A 50th anniversary concert honoring the Ramones, scheduled for August 30 at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, has drawn criticism for reportedly excluding key figures from the band's history. Former drummer Richie Ramone stated he was not invited and was unaware of the event until it appeared on his social media feed.
"I was never invited to the event, nor did I know anything about the celebration till it popped up on my feed," Richie Ramone told The Post. "Go figure, huh. I just hope it will be fun for all the fans, because they are the ones that matter."
The event is set to feature a punk supergroup with bassist CJ Ramone, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, Rancid’s Tim Armstrong, and Blink-182’s Travis Barker, performing some of the Ramones' songs.
Mickey Leigh, brother of the late Joey Ramone, also expressed his disappointment, stating that he and Joey's family were not invited. "I think everybody should have been included," Leigh said. "I think it was rude. I don’t know how it cannot appear intentional."
Leigh indicated that even during past disputes with Linda Cummings-Ramone, the widow of guitarist Johnny Ramone who is reportedly organizing the event, he extended invitations to her. He added that he hopes the concert will be a success, saying, "Anything that perpetuates their legacy and makes people happy, I’m all for it."
The Ramones, formed in Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974, are widely credited with pioneering the punk rock movement. Despite limited commercial success during their active years from 1974 to 1996, their influence and legend have grown significantly over time.
While original members Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, and Tommy Ramone have passed away, other members remain active. CJ Ramone, who replaced Dee Dee as bassist in the band's later years, is slated to perform at the tribute. Longtime drummer Marky Ramone was reportedly invited but is unlikely to attend.
Richie Ramone, who was with the band for four years in the 1980s, reportedly left after a disagreement with Johnny Ramone over his share of income from band merchandise.
The Ramones' history was marked by internal conflicts. Johnny Ramone and Joey Ramone had a contentious relationship, partly due to Linda Cummings-Ramone having dated Joey before beginning a relationship with Johnny. These disputes reportedly continued even after the deaths of the original members.
Mickey Leigh recently agreed to transfer his share of the Ramones Productions Inc. estate company to Cummings-Ramone to settle a legal dispute. The conflict involved a planned Netflix biopic based on Leigh's memoir, "I Slept With Joey Ramone," which Cummings-Ramone had challenged as not having full corporate board approval. Leigh maintained the film was not an official Ramones biopic.
Cummings-Ramone, who is reportedly running the event at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where Johnny Ramone and Dee Dee Ramone are interred, declined to comment on the invitation list. The event also includes screenings of the 50th-anniversary edition of "Carrie" and Travolta’s film "Propeller One-Way Night Coach," as well as a DJ set by Shepard Fairey. Proceeds from the event will benefit cancer research.