We met Joey quite a few times. You know how when you admire someone from a distance, then when you eventually get to know them they are quite different from what you expect, and often disappointing? Well, with Joey he was EXACTLY as we had hoped, but even better. So cool, so passionate about music, genuinely kind, patient, funny and generous, not to mention a complete genius and rock god. He will live forever in the hearts of his fans.
as a fan of the ramones since 78, i never had a chance to meet them in person. it must have been exciting just to be in their presence and joeys especially. when joey passed away, i cried and felt as if i lost a brother. lucky you! thanks for sharing.
I met them since I went to their concert at the Palladium in Geneva but I was young and shy. I had not done my Proficiency diploma yet (in English). I didn't want to bother them, trying to go backstage. I just knew I loved them and since I didn't know any other fan, I just took the bus and went there alone. 🥹🎼🎸🌟🥁
An amazing soul. An amazing individual. Took his childhood demons and unleashed it on the world. He walked the walk. And talked the talk. Miss you big guy. We’ll meet again.
He died in April of 2001..and this was recorded in December of 2000..so he was very sick here. So it isn't surprising that some people might think that he was a little off in it. He was diagnosed with the cancer that ultimately killed him in 94, if my memory serves me correctly. So he held on and kept working or a considerable amount of time when not in good health. The way Joey and the guys passed is so tragic. Joey would be 69 years old if he was still alive. That is crazy...way, way too young.
At this stage he was being treated for lymphoma. Unfortunately when he broke his hip the cancer medications had to be stopped so his bones could heal. The cancer seized that opportunity and killed him a few months later.
It's so sad to think that the doctors controled the cancer for a time but then he broke his hip. I didn't know so much about the band members though I knew they died. Lately I've been listening their discs and read about them. I watched some interviews and thought Joey was a very nice guy. It makes me sad to know he had to go through this pain without a partner that were there for him when he needed the most. It makes me want to hug him. Now I listen the songs that talk about love like she's the one, do you wanna dance, oh oh I love her so and they make me cry. I just hope he enjoyed life and felt proud of himself.
@@marlonkozaki3229 im guessing you like limp bizkit and love the ramones. It's just very rare for someone to love both. well its actually just rare for someone to love limp bizkit. I like them too. I guess. I mean they're ok and they're really funny to look back on. The love for the ramones runs deep though.
Awesome to hear his voice on music. RIP Joey. I wish I was able to see your band. I hope you had a fun life. Rock In Heaven with your brothers! Long live PUNK
I miss Joey, and the rest of the Ramones, more every day. Such a beautiful man, and the rest. We need more like these people. It never stops hurting, but I will not despair. We had them for a while, and I will never stop feeling fortunate to have lived in a time while Joey and the rest of the Ramones were still with us. I grieve of Joey like I mourn Marc Bolan. Magical voices taken from this world far too soon.
I was never a real fan of the Ramones until now. Crazy as that sounds at 65 years of age. But I am drawn to Joey. I thing he was the heart and soul of the group. He was also just a real genuine kind soul. I'm so sorry he is gone now. I would have loved to just meet him and tell him how I feel and give him a hug. RIP Joey.
I'm about to turn 36. I grew up loving stuff like Billy Idol and I've liked a couple Ramones songs but same. I'm only now starting to deep dive. I'm actually gonna be him for Halloween, and my girl is going as Debbie Harry.
@@rockstarphantom8112 I never liked Billy Idol solo stuff too softy rock but now I'm getting a new found respect for Billy and his latest live show promoting his latest single and other hits. He can't actually sing and that's punk as F##k lol 🤘
I was 11 when I started listening to them. Greatest band EVER!!!! I got to meet Joey and Johnny. Hung with Joey for 3 hours. Nice guys they were! R.I.P.
i've been a ramones fan since 78. and joey has a sculpture i sent to him years ago. it is the little ramones guy playing a guitar on the green base between the little robot and big blue furry cookie monster type doll in the beginning of this interview. i never knew he had this in his possession until i seen this interview. what an honor! thanks for showing us this interview michael. gabba gabba hey!
