joey's brother Mickey Leigh, interview with Jimmy Webb of the Trash And Vaudeville etc. Stay Thirsty is offering an Stop song Jerk for download! Stop is Mickey Leigh's band. Click here to enter main page of Stay Thirsty. (Updated: June 22, 2007)
- Our dear Joey Ramone was celebrating his 56th birthday on May 19, 2007. In this year day (May 19) was Saturday. Memory event did go on even Joey's and Mickey Leigh's loved mother Charlotte Lesher passed away in January, 2007. The seventh Joey Ramone Birthday Bash took place again at famed New York City venue Irving Plaza. Tommy Ramone was performing. So many fans would have loved to see Richie Ramone playing also again. He did "comeback" in last year at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. Richie Ramone was coming again, but due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts, Richie was unable to appear. Elvis Ramone was also there (better known as Clem Burke. Clem played two gigs as a Elvis Ramone in the Ramones after the Richie Ramone quit in 1987). Read more infos here. Tickets were 25US$. Event was sold-out! (Updated: May 20, 2007)
- I also thinked that this piece of news is good to add here. A while ago Ronnie Spector and the Ronnettes finally got inducted to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Ronnie was very nice in her acceptance speech, and made a special point of thanking: "My friend and producer, Joey Ramone.", to much applause. (April 11, 2007)
- Like you've read many times from my homepage etc., The Independents was one of Joey's favourite bands and he was also their manager. The Independents started their European tour on February 8, 2007. They're playing in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Austria... Go and check them out, and feel Joey's spirit...! See dates from their homepage, click here. In addition to the list there's show also at the Waterfront in Rotterdam, Netherlands on February 15, 2007. (February 8, 2007)
- "January 28, 2007 - Sometime last night, Joey's mother Charlotte
Lesher suffered a heart attack and passed away. She was 80 years old and
showed no signs of her years, whatsoever. She is survived by her
beloved son, Mickey Leigh. In lieu of cards or flowers, please
consider making a donation to the Joey Ramone Foundation for Lymphoma
Research: P.O. Box 1107 Cooper Station, NY, NY 10276.", was told in
official statement.... It's hard to
find words now..., Joey's mother Charlotte was so lovely and
warm-hearted lady. It was a pleasure for me to get to know with Her.
And also visit with Her and Mickey (Joey's brother) Joey's apartment
etc. I got honour to meet with Charlotte in many occasions. I know
that many of you fans knows that she really was warm-hearted lady.
Charlotte, You're angels with Joey now. Mickey, condolences for You and
lot of strength.I took that photo of Charlotte + of my friends David Kelly and Laura Brown at The Joey Ramone Birthday Bash Art Extravaganza in New York in May, 2005. Exhibition was at the CBGB's Gallery. There was around 30 paintings/ art piece, mostly all of them were about Joey. One of them is attached in bigger size to the photo. Rest In Peace Charlotte. (January 29, 2007)
- Manager-producer Rory Rosegarten is doing a movie about Joey and the Ramones. It's based to the authorized bio, I Slept With Joey Ramone, of the Joey written by Joey's brother Mickey Leigh and punk chronicler Legs McNeil. Rosegarten also negotiated a deal with the Joey's mother Charlotte Lesher, who is the executor of Ramone's estate. The family has given him access to the band's raucous tunes. Book is not out yet. Mickey and Legs has been doing it with time several years. (October 23, 2006)
- Ronnie Spector released in May her new record The Last Of The Rock Stars. It include You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory cover featuring our Joey Ramone from the She Talks To Rainbow CDEP. Also The Last Of The Rock Stars has Ramones cover Here Today, Gone Tomorrow. Ronnie recorded of it with her friends a bit surprising, but good version. As well for example Ramones producer Daniel Rey, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and Patti Smith are on CD. Booklet is great and it has lot infos and photos from Ronnie's musical career. One photo is of Joey and Ronnie taken at the Continental, NYC. Ronnie also says thanks to Joey following way: "Heartfelt thanks to Joey Ramone for the confidence and courage... who lit the fuse to get this started... you were always there for me."( Updated June 14, 2006)
- Next Joey Ramone Memory Birthday Bash is at Irving Plaza, NYC on May 19, 2006. Doors are open at 8PM. See more infos here. (Updated May 10, 2006)
- In addition to the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash, this year there's two separate photograph exhibit/sales to raise money for Lymphoma research. One will be at the Morrison Hotel Gallery and feature, solely, the work of Bob Gruen. There will be an opening on May 20, at their new 116 Prince Street 2nd floor location.
The other will be at CBGB's Gallery on May 12-13 and will feature, contributions from George DuBose, David Godlis, Arturo Vega, John Nikolai, Danny Fields, Patty Heffley, George Seminara....; vintage Ramones photos from Tom Hearn; offerings from JoeyRamone.com visitors Maggie St. Thomas and Josie Monserrat, and many, many other great, well known photographers, and some candid, casual family/home shots as well. On May 12, it will start at 7. (Updated: May 10, 2006)
- Worn Free is expanding on their vintage soft T-shirts from the Free Love-era to offer up designs worn by our Joey Ramone to alt-country legends Gram Parsons and his Byrd's bandmate Chris Hillman! Also on tap for Spring 2006 are images by Irish artist Jim Fitzpatrick, who created all the imagery for Thin Lizzy and even designed the original Che Guevara Poster! Worn Free's Joey Ramone tees celebrate New York's punk scene and his sense of humor - from Capitol Theater, an amazing venue that hosted everyone from the Rolling Stones, the Ramones and Punk Magazine to Swamp Water, a shirt with a green crocodile drinking a famously toxic Australian alcoholic drink. (April 5, 2006)
- When the year was changing into a new year, five minutes before midnight there was a clock on every TV-net in the country (Netherlands). About three minutes before midnight a song started, the song was What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong... And then after it, around thirty seconds before midnight another song started, that song was What A Wonderful World by Joey Ramone!!! The entire Netherlands went into the new year with a song by our Joey! This will be a great year for every Ramones brother in Holland, wrote Roel Minnema! (January 1, 2006)
- (In a spirit of) Joey Ramone's annual Christmas show is also this year on December 30 at Continental, NYC. Joey himself used to have many parties, like his Christmas party for many years, at Continental. Ticket is only $2 and there are on stage: Mickey Leigh & Friends, Furious George, Lady Unluck, Dean Dean & The Sex Machines, The Basicks, Cyclones, Blackout Shoppers, The Bullys, Charm School, Sucker Punch, Ramoones, Jones Crusher, Johnny Black, Guns On High Street. Night begin 9:15PM and Mickey Leigh & Friends will be on stage 11:30PM. (December 10, 2005)
- The Sony psp GTA games are featuring Ramoniac things... Liberty City Stories is featuring our angel, Joey Ramone. There in this game comes a map for the city and on this map are 3 promotions for invented Broadway shows. One of them has the name Tally-Ho, The Musical. When you look infos, producer of that musical is Stuart Petri and animation on it is by Joey Ramone..... It's our angel. On GTA: Vice City, there's a stadium called Hyman Memorial Stadium and on GTA: San Andreas, there were 2 guys from mafia called Joey and Johnny, rivals. (Updated: November 19, 2005)
