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JANUARY 2009 - DECEMBER 2010

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RAMONES NEWS IN GENERAL: JANUARY 2009 - DECEMBER 2010

- Here is interesting article related to Ramones song I Don't Want You, which final version is released on Road To Ruin album. This article is released at The Huffington Post and is written by Yasi Salek on December 15, 2010.
Article is written of Henry Rollins show. Henry Rollins often alludes to certain rare and unreleased tracks from his personal collection that he is unable to ever play on the radio without breaking the trust and confidences of the people who have bestowed these various records and tapes upon him.
This is information of the I Don't Want You written by Yasi Salek in her article:
"This was one of the most arm-hair raising tracks of the evening for me. Apparently this tape was found in Johnny Ramone's closet after he passed away (Johnny was also a bit of a hoarder) and his wife, Linda, entrusted it to Henry. The tape contained an acoustic version with just guitars and vocals of the song I Don't Want You recorded by Joey Ramone and given to Johnny Ramone in order for him to learn the song. Joey's version sounds like it was recorded in his bathroom but is still incredible, and with one listen it was clear the released version (which is also awesome) belied some of the profound aching Joey poured into that song."
Also Henry told of the Dee Dee's (officially unreleased Dee Dee King demo song) The Goon. The Goon is not so rare to find:
"Henry pull out the original press release about the Dee Dee King album (pretty sure they referred to him as a "hip-hop genius") he also played us this track of an unreleased demo for a song called The Goon (sample lyric: "I'm an expert at rappin' with the yo yo/I'm rocking the mic like a psycho"). And now my jaw hurts from throwing itself the floor." (December 21, 2010)


- The Ramones' song I Wanna Be Sedated has been cited both by National Public Radio as one of the 100 Most Important Musical Works of the 20th Century and Rolling Stone Magazine as the 144th greatest song of all time. (December 6, 2010)

- Debut issue of Vive Le Rock (United Kingdom) music magazine is out now. It has interviews with Ramones members, and as well with The Cure, Eddie Cochran, Gang Of Four, Hank 111, The Sweet, Devils Brigade, The Ruts, Manic Street Preachers and more. Also you will get a free 14 track CD including Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg's song When We Were Angels. Order online to get a 2 free CD's at www.vivelepunk.net. I will get more detailed information soon. (Updated: November 23, 2010)

- There is released Poland 4 Ramones: Tribute To Ramones tribute album in Poland. Publisher/label are Poland 4 Ramones and MB-BLE. Album is mixed in MaQ Records. CD has 20 bands. Some of those bands had translated songs from English to Polish.
Main man behind this Polish tribute album is Boogie Ramone. As Boogie explains, Poland 4 Ramones title you can also understand as Poland For Ramones. See more details here.

- VANS - Off The Wall "1966" - A European Skateboard Movie is a special hardback book with a photo documentary from Percy Dean as well as a 21 track CD. The DVD is over 45 minutes and features 10+ of the best skaters in Europe (Alain Saavedra, Ben Grove, Chris Pfanner, Hugo Liard etc.)
The CD includes one Ramones song, live version of the Psycho Therapy. Also CD has bands/ songs like Stiff Little Fingers: Alternative Ulster, Sonic Youth: (I Got A) Catholic Block, The Specials: Ghost Town, NOFX: Leave It Alone, The Stooges: Down On The Street and Pennywise: No Reason Why.
VANS is an American based manufacturer of sneakers etc. and other shoe types catering primarily to the skateboarder/surfer/snowboarder youth market. VANS also has Johnny Ramone collection, it includes shoes, jeans, T-shirt etc. (October 11, 2010)


- Great, great news. Richie Ramone is putting together a band. Richie is also writing original songs. Richie has surprise members in his band (surprises to most of the fans). We will provide more details soon.
As many of you fans knows, Richie has written many great Ramones songs: Somebody Put Something In My Drink, I Know Better Now, I'm Not Jesus, (You) Can't Say Anything Nice, Smash You and Humankind. By the way, it's strange how on some official album covers the title Humankind is written Human Kind. (November 3, 2010).

- What kind of tattoo would you do next for Arto Nikkanen?
After the Volbeat show in Tampere, Finland, I met with Finnish Ramones fan Arto Nikkanen. He had really great Ramones tattoos. I only know few people whom back has this big Ramones tattoos.
A Russian Ramones fan Igor Checkryzhov (Igor Check), also has the first album pictured on his back etc. Later Igor tattooed faces of Richie, CJ and Marky to his back.
Arto Nikkanen (52 years old) asked from me ideas, what Ramones tattoo he would do next to his back? I thought to give you a chance to suggest. So what kind of tattoo would you do next for Arto Nikkanen? Send me your idea, click here. I promised to forward ideas for Arto.
I has included lot Ramones tattoos for my every book. For example I included for my Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives lot photos of CJ Ramone's tattoos I had taken of CJ without shirt, around 20 Ramones tattoos what fans has taken etc. Also photos of Dee Dee Ramone's tattoos. In addition to back tattoos, Igor Checkryzhov has the Greatest Hits cover on his right elbow, a Dee Dee Ramone photo from Greatest & Latest, Ramones zombies from We're a Happy Family tribute on his right shoulder etc. His tattoo is also a cover photo in Ramones: Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives. (October 29, 2010)


- Ramones' long time tour manager has created and released years ago really great On The Road With The Ramones book.
- A very special collectable hardcover edition of my book On The Road With The Ramones, will be available exclusively at Barnes & Noble book stores nationwide and online. It will be offered at a very special value price, ask for the hardcover edition, explains Monte Melnick.
Order special edition here.
Also there is available in October 2010, new German edition of Monte's book, German edition is titled Auf Tour Mit Den Ramones. Order German edition here: Auf Tour mit den Ramones(October 5, 2010).

- Ramones Museum Berlin celebrate its 2nd Anniversary on October 29-31, 2010. Special guests include Danny Fields (Ramones manager in early 70's), Arturo Vega (Ramones creative director), Monte Melnick (Ramones' long time tour manager) and George DuBose (official Ramones photographer and album cover designer etc.).
Events start every day 6PM. Free admission. Read more information here. (October 5, 2010)


- Tornado Ride Records (Italian label) will release soon The Martinets' album. The Martinets is Daniel Rey's band. Other members are Dave Rick (bassist), Eamonn Bowles (singer-guitarist) and Roger Murdock (drummer).
Daniel Rey produced Ramones album Adios Amigos, also produced Dee Dee Ramone's Zonked album, Joey's solo album Don't Worry About Me etc. Joey wanted to record also his other songs with Daniel in his final years. As well Daniel Rey wrote many songs together with Dee Dee and Joey to some of the Ramones albums etc. Songs like I Believe In Miracles, Poison Heart, Strength To Endure, Garden Of Serenity and Cretin Family. (October 4, 2010)

