Joey Ramone's

1997 Birthday Bash concert

May 19 at Coney Island High; NYC

Above and below: Joey Ramone celebrating having survived another year and looking forward to the one ahead.

In the last half of the nineties, after the Ramones had split, Joey Ramone used to throw the best parties. They were his birthday bash concerts but they really did have a great party vibe going for them. He'd have some of his legendary friends make special appearances and always included younger bands who he was anxious to promote because he believed in them. Going to these shows were some of the best times I had back in my now long gone youth and I still love going to his birthday bash concerts in NYC every year even though the man himself can't be there. Well, except in spirit.

Dee Dee Ramone onstage, looking dead. I titled this photo "Der Warthog...," which (sort of) translates to "The Warthog Sleeps Tonight," in honor of Dee Dee. He thought it was pretty cool that he was half German and he loved the language even though he couldn't really speak it apart from some isolated words.

Dee Dee, looking like Boris Karloff.

The Prissteens, who - for a short while - were a good NYC band who were getting a lot of attention

Joe Sib of 22 Jacks

Ronnie Spector

Above and below: Mr. Walter Lure

Below: Tedio Boys, a fucked-up, high-energy band from Portugal who played last. Damn near everyone left right before they played which was a shame since they rocked the fuck out and tore the place up. Joey joined them for a song and I'd never seen him look happier than he did in those moments that he was guesting with them.

Below: a newspaper clipping advertising the show

Revisit Joey's 2004, 2005, 2006 or 2007 Birthday Bashes