- The first Jewish Music Awards were presented on September, 2005 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Battery Park. Joey's brother Mickey Leigh told that Joey Ramone was honored with the first Lifetime Achievement Award. George Tabb presented, on behalf of Heeb Magazine, and Joey's mom Charlotte accepted for Joey. The award was the Golden Bagel and Charlotte got also a nice plaque however. It was an admittedly low budget affair with a lot of self-depricating Jewish humor, and five artists, including Golem, Divahn and What I Like About Jew, were perform Ramones tributes, like unique versions of Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue, Sheena Is A Punk Rocker and I Wanna Be Sedated. Mickey also commented: "Though we weren't terribly religious, it was certainly an honor." (October 4, 2005)
- (In a spirit of) Joey Ramone's annual Christmas show was in 2004 on December 30 at Continental, NYC. Joey himself used to have many parties, like his Christmas party for many years, at Continental. Night is featuring more than 10 bands and as well many special guests - The Basicks, Guns On High Street, Dean Dean & The Sex Machines, STOP with Joey's brother Mickey Leigh, The Bullys with Continental owner Trigger, The Cyclones, Charm School, Banana Slaves, Lady Unluck, Sucker Punch, Jones Crusher, Johnny Black, The Blitzcretins and The Plank Boys. (Updated: January 2005)
JOHNNY RAMONE -NEWS: JANUARY 2005 - DECEMBER 2008
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. There are many things and news related to him after he passed away:
- DVD version of the Too Tough To Die: A Tribute To Johnny Ramone was released in November 4, 2008. DVD's bonus features include full-length commentary track with director Mandy Stein and Johnny's wife Linda Ramone sharing candid stories and insight behind the scenes of her iconic husband's legacy. More info the document/ DVD here. (November 8, 2008)
- Happy birthday Johnny! Johnny Ramone became 60th year old angel on October 8, 2008. Johnny's official site posted streaming audio of a candid interview with Johnny Ramone conducted by Steve Jones (of the Sex Pistols) on Jonesy's Jukebox, originally aired February 21, 2004 on Indie 103.1. Jones also asks in this interview surprise questions and they speak with Chris Cornell. Listen it here. (September 9, 2008)
- Johnny Ramone's wife Linda Ramone was main person behind of cool outdoor event in loving memory of Johnny Ramone at the Hollywood Forever cemetary in Los Angeles, California, USA on August 1, 2008. For example Tommy Ramone, Marky Ramone and CJ Ramone attended this event. So Richie was only surviving Ramones member who couldn't attend this event (some people also count Clem Burke...). Read story and see photos of this event here. (Updated: August 4, 2008)
- Starz Cinema TV channel presents Too Tough To Die: A Tribute To Johnny Ramone document in USA on September 15, 2007 at 10PM (et/pt), it is the third anniversary of Johnny's death. You can read more of the document here. (August 24, 2007)
- The Wicker Man is a cult 1973 British film combining thriller, horror and musical, directed by Robin Hardy and written by Anthony Shaffer. An American remake of the film was released on September 1, 2006 and it's starring Johnny Ramone's friend Nicolas Cage. Probably it's because of Nicolas that in the end credits of remake it says: "Dedicated to Johnny Ramone." New version hasn't got lot good reviews. (September 18, 2006)
- The June 29, 2006 issue of Rolling Stone magazine with Eddie Vedder on the cover features a photo of Vedder with Johnny Ramone on page 50. Vedder is quoted as saying of his own new album: "Half this record is based on the loss of the guy who turned out to be the best friend I ever had on the planet. And that was Johnny Ramone." (June 20, 2006)
- There's in Contactmusic.com following news: "Pearl Jam star Eddie Vedder has a permanent home at late pal Johnny Ramone's Los Angeles house - after the punk icon created a place for the rocker and his wife to stay before he died last year (04). Vedder is thrilled with his friend's tribute and always makes a point of staying with Ramone's widow Linda at the pool house they created for him.
He says, "He set it up so I could visit and stay there.
"I remember reading that Frank Sinatra did that for Sammy Davis JR. So I felt proud to be Johnny's Sammy."
Article is from this source (November 16, 2005)
- On July 8th, there's going to be screening of Rock'N'Roll High School movie at Hollywood Forever, the Santa Monica Boulevard cemetery right on the heart of Hollywood. Besides the classic 1979 movie you can catch an exclusive screening of clips from the speeches by Johnny's friends during the unveiling ceremony of Johnny's statue last January 14th, 2005. This gang includes Tommy Ramone, CJ Ramone, Pete Yorn, Nicholas Cage, John Frusciante, Eddie Vedder, Rob Zombie and Vincent Gallo. This piece of a larger documentary directed by Mandi Stein, will tell you more about Johnny's private life than anything else you have or will ever read. The movie will be introduced by it's director Alan Arkush, and some of it's stars will be present, among them P. J. Soles and Cliff Howard. There will also be speakers, like Lars from Rancid. Also you will be able to catch Joey's solo video Wonderful World from Joey's solo album and clips from the Joey Ramone Place street dedication. (Updated June 28, 2005)
- Johnny Ramone and Lisa Marie Presley were close friends. Johnny was the best man at Mr. Cage's wedding to Lisa Marie Presley etc. Presley's new album Now What was released on April 5, 2005. It contains cover of the Ramones song Here Today, Gone Tomorrow. Another cover is Don Henley's ever-timely Dirty Laundry. Johnny Ramone originally hand-picked Here Today, Gone Tomorrow for Presley to perform on a Ramones tribute album We're A Happy Family, but the song instead turns up on Now What. Johnny had hoped to play on Presley's version of the song, but he passed away the day she started recording it, according to Capitol Records. Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones plays on the Here Today, Gone Tomorrow. Album also contains song When You Go and it is in part dedicated to Johnny. (April 8, 2005)
DEE DEE RAMONE -NEWS: JANUARY 2005 - DECEMBER 2008
Dee Dee joined Joey in heaven on June 5th, 2002... There are many things and news related to Dee Dee after he passed away:
- Christian Martucci was Dee Dee Ramone's guitarist. Christian wrote to me that he is playing now in Black President. Black President has an album coming out on September 16th, 2008. Check out their MySpace site, there are tour dates and basic info of the band etc. Drummer of the Black President is Roy Mayorga (Nausea, Soulfly, Stone Sour etc.) (June 30, 2008)
- Radio Taxi is a new band of Barbara Zampini. Barbara was married with Dee Dee Ramone. Barbara is at the moment living in her home country Argentina. She plays bass and sing in Radio Taxi. This band she formed with her current boyfriend Danny De Salvo on guitar, her old friend Juan Novoa (formerly of Expulsados) on guitar & vocals, Maxi Del Mar on guitar and Ray (from El Otro Yo) on drums. You can listen some songs in their MySpace spage, click here. (January 28, 2008)
- Dee Dee co-wrote together with a band called Los Gattos (from Los
Angeles, USA) song titled Downhill in 2000 when Dee Dee did with a band
then some shows, and also Dee Dee toured with Los Gattos in 2001. After
some years of making that song, Los Gattos is now released Downhill. It
is in their CD which is produced by Paul Kostabi of Youth Gone Mad.
Paul was one of the most close friends of Dee Dee and also music
partner. Paul, Los Gattos etc. started recording CD in May, 2006 and
they finished recordings in autumn. Tony Mann (toured a while with Dee
Dee + plays in She Wolves) played drums on all the 13 tracks including
Downhill and Michel Solis' song NY2LA. Michel Solis also played and did
co-operation with Dee Dee. Michel also took photos for the CD
sleeve. CD was released by Art Monkey Records on January 13, 2007.
