Ramones news

Current news:

Past news items that have been posted here:

Dee Dee Ramone: September 18, 1952 - June 5, 2002

As reported on Yahoo.com......

Dee Dee Ramone Found Dead in L.A.

Thu Jun 6, 4:59 PM ET

By JEFF WILSON, Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Dee Dee Ramone, a founding member of the pioneer punk band the Ramones, was found dead of a possible drug overdose in his Hollywood home, the coroner's office said Thursday. He was 50.

Ramone, whose real name was Douglas Glenn Colvin, was found dead on the couch by his wife when she returned home at 8:25 p.m. Wednesday, said Craig Harvey, operations chief for the coroner's office. Paramedics were called and he was declared dead at 8:40 p.m.

"The investigator noted drug paraphernalia, including a single syringe on the kitchen counter, and we are handing it as a possible accidental overdose," Harvey said.

The coroner's office did not say what drug was suspected of causing Ramone's death. An autopsy was planned. In his autobiography, "Lobotomy: Surviving the Ramones," Ramone had written of his struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.

The official Ramones Web site said: "Our brother Dee Dee died last night, June 5, 2002, at his home in Los Angeles, California."

The death came 11 weeks after the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

"I'd like to congratulate myself, and thank myself, and give myself a big pat on the back," Ramone, the band's bassist, joked at the time. "Thank you, Dee Dee, you're very wonderful."

He had often feuded with fellow band members, eventually quitting the group in the late '80s to launch a career as a rapper under the name Dee Dee King.

Lead singer Joey Ramone, born Jeffrey Hyman, died in April 2001 of lymphoma, a form of cancer. He was 49. The other two founding members are Johnny and Tommy Ramone; the four adopted the common last name after forming the band in 1974 in New York City. Their first album, "Ramones," was released in 1976.

Many of the Ramones' best-known songs dealt with teen angst: "Beat on the Brat," "I Wanna Be Sedated," "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue," "Teenage Lobotomy," "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker."

Dee Dee Ramone was one of the band's major songwriters, and among his better-known songs was "Chinese Rock"--a tale of going on the street to score heroin, co-written with Johnny Thunders, a punk rock icon who became an overdose victim.

Though the Ramones were critically acclaimed, they never cracked the Top 40. But they built a loyal following by frequent touring.

British punk bands such as the Sex Pistols and Clash received most of the media attention. But both bands were schooled by the Ramones' tour of England that began on the U.S. Bicentennial--July 4, 1976.

"They're the daddy punk group of all time," Joe Strummer, lead singer of the Clash, once told Spin magazine.

Dee Dee Ramone never again played with the band after leaving in the '80s, though he contributed a few songs to his former mates. The Ramones disbanded in 1996 after a tour that followed their final studio album, "Adios Amigos." A live farewell tour album, "We're Outta Here!", was released in 1997.

Associated Press Writer Larry McShane in New York contributed to this report.

Ramones re-issues due June 19, 2001

The official word from Rhino Records....

"Hey ho, let's go!" With that call to arms the Ramones launched their recording career and changed the face of music forever, spawning punk rock and reinvigorating the ailing art form known as rock 'n' roll. On June 19 Rhino Records releases expanded and remastered versions of the first four Ramones discs -- RAMONES, LEAVE HOME, ROCKET TO RUSSIA, and ROAD TO RUIN -- constituting their complete 1970s output, their classic era. Each disc features the original album art, lyrics, and loads of bonus material. These releases mark the first time ever that the albums are available on CD in the U.S. with their original packaging, and they boast newly remastered sound, making those razor-sharp guitars really scream.

