May 20, 2011
Okay, tonight I have the night off from work, which is good, because I’m feeling a little burned out from working long hours and then doing something and putting a blog together at the end of the night. So for tonight’s blog I’ll have a little more time and there will probably be tons of photos because I’m going to the 11th annual Joey Ramone Birthday Bash! And 365 commenter and good pal Biff has told me her friend Debbie is selling raffle tickets there. And according to Biff, she’s rather easy on the eyes, so, hey ho, let’s go!
And here we are, Irving Plaza. Someday I plan on changing my name to Irving Plaza, but not tonight.
Okay, let's go get in line.
I'm about 45 minutes early, so I'm the fifth person in line.
Okay, through the magic of the internet, you're spared a 50 minute wait and we're now in the main lobby and the first thing we see is Marky Ramone's Pasta Sauce. A Chef Boy Ar Dee Dee moment indeed!
The stairway to Joey!
Ladies and gentlemen...the bar!
And the stars of the evening...the bartenders!
Well, there's a familiar logo...
And a familiar face! John Holmstrom, founding editor of Punk magazine.
I interviewed John years ago when he was the publisher of High Times magazine. He told me he's working on a new book about Punk magazine. I'm looking forward to that coming out!
And here's John onstage introducing the first band of the evening, The Indecent.
And here they go!
This is a band to look out for, they were great!
Check out a video of them here.
Bassist Maddy onstage and...
Offstage in the lobby with friends after the Indecent's set was over.
And here's the raffle ticket table where Biff told me Debbie would be. Debbie...you're not quite what I pictured! Actually this is Staten Island Tom, who was filling in for an absent Debbie. I bought a raffle ticket anyway. I didn't win. Sob!
Bebe and Jim, America's cutest couple!
Joey on the video screen in the theater.
I had a photo pass and ran into my friend Jason Kuffer in the photo area.
A shot of the crowd from the photo area.
Here's former MTV VJ Matt Pinfield introducing the next band...
Next up was Richard Lloyd.
He played a blistering set!
Danny Fields, the Ramones first manager and man whom the book, Please Kill Me is dedicated to is on the video screen.
And now, a series of photos I like to call, "Backs to the Future." Or something.
Next up...The Rattlers!
A face in the crowd, drummer extraordinaire , Clem Burke.
And here's Clem onstage drumming with Hugh Cornwall, formerly of the Stranglers. And at this point my camera batteries gave out, but there was plenty more show and I had a great time. Thanks to Ida Langsam for getting me my photo pass! Happy Birthday, Joey Ramone!
Further reading: Joey Ramone, Mickey Leigh, John Holmstrom and Punk.
You might also like: Joey, Tommy, Dee Dee and Johnny.
Five Ramones
Joey
Johnny
Dee Dee
Tommy
Pauly
(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)
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Bonus Linkage and photos!
My friend Paul Scanlon sent in this link from Boing Boing. Aaaaaahhhhh!
Meanwhile, BBC member and soon to be birthday boy, Gene Rubbico sent in this oblgatory bathroom shot.
And finally, Tim "Clacky" Clack, sent in this photo all the way from Australia. He titled it: "Cardboard box man's fundamentalist cousin has had enough!"
Aaaahhhhhhh!
28 Comments
Reader Comments (28)
Joey would of loved this,,,,looked like a really good time and lot's of Ramones fans in leather. The Indecent video was real good, you know there's a lot of talented bands out there, they just need to keep playing and be discovered=they also need good old luck. @Gene: was trying to figure out what your shirt said,,,Afghanistan,,,then something in arabic. @TimClackDownunder: how did you get the matchbook to stick to the side of the table,,,,gum?
Looks like a great time. Fun to read along with the Blitzkrieg Blog.
Now I know who's buying all the concert tees, take that Charlie Sheen.
In a tragic twist of fate, the Indecent wear a shit-ton of clothes.
Chalk one up to Clacky for discovering Cardboard Box Man's discovery of fire. (Be afraid.)
P.S. I was confused by the picture of Howard Stern and Michelle Pfeiffer in bed. Are they Joey fans?
Great fucking post! I love the Ramones and appreciate you taking us here via your camera and captions! Great bonus photos and the link Paul Scanlon sent in was hilarious! I love Boing Boing too!
@Al: The Indecent are a great band and they're just 16-years-old! I think if they stick with it, they'll be huge. Your saw them here first!
@csp: Cardboard man and fire scare me immensely! I've got a call in to Howard and Michelle regarding their Joey famdom status.
@Barfly: The Paul Scanlon link cracked me up too!
Great post today Daddio.
Another great evening with a good cast!
It's become a tradition and a good one for you as well.
Joey is missed.
(Debbie is too)
PS
That damn care package better get to you.