Before Art Monkey Records has released for example Dee Dee's Too Tough
To Die Live CD.Los Gattos was also recently guest band on Mark Kostabi's cable TV show called Name That Painting. Downhill is "In memory and in honor of our idol, mentor and most of all, our friend.", wrote bassist Despo. Rude "E" is singer-guitarist and Steve drummer in Los Gattos. Los Gattos' MySpace page is here and Art Monkey Records page is here. And here's link to URL where you can buy that CD. (Updated: January 18, 2007)
- Dee Dee's wife Barbara has been living in Argentina a while and Chase Manhattan, who was touring with Dee Dee as a drummer, told that Barbara just called him and she wants him to go visit her down in Argentina. Barbara is doing good, she's building a recording studio down there etc. Barbara is also born in Argentina. We wanted to let you Ramones fans to know that Barbara is doing well. (October 3, 2006)
- Band called False Alarm (Los Angeles, USA) released new record titled
Fuck 'Em All We've All Ready (Now) Won! False Alarm formed already in
1983, but never really got started back then because the members became
involved with the other Los Angeles punk rock bands etc. Anyway Fuck 'Em
All We've All Ready (Now) Won! False Alarm is now out and as a album
cover is painting by Dee Dee Ramone and Paul Kostabi. Paul also plays
rhythm guitar on CD. Many of you Ramones fans probably remember Paul,
not only is he a famous painter in his own right but he is also heavily
into music with his another group called Youth Gone Mad. Dee Dee and
Youth Gone Mad did a lot of work together in his last years. Fuck 'Em
All We've All Ready (Now) Won! has 14 songs and it features guest
appearances on 6 tracks by Cheetah Chrome (Dead Boys etc.) etc. Great CD
also has some cover songs, like of New York Dolls track Vietnamese Baby
and of Dead Boys track High Tension Wire. The previous False Alarm
record featured Fat Mike of NOFX who played in the band in the 80's.
(September 29, 2006)- There's a group exhibition curated by John Nikolai featuring the work of kickass rock 'n' roll artists at CBGB 313 Gallery, New York on November 27, 2005 - January 6, 2005. Opening reception is on November 30, 2005 6pm with special appearances by Ramones Artistic Director Arturo Vega, Godlis, John Holmstrom, Roberta Bayley and Leee Black Childers talking about their work. This is "follow-up" to the similar exhibit earlier this year in Cambridge, Massachusetts (see below). But for example exhibition is featuring painting of the Sex Pistols titled Fuck Off by Dee Dee Ramone. Also Joey Ramone painting by Knox of The Vibrators is there, cool photographs of Marky Ramone by Josie Montserrat etc. See more infos here. (November 28, 2005)
- There's came out in Brazil the Portuguese version of Dee Dee's
biography (original title: Poison Heart: Surviving The Ramones) titled
Coracao Envenenado - Minha Vida Com Os Ramones. This version has 192
pages and soft cover. You can see cover beside, it's different than in
original one. Translation is by Paulo Salles and pretext is by Andre
Barcinski. You can
buy
book here.
Homepage of the Editora Barracude is here. There's also more
information and lot comments of the book by fans here. (July 6,
2005)- Once again we are treated to an exhibition of paintings by Dee Dee Ramone, Paul Kostabi, Joseph B. Raimond, Lothar Felkel and Gerhard "The General" Seckler. Besides some of the works that have already shown in Nuernberg, Augsburg, Koln, Berlin and Munich, many new works will be shown. The exhibition will take place from June 11th until June 21st, 2005 at the Ateliers d' Artistes de Belleville, 32, rue de la mare, 75020 Paris. Go to the opening on June 11 and meet several of the artists, or to the closing party on June 21st for the day of "fete de la musique", it will ending with some small live gig as homage to the Ramones in the gallery. General, Lothar etc. can help you to find a cheap cool hotel in the near of the gallery click here! (May 5, 2005)
TOMMY RAMONE -NEWS: JANUARY 2005 - DECEMBER 2008
- Tommy Ramone's and Claudia Tienan's duo band Uncle Monk will be performing on The Vince Vincent Jukebox Jamboree 91.3 FM WVKR Vassar College Radio at 7-9PM on November 28, 2008. It is also streaming live on the internet, so you can hear it also that way here http://www.wvkr.org (November 24, 2008)
- Save Nuta is a musical collaboration involving members of bands like HIM, The Latebirds, Zen Cafe, The Wrecking Queens, Stunning Guns, Scandinavian Music Group and Donits Osmo Experience. They want to save famous youth center in Helsinki's Munkkiniemi, Finland which is known for its world class recording facilities a.k.a. MD-Studio. These Finnish guys got together in order to save this place. They recorded cover of Ramones song Rock'N'Roll High School in October 2008. Song start with a little opening speech by Tommy Ramone. Bassist in this version is Ville Valo (HIM), guitarists Markus Nordenstreng (The Latebirds) and Joel Melasniemi (Scandinavian Music Group), keyboardist Burton (HIM), drummer Antti Lehtinen (Scandinavian Music Group) and lead singers Nöpsy (Wrecking Queens) and Tommi Kumen (Stunning Guns). As a background singers you can hear for example Samuli Putro (Zen Cafe) and Janne Joutsenniemi (SubUrban Tribe, Stone).
You can listen song here http://www.myspace.com/savenuta and see video here in YouTube. There is in MySpace also link to address to save this place. (October 20, 2008)
- Musiikki & Media conference is the biggest annual Finnish music trade fair for people in Finnish recording, publishing, live music and media industries etc. This year Musiikki & Media is organised in Tampere, Finland in October 23-25. Seminar program focuses on the turmoil of recorded and live music and the need of new business models. This year Tommy Ramone will attend seminar together with Sire Records founder Seymour Stein! Tommy Ramone and Seymour Stein will be interviewed by Jarkko Jokelainen (aka Jay Burnside) of The Flaming Sideburns (he also works for Helsingin Sanomat newspaper etc.) at 4-4.45PM (16:00-16:45) in Saturday on October 25, 2008.
As you know, Tommy Ramone is the only surviving member of the original band (later members does live: Richie, Marky and CJ Ramone). Tommy has worked also as a producer and his current band is Uncle Monk. The Ramones played last shows in Finland in 1994. Also Dee Dee Ramone played with his I.C.L.C. line-up in Finland in 1994. After that any of the Ramones members does not have visited in Finland (even Dee Dee and Marky has toured separately in other Scandinavian countries).
Sire Records founder Seymour Stein was managing the Ramones with Danny Fields during the early years of the Ramones career. So he also was founder of the Sire Records etc. Ramones recorded for Sire Records sixteen years. Seymour Stein attended Musiikki & Media also in 2007. Seymour Stein still run Sire Records and he is vice president of Warner Bros Records (USA).
