The Ramones!

[GT]

In reference to your post, Scott--- I saw the Ramones when Joey, Johnny and Dee Dee were all together... Kick Ass!!!! One of the best and most memorable concerts I ever saw! Gabba gabba Hey!! ^__^

[Scott]

I saw the Ramones quite a few times, including Joey, Johnny and Dee Dee.
One time their tour manager snuck me in the back door because they were sold out, and I knew him from a previous meeting.

[GT]

The coolest Ramones story I heard was told by Joe Strummer of the Clash (also a most excllent band!)... The Ramones were playing in England and the Clash (who were then virtually unknown) tried to sneak past security and see them. They were caught, but Joey noticed them loitering under their (2nd story) window and asked what was up. Joe told 'em, and then the Ramones formed a human chain out the window to pull them up to their room... Joe was a convert ever after! Great to know two super groups of the time were good friends! ^__^

[Scott]

When I was a teenager, I worked at a store in Pittsburgh called Eide’s. It started out as a comic book store, but then added books, videos, and records, and a few other things. I worked in the record department. One day this guy is perusing the vinyl, and we start talking, and he tells me that he’s the Ramones’ tour manager. I didn’t believe him. Several weeks later, I show up at a Ramones concert. I try to buy a ticket, but they’re sold out. I’m loitering outside, and I see the dude I’d met at Eide’s. He recognized me, and when he found out I didn’t get a ticket, he snuck me in backstage.

Another time I knew they were sold out in advance. I was at a friend’s house, and he mentions that he won tickets to the show, but wasn’t going, so I left and went to they show and told them I was him at the box office to get his tickets.

[geneweigel]

I was always one degree of separation from the entire downtown punk scene especially The Ramones. It seems like everyone was close personal friends with a Ramone except me. Certain instances the Ramones had "just left" whenever I showed up anywhere in the 5 boros. The one thing that I did notice was that they left a vacuum of stimulants wherever they went ("The beers gone The Ramones just left." etc., etc., ) Dammit! Back in the 80's, people in NYC played their music incessantly so it actually was a little annoying. Not the music just the universal love of it superceding variety at parties. PUT SOMETHING ELSE ON!!! Another Ramones pet peeve of mine was that there was always some asshole who brought along a tape of "Rockaway Beach" whenever we went to Rockaway Beach. In the car, then at the beach several times, then on the way back. I swear I wanted to step on Ramones records sometimes... That said in retrospective, I just honestly gotta love those guys!

[amalric]

On a similar peeve ~ I remember going to countless parties, whether at houses or at the beach, abroad or wherever...and there was always someone with a guitar, and he/she would always play "Miss American Pie" by Don MacLean. It drove me nuts! I can't abide that song even to this day.

I always wanted to give those guitars the John Belushi/Animal House treatment!

[geneweigel]

Hey, I was one of those guys! Naw, I was more of an acoustic "Smoke On The Water" player. Yes....I know...equally annoying! Truthfully the last time I played a guitar and knew how to make actual music was the 80's. I sat in on a session with a friend's band about 7 years ago but didn't feel adequate to contribute so just sat around. In the following weeks I tried to see if I still had it by trying my friend's set of instruments: an acoustic/electric/bass guitars and a keyboard (he didn't have drums which I used to do as well) and boy did I suck! Ever since then I kept thinking of getting some new instruments to "get back" but I haven't got around to it yet. Damn! You blink your eyes and 7 years goes by!

[Scott]

Damn you Gene, for about three and a half hours now, Rockaway Beach has been stuck in my head.

[GT]

Heh! I picture Gene playing: "E, A, B... E, A, B, A..." ^__^