JOEY RAMONE - THE FINAL INTERVIEW, DECEMBER 2000 Interviewed by Michael Blatter, Directed by Michael Davis This interview HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN UNTIL NOW! This is the story of how it all went down. There were many moments when my career intersected with my personal passions, but my interview with Joey Ramone tops the list. I first discovered the Ramones in 1978 when WNEW-FM started playing “I Wanna Be Sedated.” The infectious hook of that song saturated my brain and made me an instant fan. I saw my first Ramones show a year later when the band did an afternoon gig at The Rockages Rock & Flea Market at the Diplomat Hotel. I remember chanting the Ramones’ official slogan as some guy in a monster mask paraded on the stage with a huge Gabba Gabba Hey sign. In 1980 the Ramones released their feature film, Rock & Roll High School, which may be responsible for influencing the majority of my bad behavior throughout high school. In the final scene of the movie, the entire school explodes and burns down. That same year some badass kid in my own high school torched the administration wing and burned it to the ground. It is totally plausible that kid may have been influenced by the same movie. I saw the Ramones a few more times in 1982, including a show at the Ritz (now Webster Hall), and an unforgettable show upstate at the Bear Mountain Inn with Shrapnel as the opening act. That was the first time I witnessed an all out mosh pit. The Ramones helped define my high-school years and introduced me to a different world of music far from the psychedelic rock of the Grateful Dead, my band of choice at the time. I also had a special admiration for Joey Ramone as he was a fellow New York Jew who also went against the grain of society. Eighteen years later I had started KBA Marketing, my first agency based in Chicago. Vinyl had recently conquered the CD and FM radio was still the primary way to discover new music. Although the Internet was starting to take hold, the proliferation of digital music and the introduction of the iPod was still a year away. With all the talk in the media of a new way to store your music, there was also buzz about a new form of national radio delivered commercial free via satellite. At the time, KBA was disrupting the marketing business with our introduction of “Trend Influence Marketing”. Camel, Coca-Cola, Nike and Audi had signed on as clients, and this new form of radio appealed to me as the perfect client. We signed Sirius Satellite Radio in early 2000, and we were put in charge of finding ways to influence artists across all genres to get behind this new commercial-free medium. Our big idea was to produce a video of celebrity music artists talking about the future of radio and what it would be like to have no commercials. Surprisingly, very few A-list artists signed on for interviews because of their fear of pissing off their terrestrial radio lifeblood. Working with the talent department at Sirius we signed on a cadre of random B-list artists including, Ray Manzarek of the Doors, Charlie Daniels, Peter Tork of The Monkees, country artist Travis Tritt and a whole slew of other B-listers. But, to my surprise and excitement, we landed a rare interview with the one and only Joey Ramone. Over the previous few years, I had been working on video projects with my friend, the Emmy-awarding winning director Michael Davis, who happily joined my team. I wrote the list of questions and appointed myself the interviewer, and no one at Sirius questioned my choice. Go figure. In late November, Michael and I headed to Nashville, Los Angeles and New York to meet with the talent and film the interviews. The satellites had recently been launched into space, and tests were underway. Visiting the Sirius offices back then was like a visit to NASA. With about 20 interviews lined up, I honed my skills in preparation for the only session I cared about: Joey Ramone. We made our way to New York around December 12th, and we were scheduled to meet Joey at Sirius Studios. It was somewhat known that Joey had been diagnosed with lymphoma years earlier, but no one knew his condition in late 2000. The day we arrived we were told Joey was not feeling well and he was unable to make it up to the studio. I was devastated. Our contact at Sirius told us Joey really wanted to do it and asked if we could wait until the following day. The next morning we were told Joey could not come to the studio, but he would like us to come to his apartment on 9th street in Greenwich Village. I could not believe my ears! We were being invited into the inner sanctum of punk rock, Joey Ramone's personal palace. I assumed Joey lived like the rock star I had imagined; in a mega penthouse downtown with a compulsory recording studio, plush living room, chef's kitchen and huge sun deck. We arrived in the late afternoon at the ‘70s-style high-rise building with a nondescript lobby. The doorman called up, and I assumed one of his servants granted us access. The elevator was old and creaky and when the doors opened to his floor, the hallway was dark and dank. We made it to his door and pushed the doorbell. It felt like an eternity until the door opened and when it did there stood the 6’6” Joey Ramone! No servants, no penthouse, no recording studio. Just a small standard New York City one-bedroom apartment with a galley kitchen. Looking slightly turgid and somewhat pastier than usual, Joey invited us in and told us to feel free to examine his collection of toys and memorabilia that decorated the living room. Joey told us he needed to get ready for the interview and he proceeded to the bathroom within eyeshot of the living room couch, and left the door about two inches ajar. Michael Davis immediately started shooting b-roll of this museum of Joey’s life. I could not help myself but watch him through the reflection in his bathroom mirror repeatedly brush his hair for about five minutes. He may have wanted to look his best for what could be his last interview. Joey waxed poetic about the history of rock and roll and the importance of radio. He was incredibly humble and could not have been any nicer. As you will see in the interview his passion for music is undeniable, and his soul is larger than life. Four and half months later on April 15, 2001, a month before he would have turned 50, Joey Ramone died of lymphoma at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. It was not until Joey died that I realized that we might have his final interview. Michael Davis and I went on to edit a compilation of all 20 interviews of which Joey had a less than a 20 second part. I made a copy of the unedited footage of our Joey interview and I stored the VHS in one of my many boxes. I only re-discovered it earlier this year in 2017. Over the last few months, I made an attempt to reach out to Joey's family and management to give them the tape, but I did not hear back from anyone. So, here it is in its entirety, my unedited ten-minute interview with Joey Ramone. As far as I know, his last.
Cool man! He definitely didn't look well and his hands were shaking... you're very lucky he wanted to do this and invited you there. This is definitely a gem. Thanks for posting
Thank you for posting -- what a treasure! I'm sure many people can explain that the reason Joey brushed his hair repeatedly in the bathroom before the interview was due to his OCD. May his soul rest in eternal peace -- his life was too short, but was a gift and a blessing.
In Argentina The Ramones are very big, it is rare as things are, in the rock radios they sound constantly. And more of their shortcomings we love that authenticity. We love the Ramones. Goodbye friends. Thank you for those days when I felt so much loneliness in my radio and in my heart. Forever Los Ramones and Argentina.
you shouldn't feel sad he was still hot and he was just on Conan shortly before this. I feel like he was throwing the interviewer a bone in other words a favor.