With the 1976 release of their eponymous first record (recorded for just over $6,000), the Ramones issued a manifesto, inspiring countless others to pick up guitars and rock, whether they knew how to play or not. RAMONES contains 14 tunes-including classics like "Blitzkrieg Bop," "Beat On The Brat," "Judy Is A Punk," and "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend"-and runs a tight 32 minutes, thanks to the fact that every song clocks in well under three minutes (and many under two). The CD features eight bonus tracks, including the single version of "Blitzkreig Bop" and demo versions of "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend," "Judy Is A Punk," "I Can't Be," and "I Don't Wanna Be Learned/I Don't Wanna Be Tamed." Available for the first time ever are previously unissued demos of "I Don't Care," "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue," and "You Should Never Have Opened That Door."

The Ramones' sophmore effort, LEAVE HOME, also released in 1976, saw the band expanding their sound slightly by including more melodic songs like "What's Your Game," "Swallow My Pride," and "I Remember You." But the chain saw guitars were still sharp in songs like "Glad To See You Go," "Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment," and "Pinhead," with its classic "Gabba Gabba Hey!" chant. This CD release includes the rare tracks "Babysitter" (previously issued only as a single in the U.S.) and "Carbona Not Glue," restored to its original place here for the first time since the album's initial release. As a special bonus, the disc also includes, in its entirety, the Ramones' first Los Angeles concert, never before available. The 16-song show captures them live August 12, 1976 at the famous Roxy theater on the Sunset Strip, on tour between their first and second records.

ROCKET TO RUSSIA continued the Ramones' full-scale assault on boring music with another 14 tracks, including the classics "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker" and "Teenage Lobotomy." The disc also features the band's reworkings of "Do You Wanna Dance?" and "Surfin' Bird." Bonus tracks on this disc include a previously unissued early version of "Needles And Pins," a demo of "Slug," single versions of "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker" and "I Don't Care," and "It's A Long Way Back To Germany," previously available only as a U.K. B-side.

The fourth and final Ramones disc of the 1970s, ROAD TO RUIN was the first to feature a three-minute-plus song, "I Wanted Everything." The album also contained "I Wanna Be Sedated," the best-known Ramones track ever. Rounding out the Ramones '70s output are the songs from the classic cult/B-movie Rock 'N' Roll High School. Included here as bonus tracks are the rawer Ed Stasium-produced film versions (as opposed to the Phil Spector-produced soundtrack versions) of "I Want You Around," "Rock & Roll High School," and the live medley of "Blitzkrieg Bop/Teenage Lobotomy/California Sun/Pinhead/She's The One." Also featured are the demos "Yea, Yea" and "Come Back, She Cried a.k.a I Walk Out," available here for the first time ever.

In addition on June 19th, Rhino is releasing a DVD version of the "Ramones Around The World" home video (1998).

Memorial concert/50th birthday party for Joey Ramone

The official press release....

JOEY RAMONE MEMORIAL CELEBRATION PLANS ANNOUNCED; FAMILY TO HOLD BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE MAY 19, 2001

"On April 15, our beloved Joey passed away. I lost a loving son, and Mickey lost his dear brother. In the weeks prior to his death, we often talked about his upcoming 50th birthday and Mickey and I promised him that on this very special birthday, we would throw the best and biggest birthday bash he ever had. He is going to have that party. It will be a celebration of his life and music and it's going to be a gas." ~ ~ Charlotte Lesher

To celebrate the life of Joey Ramone, his mother Charlotte Lesher and brother Mickey Leigh (Mitch Hyman) have announced plans to hold a special Birthday Tribute on what would have been the rock star's 50th birthday. In his hometown of New York City, fans and friends of Joey Ramone will gather on Saturday evening, May 19th at Hammerstein Ballroom (at the Manhattan Center, 311 West 34th Street) for a very special evening of music and joy.

The Birthday Tribute will feature musical performances by a bevy of internationally celebrated groups and performers, but details are being withheld until a later date.

NOTE: This event sold out very quickly. No more tickets remain. If anyone is going and would like to send a report on it for this site, please email me. I will, of course, give you full credit for your submission. Pictures are encouraged, too!

