Any fan of real rock and roll has a Ramone story. You met them, you chased their bus you slept with one of them you smoked a j behind a club, or you wished any of these things. Joey Ramone was always in the category of greatness to me. I found him adorable and the owner of the most rock and roll legs of all time. A young encounter clearly in my mind was chronicled here as a very very young Helen Bach tramped the streets of NYC sporting a tin Heman and The Masters of The Universe lunchbox as a hand bag. How punk. Needless to say on a famous corner said hand box popped open spewing eyeliner hair spray cigarettes and other girl gear. I bent down to quickly scoop up my stuff and so did the owner of a pair of neon green and black striped socks. He helped I thanked he walked away and I screamed into my sleeve. I think I was 12.
Today would have been Joeys 60th birthday. Imagine that born today May 19, 1951. I remember seeing him on Uncle Floyd, I remember backstage at the Agora Ballroom doing whatever it took to get back stage.. getting there and standing stupefied. He was untouchable.
We all have a story and not one of us can say The Ramones weren't an incredible part of modern music. Our own Mary Magpie even has a Ramone story. Thats hers though to share if she chooses.
Til then its time for a Ramones Playlist, Hey Ho Lets Go!
1- Don't Worry About Me solo Joey with amazing words from an amazing man
2- Wonderful World. My favorite song as a human being made all the cooler by this amazing guy
3- I Got You Babe with Holly from Holly and The Italians! Remember them?
4- We're A Happy Family Cuz someone sings this to me almost every day- only the Barney version..sigh…
5- We Want The Airwaves I think I'm the only person who liked this song- so that means its 20 times cooler
6- Blitzkrieg Bop no need for explanation here.
7- Sheena Is A Punkrocker For years I wished my name was Sheena
8- Baby I Love You Yeah, take that Ronnie Spector
9- Bonzo Goes To Bitberg, love the intro looove
10- Beat On The Brat I sang this to the kid to get her to sleep