THIRD ANNUAL JOEY RAMONE BIRTHDAY BASH SET FOR MAY 16;LINEUP ANNOUNCED

The Third Annual Joey Ramone Birthday Bash is scheduled for Friday, May 16th featuring headlining performances by The Misfits, Rocket From The Crypt, Dpecial Guest Marky Ramone, and the best new up and coming rock bands.

The Third Annual Joey Ramone Birthday Bash has been scheduled for Friday, May 16th and will feature headline performances by The Misfits and Rocket From The Crypt, appearances by special guests Marky Ramone, Tommy Ramone, and Black Flag's Dez Cadena, and sets by some of the best up and coming rock bands. MTVs Matt Pinfield will serve as the evenings host. Continuing the tradition of celebrating the life of the late, great rock icon Joey Ramone, his mother Charlotte Lesher and brother Mickey Leigh are once again presenting Lifes A Gas -- Joey Ramones Birthday Bash." Two years after his untimely death from lymphoma and in recognition of what would have been his 52nd birthday, friends, fans and family of Ramone will honor his memory with a special Birthday Tribute. The event will this year be held at Webster Hall, transformed for the occasion into The Ritz" in recollection of the venues original name when Ramone performed on its stage throughout his years with The Ramones and as a solo artist hosting his regular concert presentations. The Ritz" is located in New York City at 125 East 11th Street, off Third Avenue (212-353-1600; www.websterhall.com). Tickets for the event are priced at $25 each; valid photo ID required and you must be 18 to enter and 21 to drink. Doors are slated to open at 7:00 PM. You can visit www.joeyramone.com or www.ramones.com. This is a non-profit event with proceeds going to the Lymphoma Research Foundation.

Its going to be a special night, with all the great artists performing, and the atmosphere created out of love and admiration for Joey," said Leigh. The spirit of Joey Ramone lives on and on." Added Charlotte: The passing of time only makes us all miss Joey more, and people still tell me how much he continues to influence them. This is our way of keeping him active in our thoughts, prayers and life."

Ramone passed away April 15, 2001 after a seven-year fight with lymphoma. Since his passing, the worlds music community has expressed their sadness over Ramones death, and voiced their love and affection for the man credited with having changed rock and roll." A host of globally renowned musicians have come forward to praise Ramones public and private talents and gentle characteristics, crediting him and his band for influencing a whole generation to form their own groups and create new music.

The Birthday Tribute will feature musical performances by a bevy of internationally celebrated and emerging performers, as well as screenings of rare and exclusive videos and some surprise guest appearances. The lineup includes Slashtones, Collider, Coyote Shivers, Sick Fucks, Suffrajett, 5 Cent Deposit, Mickey Leigh & Friends, The Bullys, Rocket From The Crypt, and The Misfits. Special Guest Marky Ramone will lend his venerable drumming skills throughout the night as he sits in on sets with several of the musicians in attendance. Tickets are available online at ticketmaster.com, and at all Ticketmaster outlets including Tower Records, HMV, and FYE stores. To charge tickets by phone, call 212-307-7171.
A special limited edition t- shirt will be sold at the show with proceeds being donated to the Lymphoma Foundation. In response to numerous inquiries, Charlotte has requested that anyone wishing to make donations in Joeys name earmark them In Memory Of Jeff Hyman" and send them to The Lymphoma Research Foundation, 111 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10006 or call 212-349-2910.

For additional press information, contact Ida S. Langsam at ISL Public Relations: 212-541-7595: islpr@aol.com.