- Paul Zone's The New York Underground Scene 1972-1977 photograph exhibition is still "touring", and that is great. It is landed now to the Sugar And Spice gallery in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Opening night was on September 4, 2010. Address: Gasthuismolensteeg 8a, 1016 AN Amsterdam. The exhibition is till the first week of November, 2010.
There are many rare Ramones photos on that exhibition, like of Dee Dee Ramone and Connie Gripp in 1975 (see right). Paul Zone saw David Bowie premier Ziggy Stardust at Carnegie Hall, Iggy Pop & The Stooges at the Electric Circus in 1971, the first ever performances by The New York Dolls at the Mercer Arts Cente etc. Zone was friends with the Ramones members before the Ramones was even formed. Beside of Joey Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, Johnny Ramone and Tommy Ramone Paul Zone has photographed for example Stiv Bator, Blondie, Alice Cooper, Wayne/Jayne County, New York Dolls, Kiss, Suicide, Marc Bolan, Ray Davies... Homepage of the gallery is here. (Updated: September 16, 2010)

- Marky Ramone, Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead), Michale Graves (ex-Misfits, Marky Ramone's Blitzrieg), Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big etc.), Jeff Duncan (Armored Saint) and Andy Hilfiger are having performance together on October 8, 2010.
This is a special all-star concert as benefit for the newly created Marky Ramone Drum Scholarship for Musicians Institute at the Musicians Institute Concert Hall at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California, USA. Marky is mainman in this show. Setlist has around 30 Ramones songs, such as I Wanna Be Sedated, The KKK Took My Baby Away, Psycho Therapy, Blitzkrieg Bop and Pinhead.
"I am much honored to be chosen as an artist for the scholarship program. Music for kids is very important to have," explains Marky.
100 percent of the event proceeds will fund the newly created Marky Ramone Drum Scholarship for Musicians Institute.
Online advance sale: general-admission seats (festival seating) are US$30, VIP seating is US$45 (guaranteed first 3 rows) and US$99 VIP Backstage (first three rows seating guaranteed. Backstage pass; after-show meet-and-greet; special Marky Ramone gift bag etc.)
Go to Ticketweb.com to buy tickets.
Walk-up tickets (bought at the day of show): general-admission seats (festival seating) are US$35, VIP seating is US$50 (guaranteed first 3 rows), VIP Backstage not available.
Address:
Musicians Institute Concert Hall
1655 N. McCadden Place
Hollywood, CA 90028
(September 15, 2010)


- Shout! Factory (USA) has released new DVD version and first blu-ray version of the "Ramones movie" Rock And Roll High School. Some of Shout! Factory people are refugees from the Rhino Records label. Read more information and see listing of bonus material here. (August 12, 2010).

- Edward Bottger and his radio mate George Alley did to their podcast I'm Going to Kill You! an interview with PJ Soles. It begin with memories of "Ramones movie" Rock And Roll High School. PJ Soles acted as Riff Randell and she talks about her memories of making the movie, and the Ramones, especially of the Thanksgiving she spent with them. PJ also promoted Johnny Ramone event organised on July 25th. As well Edward and George interview PJ of other movies, she starred in movies like Carrie, Halloween, The Totally Girl etc. Listen show here. And here is main page of their podcast. (July 30, 2010)

- Marky Ramone claims he's getting screwed out his cut of the Ramones' royalties, and now Marky is trying to legally get what he thinks he deserves. In a documents in New York Supreme Court he refers to royalties deal in 2005. Somehow in 2008, the payouts stopped. Marky claims the people in charge of distributing royalties completely snubbed their 2005 contract, pocketing cuts of Ramones money that didn't belong to them, shafting Marky in the process. Marky Ramone has counted it is 175 000 US$, and over one million US$ in punitive damages. (July 19, 2010)

- Red Velvet Media's blogtalkradio has Ramones special on July 23, 2010, at 5PM USA Eastern Time/ 2PM USA Pacific Time. The guests are Tommy Ramone along with Ramones tour manager Monte Melnick. This is 1,5 hours long special also featuring surprise guest callers. This show is hosted by Holly Stephey and Rock Art Master Spencer Drate who is designer of some Ramones album covers. You can join show calling it: +1 347 677-1036. (July 19, 2010)

- The 1234 doo-whop/punk combo is from France and they recorded and covered 12 Ramones songs or songs what Ramones had covered. Ramones tribute album The 1234 Sing Ramones was released by French label Rock Paradise.
Doo-whop/ doo-wop became popular in 50's and 60's and it is a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music. Pop oriented style has smooth, consonant vocal harmonies. The 1234 has four members: Jacky Ramolli and Nano Ramolli are tenors, Bernardo Ramolli is baritone and Jesus Ramolli is alto.
Opening track She's The One is a great choice to doo-whop kind of style. The 1234 had lowered tempo in songs like I Wanna Be Sedated and in general it is pretty much version what they wanted to keep simple. Rockaway Beach is faster one in their rate. Most of the songs has frolicsome and as well tongue-in-cheek elements. The 1234 concentrated to early Ramones albums. Most new song is Daytime Dilemma (Dangers Of Love) from Too Tough To Die album.
You can listen samples on their MySpace page.
Rock Paradise is specialized to 50's and 60's music. Rock Paradise had released earlier for example albums by Chris Wilson (ex member of The Flamin' Groovies) and Tony Marlow. See more of Rock Paradise on their homepage and on their MySpace page. (July 14, 2010).

- In May 2010, I spoke with Trigger, owner of The Continental club on St. Marks Place in New York, USA. Trigger told he will have special re-union night once in a year also in future, in Sunday in mid January before Martin Luther Day. One was already on January 17, 2010. It was re-union night of "real" The Continental with artists who had played a lot at the Continental in past. In addition to CJ Ramone, Daniel Rey and Brant Bjork (they played as a trio) night also featured Cheetah Chrome (ex-Dead Boys), Walter Lure's band The Waldos, Lenny Kaye, Bebe Buell, The Bullys, Heap, Charm School, Two Man Advantage, Sea Monster and Trigger's Allstars.
Here I write a bit of The Continental history. Ramones members played a great deal at The Continental club. Joey Ramone had many of his special parties there and Dee Dee Ramone, Marky Ramone, and Dee Dee's wife Barbara Zambini, recorded a live show there in July 1997. The CD was released under the name Ramainz: Live In N.Y.C. Joey's very last full-length concert was at The Continental on December 11, 2000.... A memorial plaque dedicated to Joey was placed in the club. A lot of people were deeply saddened when The Continental closed their doors on September 17, 2006. CJ Ramone performed for the final night on September 17, 2006. CJ and Daniel Rey performed a full Ramones set with special guests like Walter Lure. Trigger said that as his rents and overhead went up each year, it became undoable to have a punk club in the neighbourhood these days - the crowd wasn't there to support it. For me and for many other people the authenticity of The Continental closed.
Even after the remodelling and re-opening of the new place with use of the same name, it is different from what it once was. At the grand re-opening on October 11, 2006, Trigger said the club will have a main difference, he will not have bands play anymore - only mainly acoustic shows and it is "trendy bar." In May 2010 it still was "trendy bar", Trigger told me he even has no acoustic shows anymore as not too many people attended those shows. (June 23, 2010)


- Coverlaydown has put together a collection of classic punk tracks covered in folk styles. It is titled All Folked Up: The Punk Rock Collection, Vol. 1. Among the acts covered are Ramones, Agnostic Front, Bad Brains, Black Flag, Blondie, Husker Du, The Stooges, The Clash, The Damned, The Jam, The Wipers and Wire. Coverlaydown had collected songs to their internet site. You can listen there of the Ramones songs I Wanna Be Sedated by Allo Darlin, Questioningly by Jesse Malin, Havana Affair (live) by John Frusciante, and Rockaway Beach (live) by Hamell On Trial and. Visit Coverlaydown site here. (June 17, 2010)

