Cleopatra Records
has published three pressings (blue, purple and red vinyls) of limited
edition
12' maxi vinyl featuring the final recorded studio performances
by Johnny Ramone.
Cleopatra Records' general manager Tim Yasui confirmed to me that first
edition of Johnny Ramone: The Final Sessions was released in 2014 even
there are some mentions in some places of January 2015. Color of that
12' vinyl is blue and it is pressed 500 copies.
Color of vinyl is purple in second pressing (also 500 copies) and that
was published on December 21, 2018. There is also red edition that
was published in 2020.
- We are pressed 500 red vinyl LPs (maxi) of Johnny Ramone: The Final
Sessions, wrote Cleopatra Records' Yasui to me in April 20,
2020.
Johnny Ramone: The Final Sessions 12' has songs Good Rockin' Tonight
and Viva Las Vegas. Those
songs were originally released in Swing Cats: Special Tribute to Elvis
(2000) album (buy Swing Cats: Special
Tribute to Elvis on Amazon). Johnny only plays on Good
Rockin' Tonight and Viva Las Vegas in that album. Songs were recorded in
July 1999. Viva Las Vegas is instrumental. Lemmy Kilmister sings on Good
Rockin' Tonight.
Line-up in 12' maxi:
- Johnny Ramone (guitar).
- Danny B. Harvey (bass).
- Slim Jim (drums).
- Lemmy Kilmister (vocals in Good Rockin' Tonight).
These two songs are also published as a 7'.
Italian record label Radiation Records released
Lemmy Kilmister & Johnny Ramone: Good Rockin' Tonight 7' single on April
21, 2018. Read more here.
Johnny Ramone's participation on Swing Cats: Special Tribute to
Elvis album was a surprise for many people, because Johnny
had been out of the music business and very quiet for years. These
songs are also known as the 'Johnny Ramone final sessions.'
Johnny was a big Elvis Presley fan. He had a great collection of
Elvis related items.
Johnny by the way was the bestman at Lisa Marie Presley's wedding to
Nicolas Cage. They both were good friends to Johnny and Linda in the
later part of Johnny's life. Also he was a good friend with Slim Jim.