Also for example Jonathan Poneman will attend Musiikki & Media in Finland. Jonathan is another founder of Sub Pop Records label. Sub Pop Records artists has been/ are for example Nirvana, Mudhoney, Soundgarden, CSS and Fleet Foxes. (Updated: October 16, 2008)
- Tommy Ramone will be the special guest of Hungarian Ramones Mania (Hungarian Ramones Mania is the Ramones tribute band) in concert at the Zöldpardon in Budapest, Hungary on July 3, 2008. So Tommy has born in Hungary. Tommy is brought to Hungsry by hungarian television channel RTL Klub as the only hungarian member of Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. (June 24, 2008)
- Tommy Ramone wrote that his and Claudia Tienan's band Uncle Monk is now getting ready to start work on their second album. You can buy Uncle Monk debut CD for example from CDBaby.com (price was only 12,97 US$ on January 13, 2008). Uncle Monk also added new video clips for their site. In their future tours they plan to visit in North-America the Midwest, Canada as well as the South and West Coast. (January 13, 2008)
- I thinked to mention that it is good to be careful with it what believes, like it is easy to claim to be someone on internet. As a example many seems to think that real Tommy Ramone is behind this MySpace site/profile. It is build to look like real one. But Tommy doesn't know who runs that. "I am going to have it removed because I asked him to state that it is a tribute site but he did not respond to me.", Tommy wrote to me. (October 12, 2007)
- Tommy Ramone's and Claudia Tienan's band Uncle Monk has played lot shows already in early and spring 2007. Also many shows are in summer 2007. Check dates here. In addition to those dates they has some radio interviews etc., like they has WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour (XM Radio Show) in Lexington, KY, USA on May 7, 2007 and radio live show and interview on WAMC/Northeast Public Radio in Albany, NY, USA on June 12, 2007. (April 29, 2007)
- Spongebob Squarepants: The Best Day Ever CD was released on September 12, 2006 by Nick Records. All new original music created and written by Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob and producer Andy Paley, who are accompanied by a crew of legendary musicians including Tommy Ramone, Brian Wilson and Flaco Jimenez. The album presents the work of the animated band - SpongeBob & The Hi-Seas - whose debut record is being previewed on Bikini Bottom's WH2O. With cleverly crafted interstitials that play like a retro-modern rock and roll radio show, mixed with modern songs, the album comprises a fun-filled 26 tracks! Ridin' The Hook track includes Tommy Ramone's playing, and also Jonathan Paley's etc. Andy and Jonathan Paley had in past band called The Paley Brothers. The Ramones and The Paley Brothers recorded a track called Come On Let's Go for the soundtrack of "Ramones movie" Rock'N'Roll High School. (November 22, 2006)
- A Hungarian Matula Magazine listed 50 greatest Hungarians in their site, click here to see listing. Tommy Ramone is #2! Tamas Kovacs translated text of the Tommy: "There is only one Hungarian man on Earth, without whom the modern western culture would not be what it is now. Thomas Erdelyi photographed in sport shoes and leather jacket in front of CBGB can be seen in more teenager rooms on the wall than the other 10 million hungarians together (Jari-Pekka's note: that legendary photo of the Ramones in front of the CBGB's). As Tommy Ramone he was the drummer of the first three Ramones records and he was the producer of first four ones and he wrote Blitzkrieg Bop, the march of the band, one of the top ten rock songs. "Hey-Ho-Lets-Go" written by him is the best known piece of art of Hungarian poetry. Strength of these four syllables is much higher than that of "Stand Up, Hungarian!" (this is the raw translation of the "Talpra Magyar", which is one of the best know hungarian poems, written by Sandor Petofi in early 19th century, Tamas). Petofi was a cool guy, but he was not the one to invent punk. If John Lennon lived and was Hungarian, he (Lennon) could only be #3 on this list as a maximum." (November 15, 2006)
- Tommy's new duo band is called Uncle Monk, musical style will be a bit surprising mix for some Ramones fans, and also for many refreshing acquaintance. Uncle Monk is an alt-country punk-bluegrass and it's also featuring Claudia Tienan (ex-The Simplistics). Uncle Monk released their album on March 16, 2006. You can find more information of the Uncle Monk and CD from this location on my site. Uncle Monk is also doing shows, click here to see dates. (Updated: November 11, 2006)
- Tommy Ramone is musical director of a Gabba Gabba Hey! musical featuring the music of the Ramones. Gabba Gabba Hey! debut was in Perth, Australia, at the Monkey Bar on August 17-21, 2004. After that it was in Germany, Switzerland...
There was 13 dates in Berlin, Germany in May, 2005. And now you can see the musical as a movie! Producer of Berlin musical (and also of other German dates) Michael Schaumer informed that the first and only (!) public viewing of this tourmovie is at Ex'N'Pop, Potsdamer Strasse, Berlin at 21:00 on June 2, 2006. With Rolf Zacher, Ades Zabel, Jürg Plüss, Katja Götz, Stefanie Heller, Doreen Kutzke, Tim Eberts, Ben Dominik and Forgotten Idols. Bonustracks with Jayne County and Fil Tägert. Afterparty with Lord Ultra, the band from Jürg Plüss (who plays Doug in the musical).
More information of the musical in general you can find from this location on my site. (May 30, 2006)
- Jeff Salen is a founding member of the Tuff Darts, and he was also in Jayne County & The Backstreet Boys with Marky Ramone etc. and in Butch with Tommy Ramone and Monte Melnick. Especially older Ramones fans will remember for example Tuff Darts song like All for the Love of Rock & Roll etc., and I was thinking it's good to inform you about new releases. Jeff still performs with the Tuff Darts, and also solo with the Tuff Jeff Salen band. His new solo album is called The Endless Road, it's available on Fountainbleu Entertainment Records and Tommy Ramone plays lead guitar on it! The Tuff Darts album was recently re-released on Sire/ Wounded Bird Records. Click here to visit his homepage. (November 17, 2005)
- This did happen in November, 2004, but now Tamas from Hungary sent me an link as he found this out. There was Ramones tribute concert by Hungarian ambassador to the USA in Washington, and Tommy Ramone was a special guest. Tommy was wearing a suit and other men also similar clothes when they were rocking out Blitzkrieg Bop, Judy Is A Punk, Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue etc. Here's site where is also photos of the event and an interview in hungarian, click here.... And one week later Tamas Kovacs translated this article, click here. (September 28, 2005)
- Punk: Attitude punk rock documentary was released on September 6, 2005 in USA on double DVD by Capital Entertainment. Release date in UK is on October 3, 2005 by Fremantle Media etc. Punk: Attitude is featuring interview with Tommy Ramone, as well for example with David Johansen, Henry Rollins, Chryssie Hynde and Jello Biafra. Documentary delves into the roots of punk, borne of the Velvet Underground, MC-5, and the New York Dolls, connecting the musical dots from the 70's London scene to New York's CBGB's. So Punk: Attitude is released by Capital Entertainment and it's director is Don Letts. Punk: Attitude documentary takes 90 minutes, but two-disc DVD features over 17 extras including a 30 minute LA punk scene featurette produced exclusively for the US DVD. Other extras include, Where Are They Now and Punk Family Tree, California Screamin' "Behind the Masque" article, Henry Rollins interview, Dave Goodman feature, Fanzines, Fashion, Women in Punk, Record Companies, The Attitude/Spirit of Punk, The Influences/Origins Of Punk, Punk On Culture and the Arts, UK versus US, Punk Evolution, The Gigs/Performance and The Punk Sound. (Updated: September 6, 2005)
MARKY RAMONE -NEWS: JANUARY 2005 - DECEMBER 2008
- Marky Ramone will do a documentary of himself and of his career titled The Job That Ate My Brain: The Marky Ramone Story. The film consists of clips of over 40 interviews with various artists, band members and people close to Marky throughout his career, like some members other members of the Ramones, and groups where Marky played in his early days: Dust, Wayne County & The Backstreet Boys and Richard Hell And The Voidoids. (November 28, 2008)
- Osaka Popstar's singer John Cafiero has The Devil Dog Art Show at the Showroom Gallery in 117 2nd Avenue (7th Street and 2nd Avenue) in New York, near dear old St. Marks Place. 212-673-5424, 1PM-9PM EST. Premiere night was October 31, 2008. The show will remain open until November 8th, 2008. As you know, Marky Ramone is drummer for Osaka Popstar which also features Ivan Julian, Dez Cadena and Jerry Only. John Cafiero asked over 100 toy designers, cartoonists, painters and celebrities to customize white vinyl figures of Osaka Popstar mascot, Devil Dog. More infos here. (November 4, 2008)
- I informed on my page in 2003-2004 that Marky Ramone and "Ramones producer" Daniel Rey were visiting Canada for four days in April 2003. They stepped into the recording studios with Canada's greatest punkrock band ever, Teenage Head, to record old Teenage Head tunes, including Little Boxes, Top Down, Lucy Potato, Teenage Beer Drinking Party, First Time, You're Tearin' Me Apart, Some Kind Of Fun and Let's Shake. Line up: drummer Marky, vocalist Frankie Venom, guitarist Gordie Lewis and bassist Steve Marshall. So Daniel Rey produced songs. It took them only six hours rehearsal to ready themselves for three days in Hamilton's Catharine North Studios. Gordie Lewis tells on my second book Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone also of those recordings. Gordie Lewis wrote to me in 2007 that Sonic Unyon Records is the name of the label in Canada. Release date is April 22, 2008 (not April 8) in the Canada and June 10 in the USA. CD is distributed worldwide and also is downloadable via iTunes and Zunior.com. Read more infos and see tracklisting here.