- Article in The Wall Street Journal written by Jacqueline Palank tells following...: "CBGB Holdings LLC, which two years ago purchased the name and copyrights associated with Manhattan's legendary punk-rock club CBGB, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Friday (June 11, 2010). The company, reported assets and debts each in the range of $1 million to $10 million in its bankruptcy petition, filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan.
CBGB Holdings. founding partners, James Blueweiss and Robert Williams, as well as the company's bankruptcy attorney, weren't immediately available for comment. The company didn't say in court papers why it filed for bankruptcy protection. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Blueweiss and Williams teamed up in 2008 to pay $3.5 million for all of the legendary club's intellectual property, which Hilly Kristal opened in 1973. Before the club shuttered in 2006, its stage hosted performances by the Ramones, Patti Smith, the B-52's, the Talking Heads, Debbie Harry of Blondie, Green Day and Pearl Jam.
Since CBGB Holdings purchased the defunct club's brand, they've donated memorabilia to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex NYC and have taken steps to revive the brand including signing a distribution deal to sell T-shirts featuring the club's well-known logo." (June 14, 2010)


- Max Cavalera has been active in music since 1984 when he formed Sepultura in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Over the course of his extensive music career, which led him to front Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy and release an album with side project Nailbomb, he's toured the world over innumerous times and with innumerous bands.
Metal Hammer asked from Max Cavalera what his five favorite tour moments have been so far. Max told as his tour highlight was tour with the Ramones in South-America in 1994. Next were: 2) tour with the Slayer, 3) tour with the Ministry, 4) tour with the Pantera and Morbid Angel and 5) tour with the Hatebreed.
See here video of Max telling his choices with comments (May 24, 2010)

- Ramones tour manager Monte A. Melnick wrote of John Giddings being honored as "International Agent Of The Decade" in IQ Magazine March 2010 Issue #28. Giddings worked with the Ramones 19 years. After hired as a junior agent to MAM Agency (thanks to Barry Dickins), John Giddings first worked with the Sex Pistols. Here are some quotes from article: "By 1977, the infamous "year of punk", Giddings had taken on The Adverts, X-Ray Spex and the Boomtown Rats; via Dickins' friendship with manager Linda Stein he began working with the Ramones, and via MAM agent Ian Wright came Iggy Pop, whose flatmate David Bowie also played in the band - both acts Giddings represents today."
"When he picked up The Stranglers, the learning curve steepened dramatically, and then the Ramones and Iggy took off in Europe."
Monte A. Melnick is quoted in that article: "The Ramones worked with John Giddings in Europe and then worldwide from their very early years all the way through their entire career. John being a consummate professional always understood the right venues and billings to put the Ramones on and the band and I appreciated this."
"I'll never forget the time we played a bullring in Madrid, Spain. Just before the show started the Spanish army marches out all armed with machine guns and forms a line in front of the stage (the Spanish promoter never mentioned this was going to happen). I turned to John and said, "this is the best stage security we have ever had at a Ramones' show!", explains Monte.
Some other artists with whom Giddings works (or worked) are The Cure, Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna... (April 4, 2010)

- The Ramones road manager Monte Melnick will be doing a live radio interview on Wednesday March 10th at 8PM on WTSR 91.3 FM http://wtsr.org on Randy Now's Capitol Garage program. The show is hosted by Randy "Now" Ellis who books The Record Collector in Bordentown, NJ, USA, where on March 12, 2010, Monte will be doing a powerpoint talk on the Ramones as a Q&A + book signing (Monte's and Frank Meyer's book is On The Road With The Ramones Also Andy Shernoff of The Dictators, The Master Plan etc. will be there. Andy will do live performance and he tells of his experiences as a spoken word appearance. You will read lot Andy Shernoff's Joey Ramone and Ramones related memories from my new book Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives, his interview on it is 5 pages long. (March 1, 2010)

- Linda Stein was found murdered in her Fifth Avenue (New York, USA) penthouse on October 30, 2007. Jury selection in the murder trial was finally started on January 10, 2010. Jurors had to fill out a basic questionnaire and asked if they were available for a two-month trial.
Through Linda Stein's marriage in to Sire Records founder Seymour Stein transformed herself from a fifth-grade teacher in the Bronx to Ramones manager (she was managing the Ramones with Danny Fields during the early years of the Ramones career) etc. Sire Records was the original record label for bands including the Ramones, Talking Heads, and Madonna. After Linda and Seymour divorced, she transformed herself again. She got her real-estate license and became a "real estate agent to the stars." Angelina Jolie, Sting, Madonna etc. were her clients.
Linda Stein was found beaten to death in her. She was left bludgeoned to death on the living room floor. Stein's personal assistant Natavia Lowery was arrested and charged with the 62 year old's murder after police noted she "made statements implicating herself". Lowery has given videotaped confession etc. During the trial, prosecutors are expected to argue that Lowery frequently stole money from her employers, including Stein, according to what was suggested in court. An argument, possibly over money, prompted Lowery to bludgeon her with a yoga stick, the suspect reportedly told police in the confession.
However, she later pleaded not guilty and denied all knowledge of Stein's death before blaming a masked man for the murder. If convicted, Lowery faces 25 years to life behind bars.
January 27, 2010, was written in New York Daily's article by Joanna Molloy:
"Linda Stein's accused killer wanted to meet famous people. Natavia Lowery wanted to meet Denzel Washington so badly she took $4,000 out of the rock 'n' roll Realtor's account to do so. "If you donated to the Boys & Girls Club," prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon explained, "you'd get two tickets to the premiere of 'American Gangster.'" Lowery did, and she went.
The irony was that Stein could have introduced her to virtually everyone in show biz. Lowery wanted famous? How about a singer you may have heard of - Madonna? Stein's record executive hubby, Seymour Stein, discovered her in a downtown club. He was printing money, but Linda was touring Europe as manager of The Ramones, and they had a bitter split.
- We were married, we were divorced, there were maybe three or four rocky years, and then we became friends again. We had a better friendship than the marriage. I loved her., Seymour Stein said in a court. (Updated: January 27, 2010)


- In celebration of their 20th anniversary, Swedish rockers and punkers - Backyard Babies - released in late 2009 Them XX collection. Them XX has a 120-page photo-book, 3 CD's plus 1 DVD. CD1 is "best of" disc. One of those 12 tracks is a song entitled Friends.
Many of you may already know that Joey Ramone recorded Friends with Backyard Babies which is believed to be Joey's last recording with any band. The song Friends was first released on the Backyard Babies album entitled Stockholm Syndrome in 2003. All of my books has some interviews with BB members. In my second book
Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone guitarist-singer Dregen explains longer of Friends and background of recordings. Like Joey was then already big fan of their song called Powderhead.
Them XX's CD3 begin with Pet Sematary. Swedish gentlemen recorded Ramones cover to The Song Ramones The Same tribute album (2002). CD's 2 and 3 has lot B-sides and rarities, live recordings etc.
Them XX's photo book has photo of Joey Ramone and bassist Johan Blomqvist. My latest book Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives has interview with Johan, it has also photos of Marky with a band in Sweden in 2005. Marky and I spent day-off and Backyard Babies were set to play a show that night. BB wanted Marky to be their special guest. At first Marky wasn't sure as he didn't know much about band, but soon changed his mind after I told him all about the band. In Finland Them XX was released by Spinefarm Records. (January 19, 2010)

