Experiencing the RAMONES LIVE in 1993 From Backstage

by Johnny Forgotten
(Calgary Alberta Canada)

Johnny Forgotten: In 1993 I gained backstage access at a Ramones concert by "volunteering" as a security guard.

I was hanging out in the artist's refreshment area when a tall guy with long black hair and a leather jacket swaggered in and asked me where he could find a coffee. After he grabbed a coffee he was just standing there chilling out. Stunned, I turn to the guy and say " you're Marky Ramone"! Marky shakes my hand and says "nice to meet ya". After shooting the shit with him for 5 minutes, Marky says to me "say, why don't you come back to our trailer and meet the guys"?

So, I went with Marky back to the Ramones' off-limits ATCO trailer. I got to shake hands and say hi to all the Ramones back there. CJ Ramone was particularly talkative and friendly. I couldn't believe it, but not a molecule of a rockstar attitude was to be found.

Out of nowhere, a delivery guy shows up with a stack of about 15 pizzas --- just like in Rock n' Roll High School. Unbelievable! Joey, and Johnny came running and their manager distributed the pizzas. They totally offered me a slice too, absolutely classic.

While I was standing there having my slice, CJ Ramone suddenly appears and hands me one of the empty pizza boxes ... he had gone around and gotten all the Ramones to sign it without my knowledge. What a guy, and what an awesome band.

The gig itself was 11/10, and the set list was almost exactly the same as Loco Live. Before "Pet Sematary", Joey said " ... you know, beneath this cow pasture lies a pet sematary". TOTALLY classic and awesome Ramones!!

This is a picture of that pizza box and the poster for the concert.

CHEERS,
Johnny Forgotten