Joey Ramone: May 19, 1951 - April 15, 2001

As reported on Sonicnet Music News......

Punk Pioneer Joey Ramone Dead at 49

Joey Ramone, lead singer of legendary punk band the Ramones, passed away at 2:40 p.m. Sunday at the age of 49.

The towering front man, born Jeffrey Hyman, did not respond to treatment for lymphatic cancer, a disease that attacks the body's ability to fight infection.

Along with his cohorts Johnny, Tommy and Dee Dee (all of whom adopted Ramone as a surname), Joey was credited with helping found the modern punk movement. In mixing the griminess of the New York streets with a love of bubblegum pop, '60s girl groups and the Stooges, the Ramones inspired everyone from the Sex Pistols and the Clash to Green Day and Blink-182 to stake their turf on four dirty chords and an (often) inane hook.

With his trademark rose-colored shades, black leather jacket, shoulder-length hair, ripped jeans and alternately snarling and crooning, hiccoughing vocals, Joey was the iconic godfather of punk. He gave voice to some of the most revered songs in the punk canon: "Blitzkrieg Bop," "Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment," "Rock 'n' Roll High School," "I Wanna Be Sedated," "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker."

His profile was indelible.

The image of Joey's body, left foot forward, right foot back, left hand strangling the microphone, fist pumping in the air as he shouted one of the band's unofficial mantras, "Gabba Gabba Hey!," is forever imprinted in the minds of any fan who attended one of the band's 2,263 shows.

Born in the Forest Hills section of Queens, New York, on May 19, 1951, Joey founded the Ramones in 1974 with Johnny, Dee Dee and Tommy. Originally the drummer, Joey switched to vocals two months after the band played it first show in March 1974 at New York's Performance Studio.

The group soon became a staple at the dingy New York punk club CBGB, home to fellow downtown bands Talking Heads, Patti Smith and Blondie. In 1975 the Ramones became the first punk band to sign a record contract. Their self-titled debut, recorded for $6,000, was released in 1976 and featured such rock landmarks as "Judy Is a Punk," "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue" and "Beat on the Brat."

Destroying the '70s prog-rock idea that rock had to be played by learned musicians in full command of their instruments, the Ramones pioneered the do-it-yourself ideal that inspired thousands of punk bands with lots of energy but dicey chops to pick up instruments and rock.

Their 1977 album Ramones Leave Home featured a quintessential mix of gutter-punk anthems and homages to classic pop songs ("I Remember You," "Oh Oh I Love Her So"). It also featured the unofficial Ramones anthem "Pinhead," in which Joey sang, "I don't want to be a Pinhead no more/ I just found a nurse that I could go for."

The Ramones not only prodded bands such as the Sex Pistols, the Clash and X-Ray Spex to take up their instruments and take on the world, but they also laid the path for the next generation of new wave and punk bands to rock maximally with minimal flourish.

Inspired by the Ramones' wide-open subject matter - which ranged from sniffing glue to male prostitution to lobotomies - as well as by the music, '80s bands such as Husker Du, the Replacements and Devo further exploded the notion of how rock could sound.

The Ramones released what is arguably their best album, Rocket to Russia, in 1977. Featuring such concert staples as "Cretin Hop," "Rockaway Beach" and "We're a Happy Family," the album not only summed up the glum outlook of the punk generation, it was a shrill counterpoint to the disco music that was sweeping the nation in the wake of "Saturday Night Fever." After trying their hands at the movies, starring in 1979's "Rock 'n' Roll High School," the group entered the studio with one of their idols, '60s' "wall of sound" producer Phil Spector. The resulting 1980 album, End of the Century, included a cover of "Baby I Love You" by the Ronettes, who were fronted by one of Joey's favorite singers, Ronnie Spector (Phil's ex-wife).

The group followed with 10 more studio albums of speedy, anti-social punk and a relentless touring schedule, and enjoyed Beatlemania-style fame in Argentina and Japan.