Later in October, 2008 we got sad news, that Teenage Head lead singer Frank Kerr aka Frankie Venom has died of throat cancer, he was only 52 years old... (Updated info: October 29, 2008)
- Marky Ramone has been doing new Ramones DVD. Marky has plans to release it in during 2009. Ramones DVD called Raw was released in 2004. Marky Ramone and John Cafiero were mainmen behind it, like it has lot material what Marky recorded during Ramones tours. Raw DVD has sold gold in Australia, USA and UK. (October 10, 2008)
- Marky Ramone planned already in 2006-2007 to record few new songs with his friend called Bluesman. Marky wrote: "I've been working on new songs that are a fusion of both rock and blues, which is an American tradition, and which I've found other countries really appreciate... One in particular is called Stop Thinking."
You can listen song at Marky's MySpace site. Song will surprise some fans. (September 10, 2008)
- Marky Ramone informed of two radio shows: "For those of you living in the Los Angeles, USA area, I will be doing a live interview on 97.1 KLSX with Frosty, Heidi and Frank on May 9, 2008. The show airs at 1pm (PST)." and another radio show: "Tune-in for my interview with Greg Napier, WMMT 88.7FM, USA on Sunday May 18th at 10pm (EST). You can listen to the show at htt://www.wmmtfm.org. (May 8, 2008)
- Marky Ramone wrote that he will be at the opening of the CBGB room at the Orlando, Florida Hard Rock Cafe with Little Steven Van Zandt on April 19, 2008. Marky has given some donations to the room.(April 14, 2008)
- The American Social Health Association (ASHA) is reminding the public
that safer sex practices have never been more critical. Despite
hundreds of millions of tax dollars spent on abstinence-only education
programs, each year in the United States there are approximately 19
million new cases of sexually transmitted infections - about half of
which occur among youth ages 15-24. (Source: ASHA)In honor of National Condom Week, Marky Ramone has unveiled a signature series of safer sex kits as a means to reach sexually active youth and adults in a cool, hip way - getting the message out about safer sex practices through the power of music and pop culture.
Each kit contains two Lifestyles® condoms, lubricant and an STD resource card - packaged inside a discreet metal tin with Marky Ramone emblem printed on the front with a tagline that says "Too Tuff To Break". The kit was produced in partnership with Minneapolis-based organization Ready two Go.
"The world has lost too many people to STD's of all types and that is why I joined up with Ready two Go for my signature series of safer sex tins," says Marky Ramone.
The product can be found online at readytwogo.net. (February 14, 2008)
- The King Of Punk documentary is directed and produced by Kenneth van Schooten and Julie van Schooten. King Of Punk contains interviews with many members of legendary and important punk bands, for example with Marky Ramone, Jayne County, Cheetah Chrome of the Dead Boys, Charlie Harper of the UK Subs and Keith 'Monkey' Warren of The Adicts. It also profiles OBGYN, an all-girl punk band based in Fayetteville, NC, USA, and Patrick Clement, owner of FNS Records. The King of Punk documentary is now available on DVD. (January 15, 2008)
- Marky Ramone was invited to the birthday/ Christmas party of Phil Spector (born December 26, 1939). Spector produced the Ramones album End Of The Century in 1980. Marky wrote of his visit: "I was invited to Phil Spector's Lahambra Castle to celebrate Christmas and Phil's Birthday. It was a wonderful and festive event. Phil is in excellent spirits after everything he went through and wishes everyone a great holiday season and a Happy New Year. I also visited with my friends the Kessel Brothers and Linda Ramone (Johnny's wife) while in town for the holidays." (January 5, 2008)
- Marky Ramone will be a DJ at the San Vittore, Milano in Italy on October 23, 2007. Then he will be guest at Rock TV (Italy) at 14:00 (2PM) on October 24, 2007. He will probably be guest also at Radio 105 and Virgin Radio Italy. Then he will go to Spain and do a small tour there. See those dates here. (October 21, 2007)
- Marky played a show at the Beijing Pop Festival in China on September 9, 2007. Also Public Enemy asked him to play Blitzkrieg Bop there with him. Read Marky's comments here. And see photos and read review here. (October 12, 2007)
- Ramones DVD called Raw was released in 2004. Marky Ramone and John Cafiero were mainmen behind it, like it has lot material what Marky recorded during Ramones tours. Now Raw DVD has sold gold in Australia. Before it has sold gold in the USA and UK. (October 5, 2007)
- Marky Ramone recorded Cherry Bomb song with Cherie Currie of The Runaways and Wayne Kramer of the MC5. Cherry Bomb is old The Runaways hit. This new version of the song is released at least in Cherie Currie's Cherry Bomb CDEP (it has 4 songs), Ramones' Solo Performances 7' (by No Balls Records) and in Ladies Of The '80s compilation. You can also buy MP3 of the song (or whole EP) from here. (August 15, 2007)
- Marky Ramone is touring in Europe also in July and August, 2007. The Queers are also touring with him in most of the shows. Joe Queer wrote to me on July 2, 2007: "We are not on the first two shows (the Queers I mean). The rest we are opening up for Marky Ramone, but me and Dave Queer (bass player) are playing with Marky for his set also." Sebastian of the Expulsados is in vocals. Also Marky is playing in August in Taiwan and in September in China. See these and Marky's other dates etc. here. (Updated: July 23, 2007)
- The June 2007 issue of Modern Drummer magazine includes a 5-page spread on Marky Ramone. The article takes a look at highlights from Marky's thirty-five year career with some words from Marky himself. (May 5, 2007)
- Marky Ramone has plans to do an album together with Joe of The Queers and Ben Weasel of The Screeching Weasel and The Riverdales. They've discussed of it also in past. Also Marky Ramone will be touring in Europe with Joe and Dave of the Queers on July 4 - July 22, 2007. More infos later. (April 10, 2007)
- Here is Marky's letter which he wrote on February, 2007 for you fans: "2006 was a great year for myself, my friends and fans. From the looks of things, 2007 will be even better. A lot of things are happening down the road. There will be touring to continue the Ramones legacy alive around the world. I will continue to play the music my fans love on my radio show The Punk Rock Blitzkrieg on Sirius Satellite Radio. I will continue to make guest appearances at venues all over the world. Also, my book which is in the process of being finished will contain many surprises for all my friends and fans. The name wont' be called Faith In The Backbeat as previously announced, the working title will be announced soon. Again, thanks to all my friends for making 2006 one of the best years. Your friend,
- Marky" (February, 15, 2007)
- Marky Ramone and Friends are doing a tour in South America in March, 2007. They've heard rumors of promotions that they are touring earlier in South America, but this rumor is not true. See dates (March, 2007) here. (December 27, 2006)
