THE 9TH ANNUAL JOHNNY RAMONE TRIBUTE – AUGUST 18 AT HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY

(Los Angeles, CA) — The 9th Annual Johnny Ramone Tribute will take place on Sunday, August 18th at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, home of the 8-foot tall bronze Johnny Ramone Memorial Statue. This year’s event will be hosted by cult icon John Waters, and will again celebrate Johnny’s love of cult movies with a director’s cut screening of Waters’ 1990 classic film, Cry-Baby, (Courtesy of NBC Universal and Swank Motion Pictures) along with vintage Ramones live concert footage and music videos projected on a 42-foot Mausoleum wall. Cry-Baby co-star and longtime Johnny Ramone friend Traci Lords will be one of the evening’s special guests, and will take part in a Q&A and autograph signing alongside John Waters (more special guests TBA). Fans are encouraged to dress up as their favorite founding member of The Ramones (Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee or Tommy) to win prizes in a look-alike contest judged by Johnny’s wife Linda Ramone, and Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols. Fans can also capture photo opportunities at the Johnny Ramone memorial statue during the event and enjoy music that will be spun throughout the ceremony grounds during the event, along with many more surprises.

Johnny Ramone was well known as a cult film enthusiast, so much so that he planned to become a cult film director after the Ramones ended. The cult classic Cry-Baby, written and directed by John Waters, co-stars Traci Lords and Iggy Pop, both of whom had influential roles in the history of the Ramones. While Traci contributed backing vocals to the band’s cover of “Somebody To Love” from their 1994 album, Acid Eaters, Iggy Pop proved to be instrumental in inspiring the founding members of the Ramones to bond and ultimately start a band of their own – one that would change the face of rock ‘n’ roll.

Cry-Baby – Trailer

The Johnny Ramone Tribute has become an annual tradition in Los Angeles, gathering friends, family and Ramones fans from all over to celebrate the life and personal interests of the beloved Ramones guitarist. Past years cult classic films have included 1932’s Freaks, Night of the Living Dead in 3D, The Bride of Frankenstein, Plan 9 from Outer Space in 3D, King Creole, and Rock ‘n’ Roll High School as well as classic and rare Ramones live concert footage. Previous special guests and friends of Johnny who have attended include Tommy Ramone, Priscilla Presley, Henry Rollins, Kirk Hammett, Chris Cornell, Rose McGowan, Flea, Billy Zoom of X, Nicolas Cage, The Misfits, Pete Yorn, Rosanna Arquette and many more.

Net proceeds benefit the Johnny Ramone Research fund at USC Westside Prostate Cancer Center lead by Dr. David Agus. Admission is only $10, however additional donations are always welcomed. Seating is on the grass, so attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, picnic dinners, etc. Alcohol is permitted onsite for those of legal drinking age. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.ticketfly.com, or at the gates upon entry. The Hollywood Forever Cemetery is located at 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles.

This Johnny Ramone Tribute is produced by The Johnny Ramone Army and co-produced by JRA Chief of Staff, John Cafiero.

For more information, please go to:

www.johnnyramone.com

ABOUT JOHNNY RAMONE: Johnny Ramone was a founding member of one of the most influential bands of all time, the Ramones. Hailing from Queens, NY, Johnny invented the relentless; down stroke guitar style that defined not only the groundbreaking sound of the legendary Ramones, but the guitar voice of the punk rock movement in general. Listed in Time Magazine’s “10 greatest electric guitar players” and named #16 in Rolling Stone Magazine’s top 100 guitarists of all-time.

Johnny was the driving force behind the Ramones, sometimes referred to as a drill sergeant, bringing order and regiment to the band. This is evident in the speed, accuracy and intensity of their music. Johnny kept the Ramones focused and moving forward, ultimately securing their place in rock history. The Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 18, 2002, and nearly a decade later, the seminal band was awarded a Grammy for lifetime achievement.

Following Johnny’s death in 2004, an 8-ft tall, bronze memorial statue in his image was instated at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, CA. The base of the statue includes inscriptions from some of Johnny’s closest friends including Eddie Vedder, Lisa-Marie Presley, Vincent Gallo, Rob Zombie, John Frusciante and Johnny’s wife, Linda Ramone.

The statue has become a place for fans to gather and remember the rock icon and the birthplace of the yearly “Johnny Ramone Tribute” event, which continues to grow annually, becoming increasingly successful as each year passes. Johnny’s strength endures and his popularity with young and old alike remains timeless and immortal along with the music and aesthetic he created with the legendary Ramones.