Although the band rarely cracked the album charts and achieved marginal album sales during a 22-year career, its influence continues to this day. With most of his contemporaries faded, dead or inactive, Joey became the embodiment of first-wave punk, with a shy, soft-spoken manner that belied his band's twisted songs about social misfits too bored, disconnected or disaffected to play by the rules.

Joey may have shared a last name with his bandmates, but familial love couldn't keep them from their constant bickering, leading to the Ramones' dissolution in 1996. After the group played its final show on August 9, 1996 - such fans as Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder and Soundgarden's Chris Cornell jammed with the Ramones that night - Joey continued to carry the torch for the music he loved.

In addition to producing an EP and an album by horror-ska rockers the Independents - whom he tirelessly championed and managed for much of the late '90s - Joey co-produced a 1999 EP by his idol Ronnie Spector.

The EP featured one of Joey's most poignant tunes, "She Talks to Rainbows," a ballad he wrote for the Ramones' 1995 studio swan song, Adios Amigos!. It was about a girl Joey would often see in his neighborhood, who he said looked like she was in her own world.

"She's a little lost girl in her own little world/ She looks so happy, but seems so sad/ Oh yeah/ I'd like to help her/ I'd like to try/ Oh yeah," Spector sang in her trademark yearning voice on the EP.

In addition to trying to help resurrect the career of his hero Spector, Joey was working on his debut solo album over the past three years.

Collaborating with long-time Ramones producer Daniel Rey, Ramone had written nearly 20 new tunes that he planned to record with a band that included Andy Shernoff of the punk group the Dictators, Cracker drummer Frank Funaro and Rey on guitar.

Joey kept a low profile over the past few years, jumping onstage to belt out occasional Ramones songs at birthday parties in his honor thrown by his punk-rocker friends in New York. In February 2000, he buried the hatchet with former Ramones drummer Marky Ramone, recruiting Marky to play on a handful of his solo songs.

- Gil Kaufman

[ Sun., April 15, 2001 5:50 PM EDT ]

Upcoming live appearances (Joey & CJ)

Joey Ramone & CJ Ramone are going to be making live appearances (seperately from one-another) in New York City this month (December 2000). Here is the info....

From Joey Ramone, 11/27/00:

Hey you guys, The Continental is having a 2 day Christmas party Dec.11&12th i'm going to play a guest set with friends on Monday Dec.11 at 10:30 the Independents will play first 2 songs everybody plays 2 songs except us-------- my band will consist of Arno Heckt Daniel Rey -Andy Shernoff- Marky Ramone -Jessie Malin-Joe McGinty - backing vocalists/ from Ronnie Spector's band -Trish Scotti Christmas songs gonna play some new material and a set of Ramones songs with The Independents, see you there.

Joey Ramone

From Arturo Vega, 12/2/00:

Hi there, For you New Yorkers out there, CJ is playing CBGB this coming tuesday at 11:00 he will be performing new songs "Ramones like songs" he wrote "just in case we record again" don't miss it. av

Dee Dee's book gets reissued

Dee Dee Ramone's 1997 autobiography "Poison Heart: Surviving The Ramones" has been re-issued in North America (it was published only in Europe before now) by Thunder's Mouth Press. It features a different cover, numerous different photos, and an introduction by Legs McNeil (co-author of "Please Kill Me"). It is slated for release on November 1, 2000. Dee Dee will be doing a book signing at the Virgin Megastore in Union Square (New York City) on November 2. A scan of the new cover can be found here

Ramones to record new song!