His hand twitching is part of his OCD. Also the fact his voice is quivering is because the decline of his health. Guy went too soon. Best voice in rock & roll ever.
It's a kind of sad to me this interview. Because it's really evident that Joey wasn't even think that he would die. At that time, he was a person with dreams and projects. R.I.P, Joey, you are inmortal. You were the the artist who most influnced my life.
@@patricemaria395 I think his looks are endearing and I find him incredibly handsome. Such a phenomenal artist. So sad our generation today has WAP and thinks that's amazing, but doesn't hear the greats
@@Black_Magic_Woman I agree with you, he had a lovely smile and you can see the kindness in his face aswell. I would defo be attracted to him. Imagine growing up thinking Justin Bieber is music. 🤢😂🤦♀️
Joey is just a couple of years older than me..maybe five. His telling the story of radio is as authentic as youre gonna get about that time frame. The Ramones meant a lot to me. I was always a rocker. But even then they brought something that blew us away. We were so excited and inspired by them. I saw them over 20 times before.Dee Dee left them. Dee Dee is my punk rock spirit animal. I identified with him so much. Joey is a sweet soul and is such a special individual. God broke the mold when he made Joey.
The Abraham Lincoln of rock and roll. He set us free from Disco and The Eagles. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Joey. His truth keeps marching on.
It touches me that he still cared so much about rock 'n' roll radio. "We need change/ we need it fast/ before rock's just part of the past/ cos lately it all sounds the same to meeeeeee-"
Straight from the description "This footage was found on an old degenerated VHS tape and the sound is crappy on some parts." Perhaps give that shit a read from time to time
Joey i am sure you rest in peace! A man like you just cant be anywhere but in heaven. Your passion, your love foe music and musical art will always echo in our hearts. We all love you and you will always be missed
Joey didn't eat well through his throat at the process of his illness just to not damage his vocal cords and record some new songs. What a legend, may you rest in peace Joey, god bless you.
@@jimbo1959he was 200-210 pounds at his heaviest, but at a 6'6 frame he still looked slim, his weight in the Ramones years was 140-160 pound's looked like a skeleton.
@@jimbo1959this is fluid retention / swelling from inflammation and illness that has affected the whole body - because your lymph nodes aren’t working properly to drain it.
Joey we love you... I was born in 59 and now 59... Saw you many times in the 80s and 90s ... Now I go to your birthday bash each year to support the foundation your brother started... RIP... Shame on corporate America for not accepting you or your music till it was too late...
This was the interview that changed everything. After this, everyone stopped using potatoes to record people with. This was a truly historical moment. Potatoes were labeled strictly as food and no longer labeled as recording devices.
*gives Joey a cheek kiss* thank you Joey. You really are the King of Punk. Thank you for inspiring folks today such as Fall Out Boy, Linkin Park etc. You and the Ramones were true legends
Joey=Soul Brother.. Knows his music history both Music history, and his are: one in the same. the dude: had a lot of spirit and a lot of heart.. + he remembers - rock and roll radio- you gotta love it
Johnny was like the Strict Adult, Tommy was the peacemaker(all round nice guy) Dee Dee the Hyper-wild child with writing talent, Joey the problem child...OCD mixed with some kind of persecution complex. Just my opinion as a fan since 1975...MAY THEY ALL REST IN PIECE....and thanks for the Music Guys.
I miss these guys. All of them from Joe to Thunders. Every single one of them. Their absence is a cosmic and emotional void. Life goes on and we have these videos and our memories to guide us
His voice was escorting me to sleep when I was like in 5th grade. My older sister had a tape with 2 albums recorded on it. It was better than anything. Now I'm 44 and love to listen to that voice still and even more. Thank you for singing Joey. Your existance has a purpose. Not had but has.
There weren’t many musicians I looked up to but Joey was one for me. I would see them anytime they played near me so I’ve seen them about a dozen times. I met Joey once and I was so nervous. I didn’t want to say the same BS things everyone talked to him about. But Ronnie was supposed to have performed that night in Woodstock and we ended up talking about her. He was so approachable and generous with his time. RIP.
Sirius and XM were good in the beginning, they had stations programmed by fans of music instead of just spreadsheets. I remember the station “fungus”, which played the entire spectrum of punk rock- was great. Then there was this folk music station where I would learn music from it. My subscription ran out and money was tight… heard it again years later, and it was just the same as FM, but with more stations.
I personally believe n heaven as a Christian. But, I think for many the idea of a higher existence whether they be Christian or not is a comfort. I like to think that these greats like Joey and Lemmy are jamming out upstairs. Satan knocking on the door telling God to make them cut it out. Find peace my friend, believe what you want. You are welcome to get offended, but, I hope you find God.
Hard to believe he died of cancer just months later. He actually looked like his normal self in this video. I always was amazed how members of the band, especially never seemed to age. In fact, pics of him from the 70's-90's are often hard to tell apart. In a way, his death shortly after this make this video the last images the Public will see of the legend, thus making him "larger-than-life". Unlike many aging rockers, Joey would never get old, thus cementing him as a true legend...
I heard the cancer was in remission at this time, but when he fell on some ice and broke his hip (had to be just a few weeks after this interview) the cancer came back with a vengeance. One of the true Greats.
@Robert Anthony Yeah, I've heard that. I have OCD to an extent, but that's crazy. If I did something like that (not close a door for instance) it would bother the shit out of me, but I wouldn't walk across town to close it.