- Die Toten Hosen is founded in 1982 and group is one of the most famous German rock bands. CJ Ramone (in his line-up were also Daniel Rey and Brant Bjork) supported five times Die Toten Hosen in his European tour in August, 2009. They had sold-out show with 22 000 people because of Die Toten Hosen, in Waldbuhne in Berlin. Die Toten Hosen recorded this Waldbuhne's show and of it was released lot of material in December, 2009. There is out now DVD and blu-ray (Machmalauter: Die Toten Hosen Live! [Blu-ray] [2009]).
Also release titled Machmalauter: Die Toten Hosen Live! is available as a double CD and double vinyl. DTH are long time Ramones fans and supporters. Of their Ramones related background you can for example read from my report of CJ's some shows and of this show in Waldbuhne. See here report of CJ's show and from here of Die Toten Hosen's show and of some of their Ramones related things. (January 15, 2010)


- Vive Le Punk! is one great net magazine which has lot punk, 80's hardcore, new wave stuff etc. This UK based site has many special reviews, interviews include chat with Dee Dee's ex-wife Vera of her book titled Poisoned Heart: I Married Dee Dee Ramone (The Ramones Years), The Chelsea Smiles (band of former D-Generation /Danzig guitarist Todd Youth, and ex-band of Dee Dee's guitarist Christian Martucci), and Social Distortion. Vive Le Punk! also lists interesting upcoming shows in the UK etc. Big Cheese Magazine magazine and site is runned by same people (including Eugene Butcher). Latest issue (#118) has interviews with Alexsonfire, Billy Talent, Slayer, HIM and The Living End. (January 8, 2010)

- There is information in some net stores (like Amazon.com) of The Ramones: American Punk Rock Band (Rebels of Rock) book being published on January 1, 2010 by Enslow Publishers (USA). Publisher wrote me: "Now it looks like this book won't be released until June 2010."
Author of The Ramones: American Punk Rock Band (Rebels of Rock) is Brian J. Bowe who is written in same (Rebels of Rock) series also Judas Priest: Metal Gods book.
So The Ramones: American Punk Rock Band is an different book than Ramones: An American Band what was published in 80's (author Jim Bessman). (January 8, 2010)


- Midway through the year 2010 (July), when you need a lift, take a ride with the Cheetah Chrome: A Dead Boy's Tale From The Front Line Of Punk Rock book.
Cheetah Chrome was a lead guitarist of the Dead Boys which became important part of the NYC punk scene in 70's, after moving to New York City at the encouragement of Joey Ramone, the Dead Boys quickly gained notoriety for their outrageous live performances. Few of their important songs are Sonic Reducer, Ain't Nothin' To Do, Not Anymore, (I Don't Wanna Be No) Catholic Boy and Ain't It Fun.
Cheetah Chrome: A Dead Boy's Tale From The Front Line Of Punk Rock book is Cheetah's autobiography. It will be released by the Voyageur Press. Following part is from the press release I got from Michele Lanci-Altomare: "Book is a tale of success-and excess: great music, drugs (he overdosed and was pronounced dead three times), and resurrection. Now, for the first time, Cheetah dishes on the people he's known onstage and off, including the Dead Boys' legendary singer Stiv Bators, Johnny Thunders of the New York Dolls/ The Heartbreakers, Ramones, The Clash, Pere Ubu, and the Ghetto Dogs, as well as life at CBGBs, a year with Nico..."
Cheetah is still active in punkin'. He also played at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash in 2004, 2006 and 2008. See in right one photo I had taken at the rehearse for Birthday Bash in 2006. (December 31, 2009)

- There are also plans to make an film of the book I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir. So movie is based to the book Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh and punk chronicler Legs McNeil wrote. I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir was released by Touchstone/Simon & Schuster on December 1st, 2009.
Mickey Leigh wants Johnny Depp to play Dee Dee Ramone in the film adaptation of this new book (see below). Mickey is convinced an unknown should play Joey Ramone in the biopic, which is currently in the hands of producer Rory Rosegarten, but he has a few suggestions for the supporting cast.
Mickey quips: "Maybe Howard Stern could play Joey. It's not up to me so I haven't really thought about it but, just for kicks... they're talking about an unknown... Maybe Adrien Brody - he's a tall skinny guy. I think Kevin Bacon would be great to play Johnny Ramone; he's a musician... and maybe Johnny Depp to play Dee Dee if he'd take on a small role."
Btw, sadly this news was spreaded widely to internet with a mistake (I do not know original source). It is: "...Mickey Leigh wants Johnny Depp to play Dee Dee Ramone in the film adaptation of his new book I Slept With JOHNNY Ramone." Of course it should be I Slept With Joey Ramone. (December 18, 2009)


- Max Cavalera (ex-Sepultura, Soulfly and Cavalera Conspiracy) told nicely about the Ramones to Live-metal.net.
Live-Metal.net: What has been your highest and lowest point of your career with Sepultura or Soulfly?
Max: Lowest was the death of [stepson] Dana [Wells] and the breakup of Sepulture, which happened both at the same time. That was the lowest point. At that time, I even thought about giving up music for a while..., just really depressive times. Highest ... I think with Sepultura it was the tour with the Ramones in Brazil. That was awesome. That was only five shows - it was the Chaos A.D. tour and the promoter decided to bring the Ramones to do five shows, co-headline, Sepultura and the Ramones. And it sold out, spread out like wildfire. And for me it was a legendary tour, touring with a legendary band like the Ramones, sharing the stage with them. They were real nice guys, really cool guys. That tour was great. It was in my country. And I played my hometown. I think the hometown show was probably the highest point. Five thousand people show up in my hometown, all Sepultura fans, so that was great. (November 24, 2009)

- I think this is nice memory and info piece to add to my news about Baby, I Love You song. It is common belief Ramones never did perform that ballad live, it is in many places as a fact. If you does read another Marky Ramone interview from my new book Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Marky Ramone mention not playing Baby, I Love You live at the concert before he did play it at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash in 2005, with Ronnie Spector, Al Maddy, and Andy Shernoff.
Jeff Wallace of The Phobics wrote me after reading my new book: "On page 40-41 of your latest book it is mentioned that the Ramones never played Baby, I Love You live. Well I was at the Rainbow Theatre 9th Feb 1980 with the Boys supporting when they did. The Boys' keyboard player, Casino Steele also played onstage with the Ramones for that song. I was there and I saw it. Marky must be getting forgetful in his old age."
It is understandable Marky or any people can't remember everything, and when Marky has played after 1980 at least 2500 shows. After adding this news piece on my site, also my memory was bad... Ulf Bendiksen of The Yum Yums reminded me of a bootleg what I also know thanks to Arne-Johan Martinsen. Ramones: Live In Oslo 1980 has that live song. And also Peter Trenholm (UK) wrote: "I have a cassette bootleg of a gig with them playing Baby, I Love You - I can't remember the venue or date. It's not great, so I expect that's why it wasn't repeated often."
So probably Baby, I Love You had played only in some shows of End Of The Century tour. (Updated: November 18, 2009)


