On that page start my (Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone's) picture-story report of my second trip from Finland to Los Angeles, USA, during September 6-16, 2004. This picture-story report is featuring for example Ramones members Tommy Ramone, CJ Ramone and Marky Ramone, Ramones tour manager Monte Melnick, Ramones artistic director Arturo Vega, movie directors Doug Cawker and Allan Arkush, Daniel Rey, Frank Meyer, Rob Zombie, Pete Yorn and members of bands like Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bad Religion, Rancid, Dickies and Mighty Mighty Bosstones. The Ramones 30th Anniversary Party was on September 12 and host Rob Zombie called from the event to Johnny Ramone... Johnny passed away only three days later....
Main reason for me to go to Los Angeles was The Ramones 30th Anniversary Party, of it were confirmed news to public in early August, so there was no many weeks time to prepare... Year before I booked my flights to Los Angeles because Dee Dee Ramone memory birthday party, but it was cancelled..., and then there we fans rocked only smaller event, click here to read and see story of that trip.
I got nicely confirmed with Maria Montoya-Kaye and Doug Cawker that I can stay also this time in their houses. At first I was staying in Maria's house, there was also living her husband David and son Nathaniel. They were most of the time... really friendly for me and we had fun time. Maria is that punkrocker who helped me most with my second book: Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone.
PICTURE ON LEFT: On fourth day Maria and I had meeting with legendary Rodney Bingenheimer who is one of the best known disc jockeys in the world. His show on Los Angeles' KROQ-FM has been a hit since it's inception in late 1976, The Ramones played in his first show! And Rodney did show to me unreleased pics from it. Rodney was really nice and he also gave me some presents concerning Mayor Of The Sunset Strip, it's a documentary film based on the his life. We also did interview as we were planned, it was around 1 hour long. This picture of him and Maria is taken after the interview.
PICTURE ON RIGHT: There was On The Road With The Ramones book signing at Tower Records in Hollywood on September 11th at 5PM. From left to right: Frank Meyer who helped Monte Melnick to write a On The Road With The Ramones book, Tommy Ramone and I (Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone). Before event I was happy to meet and chat with many other Ramones fans. Like I was happy also see again Atsuko Katakiri, who is from Ramones Fan Club Japan, and she also introduced to me to Club president etc. I was E-mailed with Atsuko that we'll meet in Los Angeles. It was cool to meet as well new people. Gabba Hey for you all. After the signing I and Shazz Carrington were selling my second book Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone that was published on May 19, 2004. Randy Wisebrod also helped us. Shazz and Randy are from Canada and one of the greatest people I know. I was confirmed in advance via E-mail with Tommy Ramone (middle) that we'll meet there and so did happen. It was so big pleasure to meet him again. I also got now chance to give him my second book, it also contains interview with him. And also Main Man: A A Tribute To Dee Dee Ramon CD. Tommy told me he had seen me at Joey's 53 memory birthday party on May 19, 2004, but sadly we didn't met then.
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