Life’s a gas, Life’s a gas, Life’s a gas, a gas, oh yeah
Life’s a gas, Life’s a gas, Life’s a gas, a gas, oh yeah
So don’t be sad ’cause I’ll be there
Don’t be sad at all
May 19, 1951 – April 15, 2001
~~~
The Ramones were a rock n roll band. Nothing more, nothing less. And there in lies the beauty of the legend. Three chords and lyrics about chicks, beer and school. Their social significance is equally as simple because it wasn’t about change on a mass level. It was about you and me, he and she, the music and the forget your worries have fun zero apathy attitude that was at their core. No deeply pretentious soapbox posturing like that of those who would follow.
As is evident by the outpouring of sentiment, the influence of The Ramones and Joey in particular is immeasurable. And, though he and I knew many of the same people and frequented many of the same places, I never had the pleasure of meeting the man. Still I can feel his influence through, not only the music, but the accounts of others and in my own desire to not be apathetic.
Below you will find notes and links about—yes “the legend”—but mostly the man.
My friend Joey Ramone…RIP – by Chris Gibson
A Story That Made Me Smile – by Kenyata Sullivan
The late, great Joey Ramone – from Salon.com
Joey Ramone, R.I.P. – by Bill Wyman, Salon.com
Wanting to Be Joey Ramone – by Jonathan Lethem, NY Times
Joey Ramone Memorial – CBGB OMFUG, NYC
A Death in the Family – Jersey Beat Remembers Joey Ramone
