Richie Ramone, Friday February 12, Voodoo, Belfast
WHILE original 'bruddas' Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee and Tommy are all long gone to the great gig in the sky, former drummer Richie is currently keeping the Ramones songbook alive.
Richie joined the seminal New York punks in 1983 following the departure of Tommy's replacement, Marky (who returned when Richie left in 1987 and who also tours with his own Ramones-centric outfit), making his live debut on their Subterranean Jungle tour.
Richie went on to play over 500 gigs around the world while contributing songs to the band's LPs Too Tough to Die, Animal Boy (which featured the Richie-penned number Somebody Put Something in My Drink, one of the Ramones' finest) and Halfway to Sanity LPs.
Apparently, Joey Ramone once said of Richie that he "saved the band as far as I'm concerned – he’s the greatest thing to happen to the Ramones. He put the spirit back in the band."
The drummer released his first solo album Entitled in 2013, which featured re-recordings of songs written for the Ramones alongside new originals, and new record is currently in the works.
A rare chance to see a real Ramone in action.
:: Tickets £14.50 from Ticketmaster outlets
