http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005 by the authors Wed, 16 Jun 2004 19:48:28 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/06/16/124916.php#comment-69583 The good thing about his healthier approach to living is that his body has the ability to fight back a bit harder than if he lead an unhealthy lifestyle. Prayers, strength and best for Johnny. peaceloveguidance 69583@blogcritics.org Wed, 16 Jun 2004 19:48:28 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/06/16/124916.php#comment-69582 Jesus. This sucks. Johnny really was the uncredited genius in that band -- he virtually invented punk guitar and was arguably the most important song-writer in the band as well. Joey usually got most of the credit because he was upfront and engaging and the big circus freak where Johnny was the quiet guy with the mook haircut in the background. He's supposed to be a pretty down-to-earth guy too who avoided all the squabbles with Joey and DeeDee and Marky and the rest. You feel bad that it's prostate cancer since it's such an easily curable, rather common disease if caught early. For all you old guys, get your poopers checked. It'll give you an excuse to indulge your homoeroticism. 69582@blogcritics.org Wed, 16 Jun 2004 19:32:07 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/06/16/124916.php#comment-69557 This is terrible, tragic news - almost worse than hearing it after the fact. I once read an article about white elephant art vs. termite art (maybe someone out there can identify the author). Basically, it defined white elephant art as a large, useless monolith that couldn't be moved - i.e., Celine Dion, N*SYNC, Britney. It then identified termite art as that which ate away at the inside, forcing us to rethink our preconceived notions of the nature of art. If that's the case, Johnny was one of the premier termites. He wasn't a technically proficient professional; he was an inspired amateur, and he inspired scores of other amateurs to pursue their own dreams. That in itself should be the highest praise for a rock 'n' roller. "When your time's come we'll take your jacket here/Hang up your leather & your second skin." Thanks, Johnny. 69557@blogcritics.org Wed, 16 Jun 2004 17:22:41 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/06/16/124916.php#comment-69517 I guess if The Ramones music makes white lab mice explode, you can only imagine what what the long-term effects are to the people who actually play it. 69517@blogcritics.org Wed, 16 Jun 2004 13:57:50 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/06/16/124916.php#comment-69511 Thanks Johno, very sad. One wonders why the Ramones have been so stricken - well, there isn't much to wonder about Dee Dee, who took the junkie's way out - but both Joey and Johnny, who didn't freaking speak to each other for 20 years over a girl, both dying of cancer at about the same age? Very creepy - makes you wonder about asbestos in their practice space or something, seriously. 69511@blogcritics.org Wed, 16 Jun 2004 13:03:31 EDT