- New DVD and CD of Marky Ramone performing live with the Brazilian band Tequila Baby are now (October, 2006) available in stores throughout Brazil. They're coming to stores in Argentina probably in November. The DVD and CD are called Ao Vivo. See tracklistings here. Marky has been doing shows with the Tequila Baby in 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006 and also play one song in their one album. Also I thinked to mention of my "news archives" that "Ramones producer" Daniel Rey produced the third album of Tequila Baby called Punk Rock Ate Os Ossos (2002). You can read review of Marky's and Tequila Baby's show in Brazil on August 6, 2006 by Helio Volpato on my site, click here.Tequila Baby's homepage is here. (Updated: November 1, 2006)
- My friend Lynne Cameron (Scotland) wanted to give his own tribute to Marky Ramone and thank him for all that he does in keeping the Ramones legacy alive, so she named a star for him in spring 2006. The star is called Marky's Star (Marky Ramone) and this is in the triangulum constellation (the triangle) and with Marky being a drummer and the triangle is in the percussion family Lynne thought this was very appropriate. Lynne has also got star named after the Ramones. Gongralutions Lynne. Now in October (2006) International Star Registry also finally added Marky's name to the listing Celebrity Stars. You can see where star is located, click here. (Updated: October 4, 2006)
- There's an 3 page long article of Osaka Popstar in Hustler Magazine. It includes an interview with Marky Ramone and Osaka Popstar frontman John Cafiero. The December issue of Hustler will be available and on newsstands mid September. Please note, Hustler is a monthly adult magazine that includes explicit material as well as current-event satire and social exposes. (August 16, 2006)
- David Kenyon added to his site lot nice photos of Marky's show in UK in July, 2006. Go to David Kenyon's site and click there: "Click here to view my galleries" (down in right) and you'll find link to Marky's photos. (July 27, 2006)
- You can read Marky's new interview from LA Weekly homepage, click here (July 2, 2006)
- On Thursday June 8th, Marky Ramone & Osaka Popstar frontman John Cafiero appeared on Mancow's Morning Madhouse for a live interview. If you missed the live broadcast, you can listen streaming audio clip, click here. (June 16, 2006)
- The full-length CD/DVD combo Osaka Popstar And The American Legends Of Punk was released in Europe on May 22, 2006 and worldwide on May 23, 2006. Osaka Popstar is helmed by John Cafiero (vocals). Marky Ramone plays drums on every song on The Osaka Popstar album, and other players are Jerry Only (Misfits) on bass, Dez Cadena (Black Flag/ Misfits) on guitar and Ivan Julian (Richard Hell & The Voidoids) on guitar. So the CD includes a bonus DVD, it's featuring 2 animated music videos created exclusively for this release, like of the first single Wicked World which was animated by the Japanese designer Mari-Chan. Wicked World was written by the Daniel Johnston. He also contributed vocals to the song Man Of Constant Sorrow. Other tracks on the album include I Live Off You, Astro Boy, Monsters, Shaolin Monkeys and The Richard Hell & Voidoids tracks Blank Generation and Love Comes In Spurts.
Read one good review of the release, click here. You can listen to the final mix of Wicked World in its entirety on the Osaka Popstar site. Before rough mix of the Wicked World was featured on Rykodisc's 20th Anniversary 2-CD compilation set.
Cafiero has said following of the recordings/ line-up: "It's great to work with your friends and who better for a band than the guys who started the scene? This is my own personal Punk Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame"
And about Marky: "Marky Ramone is my absolute favorite drummer. It's surreal because when I was a kid in garage bands I used to always tell my drummers to play like Marky. And he surprised us, all the musicians noticed it - unlike his previous work where he may have been more regimented, like in the Ramones, he really does some incredible playing in his fills. He breaks the mold, and it sounds great" (Updated June 15, 2006)
- Marky Ramone has been invited for the opening act of Pablo Echaurren's exibition Painting On Ramones' Rhythm which takes place at Rome's Auditorium from the June 24. Marky will attend the opening from 7PM. The exibition will be one of Rome's main spring events. It is a big exibition by the artist Pablo Echaurren, a big Ramones fan who always does his artworks listening to Ramones' albums. Here will be a selection of Ramones' pictures and pictures inspired by Ramones' songs and it will be opened until the July 30, 2006. Check out his new book Chiamatemi Pablo Ramone, it's released by Fernandel Di Ravenna.
There's also another exhibition where is Pablo's paintings dedicated to the Ramones. This another exhibition is between May 26 - September 25. It's at Palazzo Delle Papesse, address is Via di Citta, 126, 53100 Siena, Italy. (May 9, 2006)
- Marky Ramone interview is on Johnny Thunders release After The Dolls - 1977-1987 (CD + DVD). More infos here.
- Fuel 2000 Records / Varese Sarabande released on March 21, 2006 Marky Ramone: Start Of The Century - Punkology 1 -2CD collection. More infos of it here (March 30, 2006)
- Dee Jaywalker from the former Marky Ramone And The SpeedKings is been busy as a solo artist. Dee have been playing since the late seventies and he's still strongly into punk and also recently recorded new stuff, the music is of course also related to the Ramones. His solo album is coming out at the end of April, 2006 on Nicotine Records (Italy). He also gigged for the first time with his new band under the name of Goodcopbadcop, Paolo, Sven and Annette are his partners in crime at this moment. Dee also got website: http://www.deejaywalker.com, but at the moment Dee is doing new design for it. (Updated: March 14, 2006)
- On BBC Radio 2 (UK) starts in Saturday February 11, 2006 (20:30-21:30) a new 3 part series tracing the story of New Wave from 1970's New York right up to the second wave of bands such as The Killers, Franz Ferdinand & Bloc Party. Contributors include Marky Ramone, Debbie Harry, Elvis Costello, Patti Smith, and music journalist Lester Bangs. Second part comes out in February 18 and third in February 25. (February 8, 2006)
- Marky Ramone is on HDNet TV in this and next week, Marky tell his story about growing up in New York, 30 years of world touring, CBGB's etc. Program is called Sound Off With Matt Pinfield. Matt is former MTV host. Episodes comes out in following days: 1) Sun January 22, 2006, 8.30pm ET and 11.30pm ET 2) Mon January 23, 7pm ET 3) Thu January 26, 7pm ET and 4) Sun January 29, 4.30pm ET. Homepage of HDNet is here. (January 22, 2006)
- There's a semi-secret The Osaka Popstar free Christmas song The Christmas That Almost Wasn't download available now that will only be online for the next couple of days at (in Christmas time 2005): http://www.osakapopstar.com Just click the link that says Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Track includes Marky Ramone on drums. And Marky plays drums on every song on The Osaka Popstar album, it is now finished and will be released in 2006. And I repeat, song will only be on the site for the next few days.
