Punk Meets Hippie: Joey Ramone Goes To Woodstock
ShiraWild
Last weekend's "Day in the Garden" musical festival wasn't quite the
historical musical event of its 1969 predecessor known as Woodstock, but for
onstage commentator Joey Ramone, it was a fine opportunity to see new bands,
watch his favorite rock guitarist (The Who's Pete Townshend) and, uh, incite a
small riot.
A few months back, the former Ramones singer was asked by event's organizers
and affiliate radio station WDST to provide on-going "off-color" commentary,
spin records and introduce the acts on Sunday's "alternative" Garden line-up.
At first, the New York native hesitated, but then changed his mind and accepted
the job of event reporter. Ramone told muzic.com, "I thought it might be fun to
go to Woodstock, see Lou Reed and Pete Townshend play, and check out a few of
these new, so called 'alternative' bands, and that's exactly what it turned out
to be -- a fun, positive experience."
Although the lanky lead singer is best known as a purveyor of punk rock, which
in its late original form in the 1970s was opposed to the hippie mythology of
events such as Woodstock -- Ramone is well-versed in early music history, which
also led to his change of heart.
"Woodstock is a town with a heritage, like Cooperstown," Ramone says of the
upstate New York town. "But many people think this town is about peace and love
and all that hippie stuff. Actually, Woodstock has been a thriving artistic
community for years, even before 1969. To me, the town of Woodstock stands for
free-thinking individuals. And that's why it's important to support it."
Throughout the final day's afternoon of performers -- including Goo Goo Dolls,
Third Eye Blind, Dishwalla and Marcy Playground -- Joey delivered the
play-by-play for the continuous live-air feed, which was broadcast around the
world on WDST affiliate radio stations. With microphone in hand, the
leather-jacketed Ramone walked onstage to introduce folk-rocker Joan Osbourne.
Before announcing the performance, however, the Godfather of Punk led the crowd
-- who at this point were getting ornery as the beer sales were abruptly ceased
-- with a rousing "Hey Ho, Let's Go" cheer. After more call-and-response type
cheers, Ramone invited the even more unruly audience members to hang out with
him. "If any of you can get past the storm troopers at the front of the stage,"
he said to the many thousand in attendance, "why don't you come backstage."
After threatening the crowd with a few Celine Dion numbers, Ramone finally
introduced the singer who was patiently waiting just off stage. "Here's Joan
Osbourne," he yelled. "She's a Christian rocker and very religious" (of course,
Ramone was comically and erroneously referring to Joan based on her hit, "One
of Us"). The audience started throwing beer cans and debris by the time the
"Christian" rocker came out onstage to sing. After she performed a few numbers,
the situation grew even more out of hand. Unfortunately, Osbourne's entire
performance was overshadowed by the angry reaction to the halt of beer sales.
The boos and hisses grew increasingly louder, and finally Osbourne walked off
stage, cutting her set short.
So was it was Ramone's inciteful introduction that caused the melee? "No, it
wasn't me," he denies with a laugh. "I think the crowd were angered when
[Osbourne] started skipping across the stage." So much for peace, love and
understanding.
Now that his brief stint as a commentator is over, Ramone will get back to
making music. His latest projects include a collaboration with '60s girl-group
vixen Ronnie Spector and a co-production credit with new band, the
Independents. Also, Ramone will make a special cameo appearance on Drew Carey's
new variety show. And finally, Rhino Records is soon to release the Ramone
early catalog and a video shot by Marky Ramone featuring candid footage of the
band on various tours. The tape is titled Ramones Around the World. Look for
its release in September.
-Jennifer Schwartz