Joey didn't look like he aged a lot, though he put on weight. But Dee Dee did look older by 1985, worsened by his drug use. Johnny also looked older in 1995, but that's a 10 year difference. Just because John had the same haircut doesn't mean his skin didn't look older.
OMG!!! What an AMAZING interview. I don't WANT to believe that he was nervous but his illness effecting his voice.His opinions and insight about the music industry and how its being manipulated by corporate agenda. Love the fact that he even acknowledges that other people appreciate their individual tastes. Dudes passionate about music and where it's destined. Thank you so very much for posting. RAMONES LIVE ON!!!! ELVIS IS DEAD..
Loved what Lux Interior (also RIP sadly) said about Joey when he passed away - Joey was like a black leather flagpole that all the other punks rallied around. He had such a love for rock n roll. RIP Joey - one of the last true originals.
yes that story I said about Joey Ramone very sad but true even Tommy Ramone was talking about it and Marky Ramone it's very sad how people treated him he was a very good man God bless his family
''There was no more Ramones without Joey, he was irreplaceable.'' Johnny Ramone.
R.I.P.
I know. I bought and read both their biographies 😭😭😭
Who doesn't love Joey Ramone?
I fucking love him ❤❤❤
Ronald Reagan
We met Joey quite a few times. You know how when you admire someone from a distance, then when you eventually get to know them they are quite different from what you expect, and often disappointing? Well, with Joey he was EXACTLY as we had hoped, but even better. So cool, so passionate about music, genuinely kind, patient, funny and generous, not to mention a complete genius and rock god. He will live forever in the hearts of his fans.
as a fan of the ramones since 78, i never had a chance to meet them in person. it must have been exciting just to be in their presence and joeys especially. when joey passed away, i cried and felt as if i lost a brother. lucky you! thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing Rosie
I met them since I went to their concert at the Palladium in Geneva but I was young and shy. I had not done my Proficiency diploma yet (in English). I didn't want to bother them, trying to go backstage. I just knew I loved them and since I didn't know any other fan, I just took the bus and went there alone. 🥹🎼🎸🌟🥁
I fell in love with the Ramones in high school around ‘87. Joey has always been my favorite. There is no one cooler than Joey.
Such a beautiful soul J.R ❤
An amazing soul. An amazing individual. Took his childhood demons and unleashed it on the world. He walked the walk. And talked the talk. Miss you big guy. We’ll meet again.
"I remember them all, unfortunately" absolutely killed me. wicked sense of humor
It hurts to see people hurting. He seems like a genuine guy.
Take it easy he was an asshole. He hated the gentiles.
He seems nervous in this interview..what a sweetheart he was.
Constantly dealing with his OCD ...
Great guy, amazing talent.
Taken from us way too soon.
RIP
Yes... he was a sweetheart...
not nervous...dieing...unfortunatly
He died in April of 2001..and this was recorded in December of 2000..so he was very sick here. So it isn't surprising that some people might think that he was a little off in it. He was diagnosed with the cancer that ultimately killed him in 94, if my memory serves me correctly. So he held on and kept working or a considerable amount of time when not in good health. The way Joey and the guys passed is so tragic. Joey would be 69 years old if he was still alive. That is crazy...way, way too young.
He dealt with OCD However, he loved and lived music....he did with the Huntingtons
Never realized how amusing this guy was. What a legend. His speaking voice is the greatest. Completely unexpected.
At this stage he was being treated for lymphoma. Unfortunately when he broke his hip the cancer medications had to be stopped so his bones could heal. The cancer seized that opportunity and killed him a few months later.
Yeah... he slipped on the ice, eh.
@@Kowasi damn i didnt know that.
It's so sad to think that the doctors controled the cancer for a time but then he broke his hip. I didn't know so much about the band members though I knew they died. Lately I've been listening their discs and read about them. I watched some interviews and thought Joey was a very nice guy. It makes me sad to know he had to go through this pain without a partner that were there for him when he needed the most. It makes me want to hug him. Now I listen the songs that talk about love like she's the one, do you wanna dance, oh oh I love her so and they make me cry. I just hope he enjoyed life and felt proud of himself.
@@chewieluuMarky was the only Ramones member to visit him Tommy tried but Joey didn't want him there
Oh that is so sad😢
The fact that Joey hated Limp Bizkit makes me love him even more. 💖
Better, stay away from Bizkit, i like Bizkit and Ramones too, i've listening to music, not genre
@@marlonkozaki3229 It's not about genre, he hated it because it was an industrial bullshit based on making money and nothing more. That's Bizkit.
@@marlonkozaki3229 im guessing you like limp bizkit and love the ramones. It's just very rare for someone to love both. well its actually just rare for someone to love limp bizkit. I like them too. I guess. I mean they're ok and they're really funny to look back on. The love for the ramones runs deep though.
@@jessfaught9174 I like both. But I prefer the Ramones.
Couldn't get into Limp Bizkit, couldn't accept fake white tough guys who think they can rap
Awesome to hear his voice on music. RIP Joey. I wish I was able to see your band. I hope you had a fun life. Rock In Heaven with your brothers! Long live PUNK
I miss Joey, and the rest of the Ramones, more every day.
Such a beautiful man, and the rest. We need more like these people.