From Rolling Stone.com, 8/14/2000:

The Ramones may have dubbed their last album "Adios Amigos" and played their final show on four years ago this Sunday, but the dysfunctional brothers have agreed to get together again this fall to record a song for the forthcoming thriller, Too Tough to Die, from first time director Ali Eckert. "We all met with the guy, and we're going to get together," said Joey Ramone. "We just haven't figured out where." Besides contributing a track, which is one of the leit motifs in the punk rock thriller, the band is also considering cameos. As for the rest of the cast, in addition to Vincent Gallo and Rosanna Arquette, Eckert has gotten agreements from Iggy Pop, Joe Strummer and Social Distortion's Mike Ness for cameos, and from Ice-T. for a supporting role. As for the accompanying soundtrack, Eckert has managed to snare the Offspring, Bad Religion, Motorhead and Pearl Jam, "because Eddie Vedder is a good friend of Johnny Ramone," said Eckhert. Filming is expected to begin in November . . .

I don't know any more than what is quoted above. More news (i.e, who is playing bass: CJ or Dee Dee) will be posted here whenever I find out more. Stay tuned....

Voidoids to get back together--with Marky

This was part of a post from Marky on the Ramones newsgroup, alt.music.ramones, dated 5/27/2000:

"Also, Richard Hell called me and me, Ivan Julian and Bob Quine the original Voidoids are making a new record together."

Have no fear, Intruders fans, Marky Ramone and the Intruders are still together (in fact, they just got back from playing some shows in Russia!). The Voidoids reunion is exciting, and completely unexpected, too. More news as it develops.

New Dee Dee Ramone exclusive MP3 available

A new Dee Dee Ramone song called "Bad Little Go Go Girl" can be downloaded in MP3 format at a site called Music Blitz. Check it out at: http://www.musicblitz.com/master.cfm?action=displaySong&SongID=375

ANOTHER new Dee Dee album

In addition to "Hop Around" Dee Dee Ramone is slated to release a SECOND new album later this year (August 2000), to be called "Greatest and Latest". It will be released through the Los Angeles-based label Conspiracy Music. It will be a studio album featuring some old Ramones classics, as well as some new songs. The track listing is slated to be as follows:

1. Rockaway Beach 2. Fix Yourself Up 3. Bad Little Go Go Girl 4. Blitzkrieg Pop [SIC] 5. Timebomb 6. Pinhead 7. Shaking All Over 8. I Wanna Be Sedated 9. Cretin Hop 10. Teenage Lobotomy 11. Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment 12. Beat On The Brat 13. Sidewalk Surfing [featuring Barbara Ramone] 14. Motorbikin' 15. Come On Now [featuring Barbara Ramone] 16. Cathy's Clown [featuring Barbara Ramone] 17. Sheena Is A Punk Rocker [featuring Barbara Ramone]

New Dee Dee Ramone album

Dee Dee Ramone recently (January 2000) released a new album, called "Hop Around". It was releases on Corazong Records (catalog # 2000 006), which has a website that can be found at http://www.corazong.com/. The European Tower Records Web Site has it listed on their site for sale, for those interested in finding it.

Marky Ramone to play on Joey Ramone's solo album!

This news is courtesy of LifeSucks:

Joey Ramone recently called Marky and asked him about playing drums for a few songs on his upcoming solo album. Marky said it was really great to speak to Joey again, and it felt as if none of the fighting had ever happened between them. Marky said yes he would play drums on Joey's solo album, and he looks forward to playing on it. So, it should be Joey on lead vocals, Marky on drums, Daniel Rey on guitar, and I'm not sure who will be playing bass. I'm sure there will tons of more updates posted by people on Joey's upcoming solo album.

Marky Ramone & The Intruders line-up change

This news is courtesy of LifeSucks:

Ben Trokan will be leaving Marky Ramone & The Intruders (he was their vocalist/guitarist). Everyone is still on good terms; its just that Ben is a college student and he feels very dedicated to his school work. His college schedule was really getting in the way of the Intruders tour schedule, to the point where everyone in the band thought about it and agreed it'd be best for the band to get a new frontman. But everyone is still on great terms. Ben will help write songs to contribute for the Intruders 3rd album, and Ben will also play with the band again in a tour of Japan this May. In the meantime, the Intruders will be auditioning for a new frontman, they'll be checking out over 40 people, and should be able to find someone great. It was an understanding when Ben joined the band that he planned to go to and finish college. He gave up years of college so he could tour with the band, and now he wants to finish college. Ben will keep in touch with the band, play in Japan in May, write for the Intruders 3rd album, and he wishes the band the best of luck when he's not with them.