- Slam Magazine is Austrian based music magazine and it's Rock Classics: Ramones special issue was released on October 28th, 2009. It has 132 pages (in German language), rare photos and interviews, four posters and a 12 song CD entitled The Roots Of The Ramones. Read more of the issue here.
Ramones Museum Berlin will celebrate this special issue, they has Rock Classics - Ramones: The Magazine & The Party night on November 14, 2009. That night has also open stage for Ramones cover bands etc. Event begin at 8PM (20.00). (November 10, 2009)

- Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh and punk chronicler Legs McNeil has been writing for many years authorized bio of the Joey called I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir. I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir is explained to be the story of the Ramones and the rise of punk music, and a touching memoir about brotherhood from Joey Ramone's brother. READ LATEST NEWS OF THIS BOOK HERE
Earlier infos: Mickey wrote in spring 2008: "You gotta wait a little longer. I want this book to be great. There were so many incredible stories it's been hard to cut it down. The rough manuscript I finished last year was 770 pages long. I am finally doing the final editing and book will be out in 2009 by Touchstone/Simon & Schuster."
Legs McNeil wrote in October 28, 2008, that book is hysterically funny, and also a tragic read - just like is his earlier book Please Kill Me. Mickey Leigh wrote to me in late June, 2009, that book is schedule to come out on December 1, 2009.
* December 1, 2009, in official release date at 7PM, Barnes & Nobles Booksellers (Barnes & Noble Tribeca, 97 Warren St., NYC.) hosts the launch of book. Legs McNeil will interview then Mickey Leigh, there is also Q&A and book signing to the fans.
* December 12, 2009: Mickey and Legs will do book signing etc. also at the This Ain't Hollywood in Hamilton, Canada.
So the rough manuscript Mickey had, was 770 pages long. Final version is hardcover and it has 416 pages. You can pre-order this book for example from Amazon.co.ukor from Amazon.com (Updated: October 22, 2009)


- Slam Magazine is Austrian based music magazine and it's Rock Classics: Ramones special issue was released on October 28th, 2009. It has 132 pages (in German language), rare photos and interviews, four posters and a 12 song CD entitled The Roots Of The Ramones with tracks from bands like the New York Dolls, MC5, Iggy & The Stooges, The Troggs and The Flamin' Groovies.
Rock Classics: Ramones special issue has interviews with or stories of every Ramones members, Roberta Bayley, George DuBose, Ed Stasium, Daniel Rey etc. Also quotes from or interviews with Campino of The Die Toten Hosen, Bela B of The Die Ärzte, Mille Petrozza of The Kreator, Mike Ness of The Social Distortion, Jon Spencer, Ramones tribute band Rämouns, and also longer interview with me (Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone). I also gave photos for Slam Magazine's special issue, and also it has photos by people like George DuBose, Roberta Bayley, Gaston Sanchez and Javier Sanchez etc.
See more details of this special issue here. Rock Classics: Ramones issue is available at newsagents throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland or directly from Slam Magazine: 11 euros ordered from Europe and 15 euros ordered outside of Europe. Prices contains postages and PayPal charges. Orders from: office@slam-zine.com (October 28, 2009)

- The Proud Galleries (United Kingdom) has collection of limited edition Ramones prints by photographers from Ian Dickson to Lisa Kristal and Adrian Boot to Roberta Bailey. With prices starting at 250 UK pounds. They are exhibiting a few special images of the Ramones in their Best Of Proud collection. You can pop down to Proud Camden in London to take first look whilst enjoying their outstanding venue adorned by rock royalty throughout. The Proud Galleries is one of the most popular privately-owned photographic galleries in the UK. Visit their site (October 28, 2009)

- Around fifteen years ago (November 12, 1994) the Ramones were in Curitiba, Brazil, playing for more than 45 000 people at Pedreira Paulo Leminski. To celebrate this show will happen a great event called Curitiba Ramones Day. It will be a cool meeting of Ramones' fans, that have gone or not to the show in 1994. There will be exhibition of a gigantic collection with posters, Ramones dolls/figure action, 7' singles, 12 inches and LP's, books, DVD's, drum sticks, CD's, tapes, shirts and much more. Show with Ramones For Fun and lot videos. Helio Volpato wrote me event being at the Vox Bar, Curitiba, Brazil at 9PM on November 12, 2009. (October 21, 2009)

- Rämouns formed in Germany, has given Ramones spirit with their Ramones tribute shows around 10 years now. And now the world can listen their symbiosis of the godly pop-melodies of the Beach Boys and the shock treatment and fantastic energy of our the Ramones. Rämouns recorded Rockaway Beach Boys release and it is released by Wolverine Records on October 9th, 2009. The CD contains 12 Beach Boys songs played in a Ramones style, songs like Surfin' Safari, Do It Again, I Get Around, and Help Me Rhonda.
Rockaway Beach Boys is available in German stores and also at Amazon, iTunes and Napster. Check out few songs here. (October 20, 2009)


- The fifth annual Johnny Ramone and Ramones outdoor event presented by Linda Ramone in association with the JRA (Johnny Ramone Army), was held again. It was in a memory of Johnny Ramone on Saturday October 3rd, 2009 at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (6000 Santa Monica Blvd.) in Los Angeles, CA, USA. See more infos with many photos taken by me here.
Sole survivor of the original Ramones line-up, Tommy Ramone, and CJ Ramone both were on hand to celebrate Johnny's legacy. Special homage was also paid to Dee Dee Ramone. Original paintings by Dee Dee were exhibited on site in an art show curated by his wife, Barbara Zampini (Ramone).
Songs from a full-length, "It's Alive" Ramones concert at the Rainbow Theatre in London on December 31, 1977, was screened outdoors, after dark on a 24-foot mausoleum wall (as in Hollywood Forever's summer film program Cinespia). The double feature concluded with the world premiere of the 1968 cult classic movie Night Of The Living Dead in 3D. Live broadcast was at 98,7FM, Complete Control Radio. Television channel E!'s "That Morning Show" had in advance an interview with Johnny's wife Linda and actress Rose McGowan, they had a discussion of the Ramones and Johnny in general, of this event. Click here to see it. (Updated: October 12, 2009)

- Finnish band Children Of Bodom has created aggressive metal music since 1993. Children Of Bodom released single You're Better Off Dead! in 2002, and it's B-side is Ramones cover Somebody Put Something In My Drink. Children Of Bodom released Skeletons In The Closet cover album in September, 2009, and it also has Somebody Put Something In My Drink. Band is fronted by singer-guitarist Alexi Laiho and you can read his Ramones fan story from my second book Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone. In a promo letter of Skeletons In The Closet Alexi Laiho tells: "Ramones fucking rule and even though some people might not like their 80's era, I do, and we know how to drink so this one suites us pretty good. One of my favorites on this album. This one's for Joey, bottoms up!"
Skeletons In The Closet has 17 songs, for example following tunes: Hellion (W.A.S.P.), Hell Is For Children (Pat Benatar), Aces High (Iron Maiden), Looking Out My Backdoor (CCR), Silent Cream (Slayer) and Oops I Did It Again (Britney Spears). (October 6, 2009)