It never stops hurting, but I will not despair. We had them for a while, and I will never stop feeling fortunate to have lived in a time while Joey and the rest of the Ramones were still with us.
I grieve of Joey like I mourn Marc Bolan. Magical voices taken from this world far too soon.
I was never a real fan of the Ramones until now. Crazy as that sounds at 65 years of age. But I am drawn to Joey. I thing he was the heart and soul of the group. He was also just a real genuine kind soul. I'm so sorry he is gone now. I would have loved to just meet him and tell him how I feel and give him a hug. RIP Joey.
Feel the same
I'm about to turn 36. I grew up loving stuff like Billy Idol and I've liked a couple Ramones songs but same. I'm only now starting to deep dive. I'm actually gonna be him for Halloween, and my girl is going as Debbie Harry.
@@rockstarphantom8112 I never liked Billy Idol solo stuff too softy rock but now I'm getting a new found respect for Billy and his latest live show promoting his latest single and other
hits. He can't actually sing and that's punk as F##k lol 🤘
His heart was just too big for this world!
What a man, what a person, true punk rocker to the bones!
He seemed like a really smart, insightful person. Obviously a very nice fellow to boot. That part shines through.
Can't judge a book by it's cover.
I was 11 when I started listening to them. Greatest band EVER!!!! I got to meet Joey and Johnny. Hung with Joey for 3 hours. Nice guys they were! R.I.P.
thanks joey for making my teenager's days better with your music,will never forget you
i've been a ramones fan since 78. and joey has a sculpture i sent to him years ago. it is the little ramones guy playing a guitar on the green base between the little robot and big blue furry cookie monster type doll in the beginning of this interview. i never knew he had this in his possession until i seen this interview. what an honor! thanks for showing us this interview michael. gabba gabba hey!
He had already been battling cancer here for 5+ years. Rock n Roll God! RIP
JOEY RAMONE - THE FINAL INTERVIEW, DECEMBER 2000
Interviewed by Michael Blatter, Directed by Michael Davis
This interview HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN UNTIL NOW!
This is the story of how it all went down.
There were many moments when my career intersected with my personal passions, but my interview with Joey Ramone tops the list.
I first discovered the Ramones in 1978 when WNEW-FM started playing “I Wanna Be Sedated.” The infectious hook of that song saturated my brain and made me an instant fan. I saw my first Ramones show a year later when the band did an afternoon gig at The Rockages Rock & Flea Market at the Diplomat Hotel. I remember chanting the Ramones’ official slogan as some guy in a monster mask paraded on the stage with a huge Gabba Gabba Hey sign.
In 1980 the Ramones released their feature film, Rock & Roll High School, which may be responsible for influencing the majority of my bad behavior throughout high school. In the final scene of the movie, the entire school explodes and burns down. That same year some badass kid in my own high school torched the administration wing and burned it to the ground. It is totally plausible that kid may have been influenced by the same movie.
I saw the Ramones a few more times in 1982, including a show at the Ritz (now Webster Hall), and an unforgettable show upstate at the Bear Mountain Inn with Shrapnel as the opening act. That was the first time I witnessed an all out mosh pit. The Ramones helped define my high-school years and introduced me to a different world of music far from the psychedelic rock of the Grateful Dead, my band of choice at the time. I also had a special admiration for Joey Ramone as he was a fellow New York Jew who also went against the grain of society.
Eighteen years later I had started KBA Marketing, my first agency based in Chicago. Vinyl had recently conquered the CD and FM radio was still the primary way to discover new music. Although the Internet was starting to take hold, the proliferation of digital music and the introduction of the iPod was still a year away. With all the talk in the media of a new way to store your music, there was also buzz about a new form of national radio delivered commercial free via satellite. At the time, KBA was disrupting the marketing business with our introduction of “Trend Influence Marketing”. Camel, Coca-Cola, Nike and Audi had signed on as clients, and this new form of radio appealed to me as the perfect client. We signed Sirius Satellite Radio in early 2000, and we were put in charge of finding ways to influence artists across all genres to get behind this new commercial-free medium.
Our big idea was to produce a video of celebrity music artists talking about the future of radio and what it would be like to have no commercials. Surprisingly, very few A-list artists signed on for interviews because of their fear of pissing off their terrestrial radio lifeblood. Working with the talent department at Sirius we signed on a cadre of random B-list artists including, Ray Manzarek of the Doors, Charlie Daniels, Peter Tork of The Monkees, country artist Travis Tritt and a whole slew of other B-listers. But, to my surprise and excitement, we landed a rare interview with the one and only Joey Ramone.
Over the previous few years, I had been working on video projects with my friend, the Emmy-awarding winning director Michael Davis, who happily joined my team. I wrote the list of questions and appointed myself the interviewer, and no one at Sirius questioned my choice. Go figure. In late November, Michael and I headed to Nashville, Los Angeles and New York to meet with the talent and film the interviews. The satellites had recently been launched into space, and tests were underway. Visiting the Sirius offices back then was like a visit to NASA.
With about 20 interviews lined up, I honed my skills in preparation for the only session I cared about: Joey Ramone. We made our way to New York around December 12th, and we were scheduled to meet Joey at Sirius Studios. It was somewhat known that Joey had been diagnosed with lymphoma years earlier, but no one knew his condition in late 2000. The day we arrived we were told Joey was not feeling well and he was unable to make it up to the studio. I was devastated. Our contact at Sirius told us Joey really wanted to do it and asked if we could wait until the following day.
