Is CBGB's next in line?

Joey Ramone, originally uploaded by Theresa K.

The late, great Joey Ramone, on stage at the Whisky A Go Go, February 1977. The first time I photographed them.

When I was on the road with Stiv Bators and the Wanderers, we opened a couple shows for the Ramones in NYC and Joey was a friend ever since. Later, I moved to NYC and saw Joey almost daily at the counter having lunch or a late night snack at Veselka on 2nd Avenue. You better believe kids stopped him on the street for autographs and what not. How could you miss him, after all? He always complied.

The nicest guy - sweet and sometimes shy but always up front with his thoughts. I remember when I had to tell him that Stiv died. Joey was angry! "Why didn't he go to the hospital? He knows better!" He was angry that Stiv couldn't save himself from an unnecessary death.

Now, as it turns out, we punks face losing CBGB because of the twin causes of late rent and rampant condo development.

Here's a link to a petition that's online:
Save CBGB