- On The Road With The Ramones book was released first time on November 20, 2003. On The Road With The Ramones book is written by Monte A. Melnick (Ramones tour manager from the beginning) and Frank Meyer (Street Walkin' Cheetahs, Sweet Justice etc.). There was released Spanish Edition on September 1, 2009. Spanish publisher is Munster Records & Books. The end of September Monte will be going to Spain to do special press events and in store book signing appearances. He has following signing appearances:
September 29th, 2009: Forum Fnac-Callao, Madrid, Spain at 7PM.
September 30th, 2009, Fnac-Triangle, Barcelona, Spain at 7PM.
(Updated: September 16, 2009)

- Skinny Bones is a familiar name for many Ramones fans. He has Ramones related background with many ways. The Ramones recorded and released three songs Marky Ramone and Skinny Bones wrote together: Anxiety and The Job That Ate My Brain in Mondo Bizarro and Have A Nice Day in Adios Amigos.
Skinny Bones also did some songs together with Dee Dee Ramone. One of those songs will be included in Shot My TV album by Skinny Bones And The Gonedaddys. Great Italian labels will release Shot My TV, the Nicotine Records will release CD and Tornado Ride Records LP version. CD comes out on September 15, 2009.
- Shot My TV has 12 original songs written by me and a bonus track Nothing Is Innocent. Dee Dee wrote words and I wrote music of Nothing Is Innocent. It was Joey Ramone's favourite of songs I wrote with Dee Dee, explained Skinny Bones to me on September 10, 2009.
As a background info I wanna also mention, that Skinny played in many Resistance shows. In early 90's, Joey put together Resistance so he could speak freely about his true political thoughts. Al Maddy explains lot of Resistance in my new book Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives. Also Skinny Bones was first singer in Marky Ramone And The Intruders, and he wrote many songs together with Marky to Intruders debut album. Soon after he was replaced by Todd Youth. Todd Youth quit from Marky's band and Skinny Bones came back for a while.
Remember to check out new Skinny Bones And The Gonedaddys album Shot My TV (September 11, 2009)


- There is an new Ramones tribute CD released, this time in Czech Republic. Ramones Tribute: Bohemia * Moravia * Silesia * Slovakia, is released by Cecek Records in Czech Republic in July, 2009. It has thirteen songs, like Kaktus cover The KKK Took My Baby Away, Zhoda Nahod cover Strength To Endure and The Fialky cover I Need Your Love. See more infos here. (Updated: September 4, 2009)

- I think this is fun news to write a bit. Andy Warhol was famous artist, film maker etc. He passed away in 1987. There was hired with 600 000 US$ from the Andy Warhol Foundation and several other smaller grants, to sift through 610 cardboard boxes, filing cabinets and even a shipping container filled with what would be considered junk by most people but has a whole different meaning since it was collected by pop artist Andy Warhol.
In the 18 months since the project began, the archivists have opened 177 boxes - each with an average of 400 items, some with as many as 1,200. Cataloger Marie Elia found a Ramones' single signed by Joey Ramone to Andy Warhol.
Some other pretty exciting items found are for example 1) a mummified human foot belonging to an ancient Egyptian, 2) the orange nutbread sent to Warhol by one of his Pittsburgh area cousins with a note telling him to enjoy it with a cup of coffee, 3) a piece of crusty wedding cake (whose?), 4) one box had 17,000 US$ in cash, 5) an autographed picture of a naked Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
They have six years to comb through everything from taxi cab receipts to fan mail, meticulously cataloguing, photographing and, when possible, researching the often bizarre items before entering them into a database. "The only rooms that looked like a normal house were the bathroom and the kitchen," says Matt Wrbican, who has been going through the artist's things since 1991. Read here whole article at Canadian CBC News. (September 2, 2009)

- CJ Ramone will have meet and greet and signing session at Ramones Museum Berlin on August 28, 2009.
Ramones Museum Berlin has first anniversary event on October 16-17, 2009. It is Dee Dee Ramone special with guests, Ramones creative director Arturo Vega and Paul Zone. More infos here. (August 14, 2009)

- The Ramones are prominently featured in MasterCard's new Legends campaign running nationwide in the USA now through August 31st, 2009. The campaign includes a new TV spot that features classic scenes of pop culture icons in jeans - from Marilyn Monroe and Marlon Brando to the Ramones. The voiceover questions whether they might look better in different styles, but fittingly concludes "The perfect pair of jeans: Priceless."
The Ramones footage was taken from the legendary Its Alive concert filmed on New Years Eve 1977. Although not seen in the TV spot, Tommy Ramone is indeed on drums behind Johnny, Joey & Dee Dee on the frontline. John Wayne was one of Johnny Ramone's heroes. It would have meant a lot to him to be recognized as a true American icon.
Click here to view the spot online through August 31, 2009. (August 3, 2009)


- Arturo Vega (www.ramonesworld.com), who was the lighting director and art designer for the Ramones etc., has joined again famous Warped Tour in the USA and Canada. Arturo Vega joined Warped Tour also in 2006 and 2008. He had awesome exhibition of the Ramones memorabilia in 2006, and especially lot of Dee Dee Ramone related stuff (paintings etc.) in 2008.
This time (2009) you will have chance to check out the awesome CBGB 360' virtual tour, and the Ramones at CBGB photo exhibit. Go and visit Arturo and Molly at their Ramonesworld & CBGB tent in Warped Tour. You has chance to buy especially all kind of Ramones T-shirts etc. Warped Tour started on June 26, and it last to August 23, 2009.
You can see in photo in right Arturo Vega, and Wyan Eko singer-guitarist of Sneakers and ex-Morons. Wyan Eko is from Indonesia. Wyan is a crew member of band from Bali, Indonesia in Warped Tour . Band is Superman Is Dead. Wyan sent me this photo. His text is also included in my Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives book. (July 2, 2009)


- At the Crawdaddy! magazine site, was just posted an longer article taking a look back at the Ramones' Acid Eaters album. Check it out here. (June 8, 2009)

