Although expected, the news about John is a shock. Bruce said that he can't believe they're all gone and therein lies the whole entchilada.
You can see almost all of the bands in some shape or form that The Ramones immortalised. The Stooges, The MC5, The Dolls but not the combo that really put 'em all into some kinda perspective. My last encounter with John in person was an unfortunate one. I referred to Acid Eaters as Odor Eaters and incurred his wrath in the dressing room at The Glasgow Barrowlands. He couldn't get his head round the fact that I might be entitled to my opinion. That was in essence was the Johnny Ramone way, his or the highway. A few years earlier, I was standing in the queue in the Chelsea Post Office in NY and he came up to me and said "What are you doing here?" in his trademark brogue. I was thrilled that a Ramone had recognised me on his home turf.
In the end, where has all this rancour gotten anybody? One of the most important bands of all time is completely gone. Mark and various members of the UK Subs will never a Ramones covers combo make. I know that none of you will ever forget Joey but today, just today, blast your copy of The Eastern Dark's Johnny and Dee Dee at some considerable volume. John might have been a piece of work, but he gave until it hurt. They all did.
1 comment:
Well said Lindsay, as ever!
For me John was the heart and soul of the Ramones. He was not the nicest of people but he believed with a passion and the Ramones "model" largely came from him - and was preserved by him. He also knew when to quit and always wanted to go out with the band sounding good - he did that. They were as strong in 96 as they were in 86, maybe not quite 76 - but that was a hell of an achievement.
I hope your tribute on Radio Scotland goes well tonight. I cannot think of a better person to do the show. In Dec 92 in Birmingham, John's quote to me when I interviewed him was "It's a hell of a long bus ride up to Scotland but it's always worth it. We love the
audiences, especially at Barrowlands".
RIP John Cummings - sad to see you go
Martin
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