FULL-LENGTH RAMONES CONCERT & WORLD PREMIERE OF THE 1968 CULT CLASSIC “NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD”
IN 3-D WILL BE SCREENED AS A DOUBLE FEATURE @ HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY!

The SPECIAL OUTDOOR EVENT presented by Linda Ramone in association with the JRA, will be held in memory of Legendary Ramones Guitarist JOHNNY RAMONE on Saturday October 3rd at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (6000 Santa Monica Blvd.) in Los Angeles, CA.

A full-length, vintage Ramones concert will be screened outdoors, after dark on a 24-foot mausoleum wall (as in Hollywood Forever’s summer film program Cinespia). The double feature concludes with the WORLD PREMIERE of the 1968 cult classic “NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD” in 3D! PassmoreLab presents the debut of its new high-def, colorized, 3D print of one of Johnny Ramone’s top 10 horror film favorites! As if that weren’t enough, you’ll also have a rare opportunity to MEET some of the world famous RAMONES LIVE & IN-PERSON plus lots more...

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, founding member and sole survivor of the original lineup, Ramones’ drummer & producer TOMMY RAMONE (“Leave Home”, “Rocket to Russia”, “It’s Alive” & more) AND youngest member, Bassist CJ RAMONE (“Loco Live”, “Adios Amigos” & more) will both be on hand to celebrate Johnny’s legacy with an assortment of Pinheads and Ramoniacs ... like you.

There will be scheduled autograph signings on-site, a collection of rare Ramones memorabilia on display, surprise celebrity guests and more to be announced as the date grows closer.

Special homage will also be paid to Legendary Ramones bassist Dee Dee Ramone. Original paintings by Dee Dee will be exhibited on site in an art show curated by his wife, Barbara Ramone who will also be on hand to meet and greet the fans.

When the sun sets, the movie screenings kick off with Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee & Tommy: THE RAMONES in “IT’S ALIVE”. The legendary show had been unattainable for decades until it was unearthed only a couple of short years ago. Featuring the Ramones in their prime, filmed LIVE IN CONCERT on New Years Eve 1977, the classic performance captures the intensity and raw energy that legends are made of. In the words of Johnny Ramone himself, this is truly “The Ramones at their best”...

Immediately following the full-length concert, the double feature continues with the WORLD PREMIERE of the legendary cult classic “NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD” in 3D presented by PassmoreLab.

"Night of the Living Dead", originally shot in black and white over 40 years ago, was painstakingly restored, colorized and converted, frame by frame into full 3D using PassmoreLab's proprietary technology. The process, which took over 12 months to complete at a cost greater than the film's original production budget, was no small feat.

George A. Romero's “Night of the Living Dead” is considered one of the most influential independent films ever produced. Generally dismissed at the time of its release, the film appeared on the midnight-movie circuit in the early 1970s and gradually built a following. Recognizing the film's significance to its genre, the Museum of Modern Art was one of the first institutions to screen “Night of the Living Dead” years before the film achieved commercial success via its cult status.

The 1968 low budget cult film has been deemed "historically, culturally or aesthetically important" by the National Film Registry, cited in the American Film Institute’s 100 important thrillers and listed at #9 on Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments. Critic Rex Reed wrote, "If you want to see what turns a B-movie into a classic... don't miss Night of the Living Dead. It is unthinkable for anyone seriously interested in horror movies not to see it."

"Night of the Living Dead" was one of Johnny Ramone's favorite films, listed at #4 in his top 10 horror favs of all time. Be there on Saturday, Oct 3rd and see it in 3D for the first time anywhere!

The movies screen outdoors and after dark so warm clothes, jackets and blankets to sit on are recommended. Food and beverages will not be sold on site at the event, but picnic dinners and drinks are allowed so bring your own snacks for the double feature.

Gates for the event will open at 5:30pm. Attendees will receive free commemorative 3D glasses upon entering. Admission is only a $10 per person minimum donation entrance fee collected at the gate on arrival at Hollywood Forever. Net proceeds benefit the Johnny Ramone research fund at USC Westside Prostate Cancer Center lead by Dr. David Agus.

Whether you’re a decorated Johnny Commando or just a casual Ramones fan you will not want to miss this event! Be there on Saturday, October 3rd and SEE: surviving members of the Ramones, autograph signings, surprise celebrity guests, concert footage, world premiere movie screening in 3-D, rare Ramones memorabilia, Dee Dee Ramone art show, photo ops, plus a chance to visit the legendary, 8-ft tall, bronze Johnny Ramone memorial statue and the grave of Dee Dee Ramone, both of which reside at Hollywood Forever Cemetery...need we say more?

Call of duty October 3rd, Los Angeles CA.
Plan on being there and be, One of Us... Gabba Gabba Hey!