- Phoenix Books & Audio company released officially on June 1, 2009 book called Poisoned Heart: I Married Dee Dee Ramone (The Ramones Years) by Vera Davies (writer name: Vera Ramone King). SEE HERE MAIN SECTION ON MY SITE OF THIS BOOK.
Vera had a book signing at the Barnes & Noble store in SOHO Tribeca at 7PM on June 8, 2009. Next day, June 9, 2009, Vera was at Marky Ramone's radio show called Marky Ramone's Punk Rock Blitzkrieg on Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 28.
So book came out normally even in mid April, 2009, was told, release might be postponed or cancelled, because executor of Dee Dee Ramone's estate has gone to court to stop publication of a book. Ira Herzog says Vera violated an agreement to let him review and change anything she wrote about the bassist.
Anyway book is now released, and it has lot great photos. It is not written "sensational" way as might had gotten impression because of some promotional lines published announced in advance. Following are basic infos, 75 % of these I had wrote before new turn. Some of these has also my thoughs:
In 1977, Dee Dee met Vera. Dee Dee had wild life going on and they were very rough times. Probably both also gave to each other hard time. Vera was much more stable anyway. There are lot sad stories to tell. Also of course lovely ones. But after book was promoted with "USA's scandal story way", I did not knew do I wanna hear them as I would put it this realistic way: "If Vera simply tells the truth, I am sure somebody will accuse her saying nasty things."
Many also thinks how Dee Dee without Vera would have got a call from heaven earlier. That is also realistic. Anyway they loved each other very much and they were married in 1978. Many times Dee Dee would succumb to his bad habits and would have to struggle to get back on track again. Dee Dee quit the Ramones in 1989. One month earlier Dee Dee's and Vera's ways were separated (even they officially divorced many years later in 1995). Dee Dee moved to England and then to Amsterdam to clean himself up. Vera forbid Dee Dee to write about her in his books even though they had been married for so many years.
Vera has told, psychic reader called Linda Drake merely passed on the information from the other side by channelling Dee Dee. Book progress started going on that way...
Anyway Vera toured extensively with the Ramones, living the punk era firsthand. Book has more than 50 never-before-published photos of the Ramones. Vera Ramone King pays tribute to her late husband, revealing what it was like to live with and love a heroin addict and the genius behind the Ramones. Poisoned Heart: I Married Dee Dee Ramone (The Ramones Years) has 256 pages and it is an hard cover book. Nowadays Vera lives in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
Dee Dee's mother writes in a back cover of the book:
"I'll always be grateful to Vera and thank her for loving and taking such good care of my son for so many years. Her story tells it all and this final tribute to Dee Dee will keep his legacy alive long after he's gone. I know he's smiling down from heaven."
Many of you fans does remember Keith Green and his classic Dee Dee Ramone photos from 1993. Keith Green wrote to me that one of those his photos of Dee Dee on the balcony with guitar in Chelsea Hotel is included to Vera's book. Also Keith wrote that his five never-before-seen portraits of Vera in 2007 are featured on the insides. Keith writes in back cover following:
"Vera truly peels back the curtains in her exciting yet tumultuous memories while reliving the wild side of the '70s punk extravaganza through the eyes and heart of a punk bride. A real lesson in passion and survival." (Updated: June 10, 2009)

- April 2009 issue of SPIN Magazine (UK) has pretty extensive feature of numerous amounts of Ramones tribute releases and Ramones cover album releases. SPIN staff sent me some links. This first link goes to their feature in this month's issue, and link goes to that Ramones tribute/cover release article (it is 3 pages long).
More smoothly you can check out article, by clicking this link. You can check out which are: 1) Tribute with the greatest number of '80s punk legends performing in nonlegendary '90s punk bands, 2) Least pleasant reinventions, 3) Most disappointing tribute, 4) Most poorly translated tribute....
Article and feature is composed by Mark Prindle. He had also his site already in 1990's, I remember adding his link to my site around 1997-1998. (April 15, 2009)


- Ramones is in Rolling Stone Cover in Japan! Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, CJ Ramone and Marky Ramone got a cover inthe Rolling Stone mag in Japan in April, 2009. Marky Ramone said how he is very happy that the Ramones are at last on the front cover of the Rolling Stone magazine. This is the first time they got it! Read more here. (April 9, 2009)

- MxPx is a punk rock and skatepunk band formed in the Bremerton, Washington, USA. MxPx was founded in 1992. MxPx released On The Cover EP in 1995. Now Tooth & Nail Records released on March 24, 2009 On The Cover 2 by MxPx. It has 80's covers and one of them is Ramones cover Bonzo Goes To Bitburg (My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down). Some other covers are Punk Rock Girl (Dead Milkmen), (I'm Gonna Be) 500 MILES (The Proclaimers), Should I Stay Or Should I Go (The Clash) and I Will Follow (U2). Version of Queen's Somebody To Love (1976) is the only song on the record not from the 80's.
My third Ramones memory book is coming out in May, 2009, and it contains interview with Tom Wisniewski of the MxPx. Buy On The Cover II(March 26, 2009)


- According to Unicef, in the last decade 10 million children were traumatised by war. War Child International is a network of independent organisations, working across the world to help children affected by war. War Child was founded upon a fundamental goal: to advance the cause of peace through investing hope in the lives of children caught up in the horrors of war. War Child works in many different conflict areas around the world, helping hundreds of thousands of children every year.
War Child: Heroes is an new album to benefit children affected by war. Organision asked fifteen icons of music to select a favourite song from their classic back catalogue, and to nominate the new act they most trust to create a unique interpretation of that hand-picked track. From the Ramones was chosen song Sheena Is A Punk Rocker, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs got an honour to record it. The Clash song Straight To Hell is recorded by Lily Allen feat. Mick Jones, Elvis Costello's You Belong To Me by The Like, Blondie's Call Me by Franz Ferdinand and Iggy Pop's Search And Destroy by Peaches and U2's Running To Stand Still by Elbow etc. War Child: Heroes has fifteen songs in all.
Here are some Release dates: February 16 in UK (Parlaphone), February 18 in Finland (Parlaphone/EMI), February 24 in USA (by Astralwerks), March 3rd Canada (Quebecor Records). Buy this from Amazon.co.uk or from Amazon.com. support their work with children living in the world's most dangerous war zones. . (February 24, 2009)


- If you does listen BP Fallon's Wang Dang Doodle show on BreakThruRadio net radio, you can hear a bit Joey and Dee Dee Ramone's interview from 1985. You find it here. Like you can listen to Joey tell it how it was for him as the young glam rock outcast in Queens, NYC. Show is long and there is no much of the Ramones, but that Joey's longer part starts after 17,5 minutes in that interview.
Mexican punkrock magazine named Marvin has about Ramones having 35 years anniversary, that issue 68 (February 2009 issue) has Ramones related leather imitation of it's cover. (February 21, 2009)

- Sorry that I forgot to add info of Little Steven's Underground Garage Christmas A Go-Go collection to my site before Christmas 2008. Little Steven's Underground Garage Christmas A Go-Go was released already in October, 2008 and I got it as a Christmas gift from Alfredo Cordeiro and Anna Piella and their dorother Helena.
Christmas A Go-Go collection has 20 songs. Third song is Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight) by the Ramones. It also has Hey Santa Claus by the Chesterfield Kings, Santa Drives A Hot Rod by The Brian Setzer Ochestra, Santa's Coming Home by Cocktail Slippers, Merry Christmas (To All Of The World) by Jean Beauvoir, Run Rudolph Run by Keith Richards etc. (February 17, 2009)


- I have wrote many times before of Marky Ramone's radio show called Marky Ramone's Punk Rock Blitzkrieg on Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 28. You can listen it nowadays also on XM Satellite Radio's channel 52. Show runs every Tuesday at 5PM (West coast time in the USA) and at 8PM (East coast time in the USA). Show re-plays 5 hours after the original airing again on XM.
Weekly show lasts two hours and Marky does play beside of the Ramones songs also music that he likes and which influenced the Ramones. Marky has also guests in his show. Tommy Ramone will be guest on his show on February 17, 2009. (February 11, 2009)