The next morning we were told Joey could not come to the studio, but he would like us to come to his apartment on 9th street in Greenwich Village. I could not believe my ears! We were being invited into the inner sanctum of punk rock, Joey Ramone's personal palace. I assumed Joey lived like the rock star I had imagined; in a mega penthouse downtown with a compulsory recording studio, plush living room, chef's kitchen and huge sun deck.
We arrived in the late afternoon at the ‘70s-style high-rise building with a nondescript lobby. The doorman called up, and I assumed one of his servants granted us access. The elevator was old and creaky and when the doors opened to his floor, the hallway was dark and dank. We made it to his door and pushed the doorbell. It felt like an eternity until the door opened and when it did there stood the 6’6” Joey Ramone! No servants, no penthouse, no recording studio. Just a small standard New York City one-bedroom apartment with a galley kitchen.
Looking slightly turgid and somewhat pastier than usual, Joey invited us in and told us to feel free to examine his collection of toys and memorabilia that decorated the living room. Joey told us he needed to get ready for the interview and he proceeded to the bathroom within eyeshot of the living room couch, and left the door about two inches ajar. Michael Davis immediately started shooting b-roll of this museum of Joey’s life. I could not help myself but watch him through the reflection in his bathroom mirror repeatedly brush his hair for about five minutes. He may have wanted to look his best for what could be his last interview.
Joey waxed poetic about the history of rock and roll and the importance of radio. He was incredibly humble and could not have been any nicer. As you will see in the interview his passion for music is undeniable, and his soul is larger than life.
Four and half months later on April 15, 2001, a month before he would have turned 50, Joey Ramone died of lymphoma at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
It was not until Joey died that I realized that we might have his final interview. Michael Davis and I went on to edit a compilation of all 20 interviews of which Joey had a less than a 20 second part. I made a copy of the unedited footage of our Joey interview and I stored the VHS in one of my many boxes. I only re-discovered it earlier this year in 2017. Over the last few months, I made an attempt to reach out to Joey's family and management to give them the tape, but I did not hear back from anyone.
So, here it is in its entirety, my unedited ten-minute interview with Joey Ramone. As far as I know, his last.
Cool man! He definitely didn't look well and his hands were shaking... you're very lucky he wanted to do this and invited you there. This is definitely a gem. Thanks for posting
Thank you for posting -- what a treasure! I'm sure many people can explain that the reason Joey brushed his hair repeatedly in the bathroom before the interview was due to his OCD. May his soul rest in eternal peace -- his life was too short, but was a gift and a blessing.
I sincerely appreciate you putting this video up, Thank You
Sad but wonderful at same time. So glad you captured this forever so we can hear this fascinating man. Great Interview & Tribute! Thank You!
Michael Blatter thank you
we miss you Joey the world isn't the same without you its cold and dark
In Argentina The Ramones are very big, it is rare as things are, in the rock radios they sound constantly. And more of their shortcomings we love that authenticity. We love the Ramones. Goodbye friends. Thank you for those days when I felt so much loneliness in my radio and in my heart. Forever Los Ramones and Argentina.
Here in Colombia, especially in Bogota, The Ramones are as popular as ever... I don't think most Colombian fans know that Joey has past....
Watching this and knowing how sick he was at the time makes my heart hurt.
Me too....
Man I miss this guy and the Ramones so much. Gone way way way too soon!!
-
GABBAGABBA
We accept ya one of us !
Kind of sad to see him at this stage but he's spot on about radio and the music business. R.I.P. Joey
you shouldn't feel sad he was still hot and he was just on Conan shortly before this. I feel like he was throwing the interviewer a bone in other words a favor.
I love him, I wanna cry
Carl Ciadella What’s kinda scary is that everything he said about radio still holds up all these years later.
Good thing he missed 911! RIP
His hand twitching is part of his OCD. Also the fact his voice is quivering is because the decline of his health. Guy went too soon. Best voice in rock & roll ever.
I hope when I die I'm greeted by the ramones saying, "Gabba gabba, we accept you, we accept you, one of us!" And we jam out for all eternity.
RIP
Same, I would like to join you in that
That’s the dream 😤
I want that too.
I hope you're right except for the eternity part. I hope everyone dies and gets to jam with the ramones for 90 seconds and then its all over.
Whats the first song you eould play
It's a kind of sad to me this interview. Because it's really evident that Joey wasn't even think that he would die. At that time, he was a person with dreams and projects.
R.I.P, Joey, you are inmortal. You were the the artist who most influnced my life.
I still can't get through this without crying.
Scarlet Rodger I hear you
Mee too
Me too ... 💔
Fuckin A 😞
crying cause his life was so much cooler than mine...
He was clearly a Music freak and loved to talk about Music.
RIP, the true legend of punk.
Their great tracks never get old...
One two three four!!!
He aged unbelievably well , so sad he isn't around now
He really did and he was really sick here aswell. He still looked good. 🤘
@@patricemaria395 I think his looks are endearing and I find him incredibly handsome. Such a phenomenal artist. So sad our generation today has WAP and thinks that's amazing, but doesn't hear the greats
@@Black_Magic_Woman I agree with you, he had a lovely smile and you can see the kindness in his face aswell. I would defo be attracted to him. Imagine growing up thinking Justin Bieber is music. 🤢😂🤦♀️
I miss Joey so much. I met him in NYC in the 80s with my boyfriend. He ws just like in this video. Sweet, sincere n genuine.