CLICK HERE to view the teaser AD for the event and mark your calendars...

CLICK HERE to read a press release with more info on the WORLD PREMIERE of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD in 3D

Check back here at JohnnyRamone.com for more details coming soon including info on radio tie-ins, on-air giveaways and more!

THE JRA SALUTES LUX INTERIOR

Lux Interior, frontman and founding member of the legendary garage-punk band the Cramps passed away suddenly on February 4th in California.

Lux formed the Cramps in New York in 1976 with his wife, guitarist and ultimate bad girl, Poison Ivy. The band put its own demented spin on punk, blending campy B-movie and exploitation film sensibilities with southern fried rockabilly roots and surf-music spawned from the black leather lagoon.

Lux and Ivy often visited Johnny Ramone and his wife Linda at their home in CA and shared common interests in music and cult film culture.

A memorial service is being planned for Lux that will be deeply private and at an undisclosed location. We must stress that respect for total privacy and undisturbed solitude is of the utmost importance during this extremely difficult time. Instead of flowers, a donation may be made in Lux’s honor to his favorite charity, Best Friends Animal Society.

Our thoughts go out to Ivy and the JRA salutes the inimitable Lux Interior, a true legend and punk pioneer that will never be forgotten.

Lux Interior 10/21/46 – 2/4/09

(Left to right) Tommy Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Fred "Sonic" Smith, Ron Asheton and Scott Asheton. Photo by Robert Matheu

Ron Asheton, original member and guitarist of the influential proto-punk rock band The Stooges, was found dead in his Ann Arbor, Michigan home on January 6th, 2009. The cause of death is still undetermined, but investigators do not suspect foul play. Asheton was 60 years old.

The Stooges were not only influential on the Ramones but also a common interest that initially brought Johnny & Dee Dee Ramone together as friends. Johnny and Dee Dee decided to form a band that reflected the same raw, garage rock sound they admired in The Stooges and soon after, the Ramones were born. With Johnny (on guitar) and Dee Dee (on Bass) they welcomed a drummer who proved uncoordinated on the kit, but showed talent on vocals. He was switched to being the group's singer and became known as Joey Ramone. The band's manager, Tom Erdelyi, took over on drums and became known as Tommy Ramone. The rest is history.

Ron Asheton, along with his brother Scott, Iggy Pop and original bassist Dave Alexander formed the Stooges in Detroit in 1967. The original lineup released two albums, The Stooges and Fun House. Ron Asheton shifted over to bass guitar for 1973’s Raw Power. The band’s comeback album, 2007’s The Weirdness, found Asheton back in his rightful place as the Stooges’ guitarist. Asheton was Number 29 on Rolling Stone’s list of “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” along with Johnny Ramone himself, listed at #16.

Before Johnny’s death in 2004, he compiled many top ten lists of his own. Ron Asheton ranked #6 on Johnny Ramone’s top ten list of guitarists. The complete list is below.

This year, the Stooges have been nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Hopefully 2009 will find the Stooges in the Hall of Fame beside the Ramones. Inductees will be announced on January 23rd for the ceremony that takes place on April 4th.

JOHNNY RAMONE’S TOP 10 LIST OF GUITARISTS

1.) JIMMY PAGE
2.) JEFF BECK
3.) LESLIE WEST
4.) JIMI HENDRIX
5.) DICK DALE
6.) RON ASHETON
7.) JAMES WILLIAMSON
8.) JOHNNY THUNDERS
9.) KEITH RICHARDS
10.) GEORGE HARRISON

Gary Kurfirst and Johnny Ramone

Our condolences go out to the Kurfirst family.

Linda recently appeared for an interview segment on the syndicated radio show The Ongoing History of New Music with Alan Cross. In the interview, she reflects on Johnny and shares some insight on his friendship with Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, Johnny’s passion for collecting movie memorabilia, baseball and Disney collectibles and more including the film Too Tough to Die: A Tribute to Johnny Ramone (out now on DVD).

The Ongoing History of New Music debuted in February 1993 on radio station 102.1 The Edge/Toronto. Since then it’s become the longest-running music documentary in Canada and one of the longest in North America. The program is syndicated on virtually every major rock station in Canada.  The Ongoing History of New Music show has spun off four books distributed worldwide, not to mention almost 20 different compilation CDs (including four official Ongoing History discs).

CLICK HERE to listen to the entire interview with Linda Ramone in streaming audio. If you missed the original broadcast on Thursday Dec. 11, look for syndicated radio repeats or listen online now.

Shepard Fairey's iconic illustration of the guitar legend is showcased in an all over print, over-dyed for a vintage texture on this classic black tee.

The JRA eagle by artist Sam Fout gets the graffiti treatment with a black spray-paint drip aesthetic on this ultra soft premium camouflage tee with metallic copper foil on the front, back and sleeve print.