Great post ! ... you outdid yourself ! ... I wish that show was today ! ... can't wait to tell everyone it's my birthday today - and see how many free beers I can get :)
Well, shit...you didn't get to meet Debbie. According to a post last night, she didn't leave the loft until 9:30ish. In any event, sorry you didn't win the raffle, but it looks like you had a great time nonetheless. Great photos! And I love cardboard man's fundamentalist cousin. Although he really didn't need to go to all the trouble of attaching a bomb to himself - the world's going to end tomorrow anyway. Cue: Blondie.
SOOOOOOOO Awesome!!!
love all the T Shirt backs...
Bebe looks fantastic.. she looks better every year! I just love her to bits...
And Clem world's nicest rock star!!!!
Happy birthday to Joey
and to Gene!
@"Boris:" Thanks, Daddio! So far, no package! It better show up tomorrow before Jesus blows the world up!
@GENE: Happy Birthday! I thought it was tomorrow! Hopefully I'll be seeing you and Smoopy tonight!
@Biff: Oh well, maybe next year! "Cue: Blondie." Rapture! Ha ha ha! You still gots it, Bifferoonie!
@Gidgie: Bebe does look great and you're right, Clem's a great guy. And yes, two birthdays, Gene and Joey! Gene Ramone!
Glad you finally had a fun night, seemed like you needed it! And very cool that you got a photo pass.
Happy Birthday @Gene!
No need to worry. Oprah's pushing back the "Rapture" until after her Final Show airs. Enjoy the weekend!
wow! wish i could've gone, glad you did! love all the photos and cool that you captured some feet onstage! nice extras too! happy b-day to gene!
@kari: Thanks it was a great night!
@"Boris:" I forgot Jesus was on the Oprah payroll! Good news, thanks, Daddio!
@rita r: Glad you enjoyed it, I did too!
lot to say...but 'cause of the length of wat follows (couldn't pass it up)...i'll say ditto all the comment s before me...'cept i say happy anniversary GENE reason being one only has one birthday unless you're a " born again" all the rest are anniversaries...many more to you GENE...stay healthy and party hardy...raisin' one to you right now...
“I was once at a table at some restaurant in New York with Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, Rod Stewart, Ron Wood and Eric Clapton. At this point I had dated both Jimmy and Mick, and Rod fancied me big-time, but I hadn’t snogged him, so there was a flirtation going on. Woody had a little crush on me from when I had stayed at the Wick. So there was a lot of tension: Everybody just wanted me dead. I swear to God. I felt like Lillie Langtry, because I was the only woman sitting at this table. Woody felt very territorial, because he thought of me as his little girl, and he was keeping an eye on me. He pulled me aside and whispered, “You know, you can’t date all of us.” “Why?” I said. “You guys date all of us. What’s the difference?”
~Bebe Buell
rr
@rr: Great Bebe quote! You are the master!
@Al ...... Afghanistan Athletic Club -- not sure what the Arabic writing is !
The picture is from the bathroom of Sliders ... which is behind the Orioles stadium. Saw the Yanks in Baltimore last night - at the Mets @ Yankee game tonight !
Birthday is rolling alomg like a donut today ! at the Yankee game now ... then it's party like it's 1999 !
Thanks for the b-day greetings everyone !
Happy Birthday Gene!! It's good having friends in different times zones because you get 2 birthdays!
@AL: He climbed up there himself and stuck there with blue-tac. Fortunately, we got him down and nobody was hurt.
Great Rock'n'Roll times at the Joey Ramone bash! Epic.
@Clacky: It was lots of fun! Thanks for the Bonus Photo! Glad to see you back online and back here at MAD!
Love matchbook man, though he may be the most scary yet - little & deadly. Marty, I think you need to take a night off - maybe stay at home with the Fugitive Girls (is that their name?).
@onemorefoldedsunset: I am feeling a little burned out, but I think Sunday is the day to chill! And yes, it is The Fugitive Girls, I'll probably screen it next week.
One of the reasons I envy you is that this shit does not happen in Milwaukee! I love the RAMONES and i would have loved to be at one of these birthday bashes! Al i have to look forward to is a dead Bodeans festival because the Liberace one is getting real old!
@PD: After the Rapture, we'll see how you like 24 carrot knuckle sandwiches.
Oh Marty--great coverage and a bunch of laffs. Looked like a great night.
@Professor Dungpie: When is the Liberace birthday bash? I'd love to attend!
@Liberace's Ghost: Stop threatening Professor Dungpie you mean old ghost you!
@Melanie: Thanks, it was a lot of fun!
All my t-shirts have such boring backs...sheesh. Loved the yellow Chucks - looked like a spectacular night!
@Brittaa: It was a spectaclar night!
"Powered by Klipsch"...... Seriously???2?......
Those things will blow you outta the room. Spark a C-Cell across the terminals and you'll be deaf for a week......
@lzzrdgrrl: I'm already deaf, so it's okay.