Too Tough to Die
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Hollywood, California
June 29, 2007
Words & Phone Pixs By Victoria
(SugarBuzz Hollywood)
“I don’t want to be buried in a Pet Sematary” was one of the few Ramones songs that WAS NOT played over the PA as we waited for the movie to start. It’s weird because we are sitting IN a cemetery getting ready to see the new Ramones documentary.
How’s this for Hollywood tinsel and glitter? “Too Tough to Die” is a Rockumentary of the 30th Anniversary Ramones Tribute Concert that Indie 103 FM threw (what? 3 years ago?) at the Avalon in Hollywood.
Indie DJ’s, Joe Sib and Rob Zombie hosted. And a slew of musicians and friends of the Ramones, Johnny in particular, played and jammed. Three days later Johnny Ramone joined Joey and Dee Dee in Rock and Roll Heaven. “He was hanging on for this show. It was their last gig.”
“Look around! Make friends! Ramones fans are the best people in the world.” Henry Rollins stood in a spot light against the big white wall of the mausoleum towards the back of Hollywood Forever where 93, 000 So Cal souls sleep. (Summertime treat in LA is the Saturday night outdoor screenings organized by Cinespia.) “If someone doesn’t like the Ramones- there is something wrong with them!” He’s so right.
We got our “On the Road with the Ramones” book at the merch table signed by author and road manager, Monte Melnick. Required reading and reference for all Ramones fans. Every gig they ever played is listed in the appendix. Every gig! Arturo Vega was also on hand and very graciously signed “Gracias Amiga” over the emblem he designed for the band. May I be worthy.
The last June Friday of 2007 is a perfect, gorgeous, warm, summer night. Orange clouds in the western sky pass as a full moon rises over the palm trees in the east. “We’re just waiting for it to get a little darker!” Joe Sib stepped up to the mic after brother Indie DJ, Henry. Nooner for Indie, Sex Pistol, Mr. Steve Jones did his signed soccer ball kick to the crowd. (He’s a player and big Chelsea fan.) Goal!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s a family affair. Men, women, boys, girls and toddlers stretched out on blankets. Several generations of rockers are represented. Just about everyone is wearing the signature, universally recognized, Ramones Tee Shirt. Even tiny babies. Is yours Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee and Tommy or Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee and Marky?
We attended the concert featured in the film and we were here last year for the benefit screening of “Rock and Roll High School.” This whole thing was like watching home movies. Oh, yeah, all these shows were benefits for Cancer Research and organized by Linda Ramone, Johnny’s widow.
The movie is great. Beautifully shot by acclaimed documentarian, Mandy Stein, daughter of Seymour, who signed the Ramones to Sire Records back in the day. Seymour is featured in the film which cuts back and forth between the concert, backstage, archival footage and stills and friends, family and fans. The music footage is in-your-face without distortion or distraction and the interviews are honest and loving.
The back story and the beginnings of the band are explored and brought up to the minute and pass over to the next life in a way. The movie ends up at Johnny’s Memorial service and the dedication of his statue in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. We had to walk past this monument to get to the screening area. We are right there!(Twilight Zone theme: Ooooh, ooohh, oooohh, oooohh.)
The songs in the show are Ramones covers. Duh. Except for a few tunes by X, but they’re allowed. The line up included the two drummers, Tommy and Marky, CJ Ramone, The Dickies, Pete Yorn, Dickie Barrett, Eddie Vedder who damn near stopped the show with “I Believe In Miracles,” Steve Jones, Ramones Producer; Daniel Rey and our hero, Henry Rollins who wrapped it up with “Judy Is A Punk,” “Commando” and “Blitzkrieg Bop.”
The second film featured that night was performance footage from the 1982 Us Festival in LA. Nice.
Although the focus of the film was the concert and Johnny and his battle with cancer, we stopped to see where Dee Dee rests after his battle with dope. He’s just as dead.
God bless the Ramones.