- There were told in 80's that Phil Spector who produced Ramones album End Of The Century in 1980, was held the Ramones members at gunpoint during End Of The Century recording sessions. Like Dee Dee Ramone claimed Spector levelled a pistol at his heart when he threatened to quit the studio. Marky Ramone told while ago in NME interview following: "There were no guns pointed at anybody. They were there but he had a licence to carry. He never held us hostage. We could have left at any time. We had the keys." (January 7, 2009)

- Lux Interior (Erick Lee Purkhiser), founding member and lead singer of The Cramps passed away in February the 4th, 2009, in Glendale, California from a pre-existing heart condition. The Cramps formed in the early 70's. Interior along with his wife Poison Ivy (Kristy Wallace) are credited with creating the psychobilly sound by being the first to blend punk and rockabilly. The Cramps played lot at the CBGB together with the Ramones, Patti Smith Group, Blondie, Television in 70's etc. Later Lux Interior for example appeared in Dee Dee Ramone's Zonked/ Ain't It Fun album. The Cramps was still active when Lux Interior passed away.
Alex Crank was last vocalist in the Marky Ramone And The Intruders band which was active in late 90's and early 2000's. He was also the first guitar player of Lourds. Alex Crank passed away in December, 2008. Alex was suffering from ALS for the past 7 years, and that was reason why he passed away. (January 6, 2009)

- Rock Reader Books published book called Ramones: Interviews on January 5, 2009. It is compiled and edited by John D. Luerssen. Luerssen has picked many classic Ramones articles and interviews and compiled them wisely from seventies and also happily many good ones from 1980-1988. Later years are not covered so well.
Book is in English. Printed book and eBook both has 244 pages. There is around 110 pages published interviews only from seventies. First you can read three pages long Know Your New York Bands: The Ramones article by Alan Betrock from Soho Weekly News in 1975. It has interview mostly with Tommy Ramone about their background, influences, attitude etc. and also live review. Tommy Ramone stated Ramones attitude this way: "We play short songs and short sets for people who don.t have a lot of spare time."
Next is extensive and fourteen pages long New York: The Sound Of '75 article by Charles Shaar Murray. It was published in NME music magazine on November 8, 1975. It is one kind of pre-article about Ramones and Blondie shows at Performance Studio on the Lower East Side in New York and widely about New York scene and different bands.
As well this book compiled and edited by John D. Luerssen has for example articles from Punk Magazine, Zig Zag, NME and Creem. There are interviews related to the shows in UK in 1976 and 1977, article which contains early biographies of every original member etc. Interview from Sounds on May 27, 1978 by Peter Silverton start about Marky getting to band and Tommy leaving.
Cynthia Rose is behind of following interviews: The Ramones: The Thinking Men Of Pop article in NME on November 21, 1981, Pal Joey article in NME on April 16, 1983, The Ramones: If All Men Were Brudders article in Creem on September, 1983 and The Ramones: Now I Wanna Play My Five-Iron!! in NME on November 10, 1984.
For many fans the most special piece is Christine Natanael's 25 pages long discussion with Joey Ramone on February 3, 1989. Christine writes in opening text: "Interview was conducted under the auspices of promoting the album Brain Drain, but due to the ignorance of my editors at the time, was never published anywhere. It's more like a conversation than an interview, which is how it always went with Joey. I've decided to give you the entire transcript here, as a tribute to my friend Joey Ramone."
Only interview or article from 90's is interview with Joey Ramone in Mojo on August, 1999. This book has no any mention of studio albums Halfway To Sanity (1987), Mondo Bizarro (1992) and Acid Eaters (1993), and only few comments of Adios Amigos (1996). Tommy Ramone's interview with James Hurley is stated to be made for MSN U.K. in 1999, but it is made in 2007 because It's Alive 1974-1996 was published then and interview promoted that.
With Johnny Ramone is extensive interview of later years by Maggie St. Thomas, it was published in LiveWire, November 17, 2001. So especially interviews and articles from 1975-1988 are composed well for this book and fans get lot good information. You can buy book here. (January 20, 2009)


- Music business veteran Gary Kurfist passed away on January 13, 2009, while vacationing in Nassau, the Bahamas. He was 61. Gary Kurfist started working in music business already in 60's. He was a manager, promoter, publisher etc. Especially Gary was known of managing Talking Heads, Blondie, also some years the Ramones, the B-52's etc. Gary Kurfist and Ian Flukes founded Radioactive Records in 1990. Radioactive Records has released records from the Ramones, Live, Black Grape etc. Radioactive Records was USA label for the Ramones in 90's.
Seymour Stein is a vice president of Warner Bros. Records and a co-founder of Sire Records, original and long lasting label of the Ramones. He wrote this of Gary Kurfist:
"Gary was brilliant in his ability to spot changes in music ahead of most people and had the courage to act on his instincts. Gary was tough, but not cutthroat in business. He could fight hard, but fair and never held grudges. Gary had great style. Certainly one of the best and most successful relationships I ever enjoyed with a manager, working together on Talking Heads, the Ramones or Deborah Harry. Can honestly say he will be surely missed.", wrote Seymour Stein.
Johnny Ramone's wife Linda Ramone has put for example this for Johnnyramone.com:
"He was managing the Talking Heads and a myriad of other influential bands at various times throughout their careers including Blondie, the B-52's and, more recently, Shirley Manson of Garbage. Gary was more than a manager, he was a friend.", Linda Ramone. (January 18, 2009)

- Thomaxe is punkrocker and writer of NY Waste and Loud Fast Rules etc. Thomaxe celebrate his 30th birthday party by organising Escape From New York - The Best Of NY Scene event on February 5, 2009. Event is in memory of Dee Dee, Joey and Joey Ramone, Johnny Thunders, Stiv Bators, Jerry Nolan, Arthur Kane, Ron Asheton, Jeff Salen, Richie Lure, Billy Rogers, Johnny Heff... Escape From New York - The Best Of NY Scene event is at the Don Hill's (511 Greenwich St. at Spring St, New York, USA). Tickets are 10 US$.
Schedule:
6:30PM Skinny Bones & The Gonedaddys
7:15PM New York Junk
8:00PM The Martinets (band of Ramones producer Daniel Rey etc.)
8:45PM The Bullys
9:30PM Electric Frankenstein
10:15PM Walter Lure And The Waldos
11:00PM Cheetah Chrome & The Blackhearts
(January 12, 2009)


- Manfred Meyer was one main security chief to the Ramones on their many European tours from 1989-1996. Manfred Meyer passed away because of cancer on January 6th, 2009. Manfred was only 54 years old. Long time Ramones fan (and man behind of Loudmouth! Ramones fanzine etc.) Jörg Buscher wrote to me: "He looked strong and was strictly person in his job (what is a must for doing such a job he did as a security chief), but when you knew him, he had a great heart and always been friendly and helpful. RIP." (January 11, 2009).

- There is in many internet's music stores listed album called The Ramones: The Family Tree. It is released in December, 2008. Album is released by Music Brokers, that label has roots in Argentina. Great Argentinean fan named Mariano Asch compiled this. He wrote for me background of compilation, read his interview and see tracklisting here. (Updated: January 5, 2009)










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