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The Third Annual Joey Ramone Birthday Bash will be held Friday, May 16th in NYC, and will feature headline performances by The Misfits, Rocket From the Crypt, and a gaggle of newer bands (Slashtones, Collider, Coyote Shivers, Sick Fucks, Suffrajett, 5 Cent Deposit, Mickey Leigh & Friends, The Bullys). MTV’s Matt Pinfield will serve as the evening’s host and Special Guest Marky Ramone will lend his venerable drumming skills throughout the night.
Continuing the tradition of celebrating the life of the late, great rock icon Joey Ramone, his mother Charlotte Lesher and brother Mickey Leigh are once again presenting “Life’s A Gas – Joey Ramone’s Birthday Bash.” Two years after his death from lymphoma and in recognition of what would have been his 52nd birthday, friends, fans and family of Ramone will honor his memory with a special Birthday Tribute. The event will this year be held at Webster Hall, transformed for the occasion into “The Ritz” in recollection of the venue’s original name when Ramone performed on its stage innumerable times with The Ramones and as a solo artist hosting his regular concert presentations.
“It’s going to be a special night, with all the great artists performing, and
the atmosphere created out of love and admiration for Joey,” said Leigh.
“The spirit of Joey Ramone lives on and on.” Added Charlotte: “The passing
of time only makes us all miss Joey more, and people still tell me how much
he continues to influence them. This is our way of keeping him active in our
thoughts, prayers and life.”
Ramone passed away April 15, 2001 after a seven-year fight with lymphoma. A special limited edition t- shirt will be sold at the show with proceeds being donated to the Lymphoma Foundation. Charlotte has requested that anyone wishing to make donations in Joey’s name earmark them “In Memory Of Jeff Hyman” and send them to The Lymphoma Research Foundation, 111 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10006.
It was tough watching the Ramones being inducted into the Rock Hall in 2002 without Joey. Speaking of without, I’m not sure what to think of the Misfits without Glenn Danzig, but I guess it’s the thought that counts.