What a nice guy. The best music is from bands and people that make music from the heart. Rip Joey
Joey is just a couple of years older than me..maybe five. His telling the story of radio is as authentic as youre gonna get about that time frame. The Ramones meant a lot to me. I was always a rocker. But even then they brought something that blew us away. We were so excited and inspired by them.
I saw them over 20 times before.Dee Dee left them.
Dee Dee is my punk rock spirit animal. I identified with him so much.
Joey is a sweet soul and is such a special individual. God broke the mold when he made Joey.
Love this interview, thanks.
Joey we miss you man you are the guy I look up too and you tried to bring rock n roll back and now I’m trying so thank you for the music mr ramone
It got me crying when he told his ultimate dream :'(
REST IN HEAVEN LEGEND😢🕊🕯☀️💫
Love this interview
I agree 100%! 🌹🌹🌹
There will never be another Joey Ramone.
I miss him so much.
Joey, gone too soon. Been a fan since I was a teen in the 80’s. First album was Mania.❤️
The Abraham Lincoln of rock and roll. He set us free from Disco and The Eagles. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Joey. His truth keeps marching on.
Well said.
Anderson Cooper they all wrote but dee dee wrote the most
He was also tall like Lincoln.
Joey definitely would have loved that. Great comment.
The Joey
It touches me that he still cared so much about rock 'n' roll radio.
"We need change/ we need it fast/ before rock's just part of the past/ cos lately it all sounds the same to meeeeeee-"
Terrible camera and sound work in the interviewers part.
FureyXIII copyright? ..Captions work though
sound is worst..
I'm sure editing software could clean up the audio a bit...
Straight from the description
"This footage was found on an old degenerated VHS tape and the sound is crappy on some parts."
Perhaps give that shit a read from time to time
*TRACKING*
BTW: That's a REAL New York accent.
Merry Christmas Joey!
Gracias Joey Ramone, donde quiera que estés siempre vas a estar en el corazón de la familia Argentina
Joey i am sure you rest in peace! A man like you just cant be anywhere but in heaven. Your passion, your love foe music and musical art will always echo in our hearts. We all love you and you will always be missed
He was a smart dude. I've heard people call him stupid before. Fuck them. Long live The Ramones! RIP Joey!
Joey Ramone with Alternative Tentacles T-Shirt
Thanks for this interview. Thank you Joey and the Ramones for all the music.
Debbie Harry said that Joey was the sexiest man she'd ever seen. King of punk. King of the outcasts.
I always found Joey a very interesting guy to listen too. "RIP"
poor guy in the later stages of his life his body just couldn't do it the cancer got him really miss him
Joey didn't eat well through his throat at the process of his illness just to not damage his vocal cords and record some new songs. What a legend, may you rest in peace Joey, god bless you.
Sure looks like he's eating well here! I've never seen him this heavy.
@@jimbo1959he looks heavy because of all medications he took to battle the illness
@@jimbo1959he was 200-210 pounds at his heaviest, but at a 6'6 frame he still looked slim, his weight in the Ramones years was 140-160 pound's looked like a skeleton.
@@jimbo1959this is fluid retention / swelling from inflammation and illness that has affected the whole body - because your lymph nodes aren’t working properly to drain it.
Joey we love you... I was born in 59 and now 59... Saw you many times in the 80s and 90s ... Now I go to your birthday bash each year to support the foundation your brother started... RIP... Shame on corporate America for not accepting you or your music till it was too late...
Thanks for posting , very interesting but sad at the same time .
Love his alternative tentacles shirt. Jello biafra was a big fan. Looks like mutual respect.
This was the interview that changed everything. After this, everyone stopped using potatoes to record people with. This was a truly historical moment. Potatoes were labeled strictly as food and no longer labeled as recording devices.
We miss you Joey. You're a fucking legend! May your spirit of rebellion live on for generations to come. We love love.
Another great man down. He gifted us all with his genuine presence and contributed to our History. Joey Ramone, your name will be remembered.
*gives Joey a cheek kiss* thank you Joey. You really are the King of Punk. Thank you for inspiring folks today such as Fall Out Boy, Linkin Park etc. You and the Ramones were true legends
Joey=Soul Brother.. Knows his music history both Music history, and his are: one in the same.
the dude: had a lot of spirit and a lot of heart.. + he remembers - rock and roll radio- you gotta love it
Johnny was like the Strict Adult, Tommy was the peacemaker(all round nice guy)
Dee Dee the Hyper-wild child with writing talent, Joey the problem child...OCD mixed with some kind of persecution complex.
Just my opinion as a fan since 1975...MAY THEY ALL REST IN PIECE....and thanks for the Music Guys.
M.r. Moon
You’ve had a year to correct the spelling in this.
Get it done, man!
Perfect summing up 👍
Pieces..
This guy never aged.
I was 9 years old, 1987, the first time I heard the Ramones. My life was changed forever.
Poor Joey, he was a sweet person! I'm from 91, but i really feel a lot for Joey!