(December 23, 2005)
- Marky Ramone was touring in South America with Tequila Baby. And as a bonus, Marky Ramone was the special guest of Pearl Jam's show at Gigantinho in Porto Alegre, Brazil on November 28, 2005. There was 18 000 fans. During the encore Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder, who was close friend with Johnny Ramone, called to the stage the Marky to play Ramones song I Believe In Miracles - song that Pearl Jam recorded in some of the live shows thrown in 2003 and Vedder recorded with Zeke in the Ramones tribute album We're A Happy Family Marky commented to the Zero Hora this way:
"Eddie Vedder is a great fan of the Ramones. He came with us to Brazil in 1994, only to be close"
And: "Yesterday (Monday), it was my rest night, then I wanted to have fun a little. I went to the alone gym to give a " hi " for them. And they invited me to play. We didn't rehearse anything. It was very good, very entertaining."
(William sent this info, his site is here. (December 7, 2005)
- God Save The Queen - A Punk Rock Anthology -DVD is featuring Marky Ramone, Marky talks about The Ramones in general. Mostly DVD is featuring music, not talk. The 75-minute will include 21 live and studio performances from "old school" punk bands. This is a collection that well exemplifies roots punk rock of the 70s. From the USA (Ramones, Iggy & The Stooges, The Dead Boys) to the UK (The Buzzcocks, Generation X). DVD covers some of the most influential punk rock anthems of all time. DVD comes out by MVD/Cleopatra. Release date changed, it's now: January 24, 2006. Tracklisting is here. (November 28, 2005)
- Marky Ramone recorded in LA in late October a song that has Wayne Kramer (DKT/MC5) on guitar and Cheri Curry (Currie?) on vocals. More infos of that session later. (November 9, 2005)
- Marky Ramone goes to Brazil to play with Tequila Baby on November, 23 (Bar Opiniao, Porto Alegre - RS) and November 24, 2005 (Pavilhoes da Festa da Uva, Caxias do Sul - RS). In both nights Tequila Baby is going to play first 15 songs and then with Marky 15 songs more etc. Marky is played also before shows with Tequila Baby.
And Marky also goes to Argentina and Chile in December. See dates here. (Updated: November 9, 2005)
- Now is released (Rhino Records) Richard Hell Spurts: The Richard Hell Story collection. Hell dropped out of high school in Lexington, Kentucky, and traveled to New York to become a poet. Hell has lived now for 30 years in the East Village, where's (like you know) also CBGB's etc. Hell formed with Tom Verlaine Television in 1974 and they were playing lot shows together with the Ramones. Hell was forming The Heartbreakers in 1975. And then in 1976 he formed The Voidoids together with Marc Bell (Marky Ramone), Robert Quine and Ivan Julian. Richard Hell & The Voidoids released in 1977 classic Blank Generation album. This collection has 4 songs from that album: Blank Generation, Liars Beware, Walking On The Water and Love Comes In Spurts. Marky plays in them and also in song Oh which Hell, Marc (Marky), Robert Quine and Ivan Julian recorded in 2001 to the Wayne Kramer Presents Beyond Cyberpunk CD. In all this collection has 21 songs, like interesting demos from pre-Television group The Neon Boys. Collection has really great booklet, like Hell is telling of the songs to the Robert Christgau and Carola Dibbell in interview style of. Booklet also has photos, one pic also contains Marky. (October 17, 2005)
- Marky is starting his own radio show on Sirius satellite radio. Marky is debuting from 7pm to 9pm on Tuesday October 4, 2005 on Fiction channel 28. Then it comes again on Saturday 10pm to 12pm on Disorder channel 24. So Marky is going to DJ on there once a week live. (Updated: September 28, 2005)
- Marky was touring in August in Germany, UK, Ireland and USA. Read my story of shows in Wacken here, article of show in London in Sun newspaper here and Lynne Cameron's story of show in Milton Keynes, UK is here (before Lynne's review there's many photos and then you've to scroll down a bit). (Updated: August 29, 2005)
- Marky Ramone is also writing a book. He's told of it for me before. Now he commented for me: "I will be finished with my book soon and it comes out in 2006. The name of my book will be "Faith in the BackBeat", about my times in the punkscene before, during and after the Ramones." (Updated: August 14)
- Marky played with Lisa Marie Presley at NYC City Hall, 5 0'clock Thursday (May 19, 2005), in the park. Lisa Marie Presley did at first around 10 songs, then Marky came up and they punked the Ramones song Here Today Gone Tommorrow. Then show was over. (Updated May 20)
- Doll magazine from Japan has wrote regularly of the Ramones. Marky Ramone just played with Misfits in Japan and Doll magazine did there interview with Marky (Marky played today on April 30, 2005 last show with Misfits). Issue number 214 contains that interview, also Seein' Red, Dillinger Escape Plan, Street Dogs etc. (April 30, 2005)
- The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of education in America's public schools by restoring music programs in cities across the country and raising public awareness about the importance of music participation for our nation's youth. Five of New York's most popular rock acts will perform at the Rock & Roll Ball, a Benefit Concert for VH1 Save the Music, at the Knitting Factory in New York City on Tuesday, May 10 at 7:00 PM. "Guest of Honor," Ramones drummer Marky Ramone, will also be on hand to represent the legendary musicians who began their careers in New York. Hosted by concert presenter and VH1 "Metal Moments" Metal Expert, John Ostronomy, the show will feature Nef Jones, Captain T & Ostronomy with special guest Richie Scarlet, Lourds, Queen V, and Joker Five Speed. More info: KnittingFactory.com. (April 20, 2005)
- Marky recorded a show in Mexico with some friends last year, which came out great. He will be putting it out as his tribute; 17 songs, and a DVD, it will be called Live Down Mexico Way. (March 10, 2005)
- Lynne Cameron had one copy of the Ramones RAW DVD to give to a lucky
winner. This was a funny caption contest. Here is the pic and fans had
to
make up
a funny caption for what they thought Marky might be saying. The
closing
date of the contest was February 28, 2005 and the lucky
winner was Carlos A Claudio from Brazil. So he got RAW DVD. Marky
Ramone's Wrecking Crew.
