Joey Ramone tribute shows / single

Billboard is reporting that there are two tribute events being organized in New York for May 19, what would be the late Joey Ramone's 51st birthday. Joey’s mother, Charlotte Lesher and brother Mickey Leigh are putting together a benefit concert at the Bowery Ballroom. The show, for which a lineup has yet to be confirmed, will raise funds for the Joey Ramone Cure for Lymphoma fund.

Last month, the Ramones’ creative director Arturo Vega supervised the recording of "The Bowery Electric," a tribute song written for Joey by New York singer / songwriter Jed Davis. The band which recorded the song includes Davis on vocals / keyboards,
Tommy Ramone on percussion, Marky Ramone on drums, CJ Ramone on bass and Ramones producer Daniel Rey on guitar. Tommy and CJ had never previously recorded together.
Artwork from Dee Dee Ramone will be used on the cover of the single, which will be released on White Jazz in Europe and an undetermined label in the North America.

Also on May 19th, Vega will host the Bowery Electric Festival at Ramones’ haunt CBGBs. A complementation will take place to decide the b-side of the single. Bands can submit songs to the Ramones' official site, and ten finalists will perform live at the festival (along with Davis, backed by CJ and possibly Marky). A panel of judges will select which of the submissions will appear as the b-side. Next door at CB's Gallery, Dee Dee Ramone's paintings will be on display, and Vega encourages fans to submit their own work as well. Check out my recent review of Joey’s posthumous solo disk here.