I miss these guys. All of them from Joe to Thunders. Every single one of them. Their absence is a cosmic and emotional void. Life goes on and we have these videos and our memories to guide us
I love you so much Joey.
His voice was escorting me to sleep when I was like in 5th grade. My older sister had a tape with 2 albums recorded on it. It was better than anything. Now I'm 44 and love to listen to that voice still and even more. Thank you for singing Joey. Your existance has a purpose. Not had but has.
His two solo albums were the best he had done. Damn good stuff, can always play'em and never be disappointed.
There weren’t many musicians I looked up to but Joey was one for me. I would see them anytime they played near me so I’ve seen them about a dozen times. I met Joey once and I was so nervous. I didn’t want to say the same BS things everyone talked to him about. But Ronnie was supposed to have performed that night in Woodstock and we ended up talking about her. He was so approachable and generous with his time. RIP.
STILL MISS thee most AWESOME of all...Joey Ramome (Jeff Ross Hyman)...thee most COOOLIEST frontman ever!! (May 19, 1951 - April 15, 2001)
Thank YOU Joey!!!!! I saw the Ramones live in 1994 - Buenos Aires , Argentina. On their 20th anniversary show. RAMONES FOREVER!
Thank god the sound stabilized at 2:55, was driving me crazy.
Thanks, Michael, it's a big present fo us.
Sigue durmiendo mi niño, que mientras yo esté despierta no dejaré de soñarte.
love it so happy i got to see them loads of times AWESOME POST THANK YOU
james mcmeekin That's great. I wish I could have seen them. :(
Thank you for this insightful interview with Joey Ramone. I found him very humble during his interview.
Joey is very missed, and he will always be
There's something kind of endearing about him. RIP
Joey always was endearing,
there's an understatement
Sirius and XM were good in the beginning, they had stations programmed by fans of music instead of just spreadsheets. I remember the station “fungus”, which played the entire spectrum of punk rock- was great. Then there was this folk music station where I would learn music from it. My subscription ran out and money was tight… heard it again years later, and it was just the same as FM, but with more stations.
I love the honesty and his memory was sharp !!!
Himself and Lemmy must be having a good time in heaven R I P to both of them
Except there is no heaven. When you die that's it. I don't know why people insist on pretending otherwise.
I personally believe n heaven as a Christian. But, I think for many the idea of a higher existence whether they be Christian or not is a comfort. I like to think that these greats like Joey and Lemmy are jamming out upstairs. Satan knocking on the door telling God to make them cut it out. Find peace my friend, believe what you want. You are welcome to get offended, but, I hope you find God.
Lemmy in heaven ? What he is in Rocking in the hell
Lemmy was an atheist you cock!
@@reverendjames9842 Dude, it's just an expression!
Hard to believe he died of cancer just months later. He actually looked like his normal self in this video. I always was amazed how members of the band, especially never seemed to age. In fact, pics of him from the 70's-90's are often hard to tell apart. In a way, his death shortly after this make this video the last images the Public will see of the legend, thus making him "larger-than-life". Unlike many aging rockers, Joey would never get old, thus cementing him as a true legend...
I heard the cancer was in remission at this time, but when he fell on some ice and broke his hip (had to be just a few weeks after this interview) the cancer came back with a vengeance. One of the true Greats.
@Robert Anthony Yeah, I've heard that. I have OCD to an extent, but that's crazy. If I did something like that (not close a door for instance) it would bother the shit out of me, but I wouldn't walk across town to close it.
Joey didn't look like he aged a lot, though he put on weight. But Dee Dee did look older by 1985, worsened by his drug use. Johnny also looked older in 1995, but that's a 10 year difference. Just because John had the same haircut doesn't mean his skin didn't look older.
Awwww Joey and the Ramones are missed by many. RIP Joey and most of the Ramones.
Having died just 5 months later....ugh!! I miss you Joey!!
I had the great fortune to meet and talk with Joey one evening at CBGB’s what a true prince.
OMG!!! What an AMAZING interview. I don't WANT to believe that he was nervous but his illness effecting his voice.His opinions and insight about the music industry and how its being manipulated by corporate agenda. Love the fact that he even acknowledges that other people appreciate their individual tastes. Dudes passionate about music and where it's destined. Thank you so very much for posting. RAMONES LIVE ON!!!!
ELVIS IS DEAD..
Loved what Lux Interior (also RIP sadly) said about Joey when he passed away - Joey was like a black leather flagpole that all the other punks rallied around. He had such a love for rock n roll. RIP Joey - one of the last true originals.
i really hope poison ivy is doing well...i wonder if shes called linda...
Joey in an Alternative Tentacles shirt... perfect!!
He is wearing an Alternative Tentacles t-shirt....!!!!!!! He was the most cool guy on the planet, just for that!!!!!!
I wish the Ramones were still around. I miss them so much... 💔💔💔💔
If i could only i could hug him
wow. so sad he was dead 6 months later
A TRUELY BRILLIANT INTELLIGENT GENIUS OF A MAN MISSED EVERY DAY
Hope you are Is singing in the heaven R.I.P Joey ❤️❤️🎼🎼🎼 💕
yes that story I said about Joey Ramone very sad but true even Tommy Ramone was talking about it and Marky Ramone it's very sad how people treated him he was a very good man God bless his family
Marky is a loser I met him and he was a total asshole