(March 3, 2005)- Read great interview with Marky. It's in a Provogator.org netmag (Prague, Zcech). It's done during Marky's and Tarakany's tour in Europe in January. Read it here. They'll also have a Tarakany interview very soon up. (February 15)
- Marky Ramone was just at a Conshohocken recording studio laying down the classic I Wanna Be Sedated, with kids from the Paul Green School of Rock Music. The tune will appear on the soundtrack of Rock School, Don Argott's documentary film about Green and the pint-size rock stars he teaches. Deep Purple's Ian Gilliam is due here soon to record Highway Star with students for the soundtrack, which also will include songs from Jon Anderson of Yes, Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, and Alice Cooper. (January 17, 2005)
RICHIE RAMONE -NEWS: JANUARY 2005 - DECEMBER 2008
- Richie Ramone (Richard Reinhardt) has lost a lawsuit against the estate of late bandmate Johnny Ramone over outstanding royalties, after a judge threw the case out of court. Richie filed suit against Ramones' estate and the Ramones management company in September 2007, claiming he is owed 1 million US$ in unpaid cash for songs like Somebody Put Something In My Drink, I'm Not Jesus and I Know Better Now. Like most of you knows, Richie played four years in the band from 1983 to 1987. Richie said he never signed over the rights to six songs he wrote for the group that are currently available as internet downloads. But in a New York court on April 18, 2008, U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin ruled that Richie had signed a contract when he joined the Ramones, which clearly covered the digital use of his songs etc. (April 24, 2008)
- There was Joey Ramone Memory Birthday Bash at the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, NYC on May 19, 2008. You got chance to buy tickets from here (Ticketmaster site). Price of the ticket was 23.50 US$. Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh was again main organisator of the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. He wrote to me an E-mail that Richie Ramone will play at the Bash in 2008. Sadly a bit later arrived info that Richie Ramone had to cancel his appearance.
Richie Ramone played at the Bash once earlier in 2006.
Tommy Ramone confirmed for me on March 31, 2008 that he or Uncle Monk (band of Tommy and Claudia Tienan) doesn't play this year at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. Uncle Monk will be touring then elsewhere. More infos later. (Updated: April 23, 2008)
- Richie will be touring with symphony and pops orchestras also in 2009. Richie Ramone opened his official site. Check it out here. (September 19, 2007)
- I have informed you before that Richie is starting a new career as a drum soloist. Like he is touring with symphonies and symphonic pops orchestras around the world in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story etc. He has played now shows for example with the Pasadena Pops. One of the most notable performance was on July 4th 2007 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena California when Richie was featured soloist with the Pasadena Pops. He was playing a 20 minute drum solo medley of West Side Story, arranged with noted Broadway composer Ron Abel. Other recent dates were:
Fly Me to the Moon on June 22 and 23, 2007.
Water, Water Everywhere on July 20, 21 and 22, 2007.
76 Trombones with special Salute to Westside Story at beautiful Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, CA, USA on August 17, 18 and 19, 2007.
The performances has been conducted by noted Pops Music Director Maestra Rachael Worby. For example Maria Montoya-Kaye and her husband David attended one of the shows in August. They were really impressed. So Richie played drums in a specially arranged suite from West Side Story. Also on the program was for example Jean Sibelius' Finlandia and Franz Waxman's Theme from Peyton Place.
Richie has done also some interviews, for example for KABC AM on August 11, 2007. They played Somebody Put Something In My Drink and Smash You (those both Ramones songs are written by Richie Ramone), as well West Side Story. You can read Richie Ramone's interview in LA Weekly in August 15. Here you can watch one news clip which link Richie and his wife sent for me. (Updated: August 21, 2007)
- Richie Ramone made a long awaited appearance, he performed at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash this year with a line-up that included Joey's friends Andy Shernoff, Cheetah Chrome, and appearances by Tommy Ramone, Richie Stotts, George Tabb, Bebe Buell, Jean Beauvoir, Joey Lanz and Walt Stack from the Bullys, and many more guests... Read here basic infos of the event and here you can find report of my trip to the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. (June 10, 2006)
- Richie Ramone has turned up after a two-decade absence to speak for the animals! Read more of this subject here!
CJ RAMONE -NEWS: JANUARY 2005 - DECEMBER 2008
- CJ's band the Bad Chopper did play first shows since 2004 in July-August, 2008. They had tour in South America in August and the show in Buenos Aires was recorded for potential release on CD or DVD. Bad Chopper is not sure at this time which will see the light of day, but at least one of them surely will. (December 8, 2008)
- CJ Ramone played Ramones song I Believe In Miracles as a guest with Pearl Jam at the show at Madison Square Garden in New York, USA on June 24, 2008. Pearl Jam played 13 songs in three encores, I Believe In Miracles was played in second encore. You can see bootleg recording of that appearance here.
Pearl Jam has played many times I Believe In Miracles at live. Also Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder recorded it together with Zeke to the Ramones tribute album We're A Happy Family. Eddie Vedder inducted the Ramones into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame on March 18, 2002 and he also appearanced at last Ramones show on August 6, 1996 etc. (June 25, 2008)
- Dutch journalist Bram van Schaik did an interview with CJ Ramone for UP Magazine issue #44 in Netherlands. CJ tells in this interview that he is doing a book with his wife about his years with the Ramones. They hope to get book published in 2008. Read interview here. (February 24, 2008)
- The Bad Chopper finished recording their full length album in January 2007. And it was released in CD format in December 2007 (LP format February, 2008)! Album has 12 songs, and only 2 of them were officially released before. They recorded etc. songs together with "Ramones producer" Daniel Rey. They were doing artwork of the album with time etc. Album is released by Acme Records. More infos also in this location in my site. (Updated: February 24, 2008)
- CJ played in a heavy metal band called Axe Attack before he joined the
Ramones, Axe Attack recorded two albums. In Great Britain label was
Heavy Metal America. Band also used name Guitar Pete's Axe Attack.
Albums were called Dead Soldier's Revenge (1985) and Nightmare/Nitemare
(1986). In French album was titled Nightmare and it was released by
Axe Killer. In USA album was titled Nitemare and label was Napalm
Records etc. This photo from mid eighties is from Rockdetector
internet site. CJ is second from left. Click here
to read also mini bio of Axe Attack on Rockdetector. And click
here to see tracklistings of LP's and scans of covers.
(Updated: January 10, 2007)- The Continental club on St. Marks Place in New York closed it's doors on September 17, 2006, after 15 years. Trigger is owner of The Continental and he said that there will be grand re-opening on October 11, 2006 (9PM). Main difference is then that bands will not be playing anymore at The Continental. Joey, Dee Dee, Marky and CJ played there really many shows or did guest appearances. CJ Ramone was playing also on September 17, 2006. CJ and Daniel Rey performed full Ramones set with special guests. Like they played Commando, Blitkzrieg Bop, 53rd And 3rd, Poison Heart, Rockaway Beach, Beat On The Brat, Strength To Endure.... Walter Lure wrote to me in advance that he will perform with them probably some songs, and he did Chinese Rocks, Born To Lose (Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers) and the Last Time (Rolling Stones). Earlier on that same night also The Bullys, Lenny Kaye, Handsome Dick Manitoba, Ross The Boss etc. were playing. (October 1, 2006)
- For the past couple of years CJ has really concentrated on his kids. They're getting big now and he want to be around them all the time. That's why he haven't played much or done any touring. He told in May, 2005 that Bad Chopper CD was almost completed and it should come out by the end of this year (2005), or beginning of next year (2006) (Updated: December 23, 2005)
- CJ recorded song together with Bien Desocupados (Argentina) to the Todos Somos Ramones tribute album released by Rockaway Records/ Mariano Asch. (February, 2005)
- CJ Ramone was going to play four shows in South-America, but tour has been cancelled by the artist's own decision. More info here. (September 21, 2005)
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