GABBA GABBA HEY Ramones Tribute / Benefit at the Horseshoe - May 19, 2002
TORONTO
This concert, put on by Shaun Bowring and Friends was an amazing success! 17 Bands got up and Played 3 Ramones songs each...they were ALL great! The show sold out (400 people) and raised $3900 (CND) for Lymphoma Research Foundation and will become an annual event!

Bands that played the Toronto Benefit: Blurtonia, Robin Black, Maria Delmar, Lindy, Driveway, The Mummers, The Chickens, Sixty Six Kicks, The Candidates, The Sinisters, Dodge Fiasco, Big Rude Jake, Rocket Tits, Royal Crowns, OK Lucky, Gordy from Teenage Head and Forgotten Rebels

Official Sponsors:
House of Blues Concerts Canada
Long & McQuade Musical Instruments
New Music Edge 102 FM
Classic Rock Q107 FM
Sanctuary Records Canada

Niall Quinn and Friends in Limerick Ireland hosted one incredible Tribute gig in memory of Joey and raised over $1400 US to benefit the Lymphoma Research Foundation! Fans and organizers enthused: "It was a great night." Ten acts rocked the house -- 8 bands and two solo performers. Just one of many standout moments was when Dawn Kenny -a singer/pianist in a similar mould to Kate Bush/Tori Amos chilled the whole place out with re-wokings of 'Something to Believe in' and 'Don't Come Close'. Fans are shouting for a repeat performance on May 19th of next year.

I think of love when I think of you,
everything you say, and everything you do.
Tall and handsome,a beautiful voice,
I adore you Joey I have no choice.
I love you now, and I'll love you forever,
I'll never stop loving you, never, ever!

RamonaBetsy Ramone

The Song Ramones The Same..

White Jazz Records will release a tribute-album in the memory of Joey Ramone 15th April 2002. One year after the legend passed away. The Hellacopters, The Nomads, Backyard Babies, Sahara Hotnights, Maryslim and Wayne Kramer are some of the artists that will rock in memory of the legend. Backyard Babies choice fell on Pet Semetery and Sahara Hotnights choice fell on Rockaway Beach.

1. Sahara Hotnights - Rockaway Beach
2. Cool Millions - The KKK Took My Baby Away
3. Sort Sol - Blitzkrieg Bop
4. The Nomads Feat. Kissettes - I Remember You
5. D-A-D - Havana Affair
6. The Hellacopters - What'd Ya Do?
7. Per Gessle - I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend
8. Satrinine - Mama's Boy
9. The Dictators - I Just Wanna Have Something To Do
10. Sator - Mental Hell
11. Whale - Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue
12. Wolf - I'm Not Afraid Of Life
13. Wayne Kramer - Bonzo Goes To Bitburg
14. Toilet Boys - Carbona Not Glue
15. Maryslim - I Believe In Miacles
16. Wilmer X - I Can't Make It On Time
17. Danko Jones - The Return Of Jackie And Judy
18. Backyard Babies - Pet Semetary
19. Jesse Malin - Questioningly

Every Ramones fan on earth can give you a recollection when asked what they felt when they had heard that Joey Ramone died. I remember sitting on the couch, watching television, clicking through the channels until finding one that caught my eye. Little did I know that it was a special report saying that Ramones lead singer, Joey Ramone died at 2:40 pm Eastern time of Lymphoma. I was in shock. I cried the rest of the day, with his music blasting all around me.I figured it was the best way to mourn his passing. I have never been the same since hearing that one of my inspirations is gone.

It's true he left us with sorrow in our hearts but aside from that, he left us with priceless moments. His appearance was odd; he was very tall, (approximatly six-feet six-inches tall) very lean and oddly proportioned. His face would be shaded by his midnight black hair and his eyes would be shrouded in red-tinted glasses. However, he was loved for who he was, not for who he wasn't. A native of Forest Hills, Queens, New York, Joey spent most of his life in this area. 25 years to be exact. "You'd sometimes run into snobby rich people and their little brats," he recalls bitterly. Later, he would go on to write "Beat On The Brat," a song that is simple in its structure but getting directly to the point.

As a Ramone, he was always the one out in front, gripping the microphone with such a ferocity, you would have thought the stand would be pinched shut. His firm, commanding stance, left leg out, right leg back, was just as gripping. His voice and vocal range was as impressive as his height. During the song "Pinhead" he would go on to chant "GABBA GABBA HEY!" while holding up a large banner proudly displaying the three words that would become famous world wide.

Yes, he assumed many roles on stage as a Ramone but probably the most memorable was when he was being himself. However, in 1996, Joey finally called it quits, hanging up his tattered leather jacket and sneakers. The Ramones final concert (number 2,263) was held on the last day of their run with the Lollapalooza tour. It was a good idea to quit while they were ahead. They had proved that, even though they had everything tossed at them from grudges, to member changes and lack of respect and radio airtime, they became one of the biggest and most influential punk rock bands ever in the history of Rock 'N' Roll. It was also a good time to quit while Joey was ahead, after finding out that he had been diagnosed with lymphatic cancer in 1996.

Even though the Ramones had hung up their leather jackets and rebellious image, Joey Ramone didn't quit music altogether. He began work on a solo album in 1996 now titled "Don't Worry About Me" shortly after the Ramones split, while recording the vocal tracks at producer Daniel Ray's apartment. "At the time this was all being planned, Joey was really excited about doing this project," Daniel Ray recalls. "But we really had to take our time because sometimes Joey would be too tired to work," he goes on to say. After many slow, tedious months, the record was completed in 2000.

During the winter of 2000, Joey had an accidental slip on some ice, now in such a fragile state that nearly any bone in his body was liable to fracture or break-caused by the various drug treatments and chemotherapy-he was hospitalized. He would later undergo hip replacement surgery. Unfortunately, Joey was so debilitated by the operation that he died, with his family at his bedside, on April 15, 2001. He was 49.

It's really still hard to believe that it has already been a year since his death. It seems like he is still alive in the hearts of Ramones fans both young and old. Joey made everything O.K. He gave his soul for Rock 'N' Roll. Rest In Piece, King of Punk, Joey Ramone. Thank you Joey for everything you've done over the years.

On a much lighter note, recently, the Ramones were introduced into The Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame on March 18, 2001 for their impressive efforts over their twenty-two year career. The original Ramones-Dee Dee, Johnny and Tommy along with Tommy Ramone's successor, Marky, all accepted their awards and were given a standing ovation. Johnny thanked everybody for their support over the years, as well as blessing America and the President. Tommy deticated his award to Joey, knowing this is what he would have wanted, to be given the recognition he deserved, and Dee Dee thanked himself and gave himself a great big pat on the back. Congratulations to the Ramones for being given such a high honor.

-- Lyndsey Smith

If I could write a verse for you
to speak what you've mean't to me.
The paper would hold far more words,
than the waves upon the sea

To hear your voice, to see your smile
always warms my heart.
I know you are smiling dwon on me
and we will never be apart.

In my life, I think of you,
in every passing day.
I keep you alive in the things I do
you are in the music I play.

I can only hope that you now know
how many lives you've touched.
I can only hope that you now know
that you've done so very much.

With a beautiful pair of angel's wings,
I can see you guiding the way.
Even though now on the other side
still singing "Gabba Gabba Hey".

I will miss you, my Joey, forever,
in my heart, my soul, my mind,
but I'm thankful for the time you spent,
and for all you've left behind

Thank you, Joey
All my love, Shawn

Written By: Shawn Battiste a.k.a. Joey's Mystic
Cold Water, Alberta, Canada