No truth to Ramones reunion

This news is courtesy of LifeSucks:

There a rumors going around that Marky said the Ramones will have a reunion, make a new record and tour. Those rumors are NOT true. Sorry to say this, but it doesn't look like that will ever happen. It is however still possible that in November, the Ramones will play for that movie Gabba Gabba Hey, which has had much discussion. But that's the closest to a Ramones reuinion we'll get. The Ramones have no plans to tour or record.

Dee Dee Ramone's Winter 2000 tour dates

This news is courtesy of LifeSucks:

Dee Dee Ramone is playing some West Coast shows in the US, listed below(which are, as always, subject to change)...my apologies for posting these late:

Marky Ramone & The Intruders Winter 1999/2000 tour dates

Marky Ramone and the Intruders are to Europe to play some shows in support their new album "The Answer To Your Problems". (but before that, they will play 3 shows in California). Here are the dates (which are, as always, subject to change):

Check out the official Intruders website for additional details. (and, as always, all dates are subject to change)

Thanks again to LifeSucks for contributing this information.

OFFICIAL Ramones Web Page Coming Soon!!!!

Officialramones.com is set to debut on December 1, 1999. Right now you can check out the preliminary site at http://officialramones.com/

Arturo Vega (longtime Ramones lighting guy, logo designer, overall 5th Ramone, etc.) is putting the site together. A Ramones fan club (called the "Ramones 1*2*3*4 Club") is starting up with the website, and membership details can be found on the page right now, so be sure to go there and check it out!!!

Marky Ramone European Spoken Word tour

Marky Ramone is bringing his spoken word show to Europe in October. Here are the dates (which are, as always, subject to change):

Thanks again to LifeSucks for contributing this information.

Marky Ramone & The Intruders Summer/Fall 1999 tour dates

Marky Ramone and the Intruders are heading out on tour to support their new album "The Answer To Your Problems". Here are the dates (which are, as always, subject to change):

Check out the official Intruders website for additional details. (and, as always, all dates are subject to change)

Thanks again to LifeSucks for contributing this information.

Ramones to do in-store appearance in NYC

Direct from Rhino Records...

WHO:
Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, Marky & Tommy Ramone

WHAT:
Five of the godfathers of punk will reunite for the first time since their last performance in '96 to sign copies of their new release, HEY HO LET'S GO! THE RAMONES ANTHOLOGY, the only comprehensive collection available which covers their most influential tracks from their first album (1976's Ramones) to their last (1995's Adios Amigos).

WHERE:
Virgin Megastore
Union Square
14th & Broadway
New York, NY
212.598.4666

WHEN:
Tuesday July 20
Autographs will begin at 7p.m.
Please note: The Ramones will sign HEY HO LET'S GO! and one additional item with purchase only.

The Ramainz heading West

The Ramainz are playing their first West Coast dates in June. Here are the dates:

Also, the Ramainz will be doing a signing for their live CD on June 20th at the Reseda Country Club in LA. This will be the same day as the show at Jacks Sugar Shack. (thanks to LifeSucks for sending the info.)

Upcoming Ramones releases (UPDATED APRIL 17, 1999!!!)

The Remains return

On February 20, 1999, the Remains (Dee Dee, Marky, along with Dee Dee's wife Barbara) played a show at the Continental in New York City. Below is a photo from that show, courtesy of Mister Schmidt:

In other Remains news, a CD of a previous Remains show (from 1997, I believe) is slated for release sometime this spring. I will post more details here once I get them.

For older news items, click here

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