1-2-3-4 Ever: Street Cred for the Immortal Joey Ramone Joe O’Brien Hundreds jammed the intersection of 2nd Street and Bowery on November 30th as the corner was officially named Joey Ramone Place, in honor of the late Godfather of Punk. Paying their respects and stuffing the sidewalks weren’t just Bowery-dwellers in leather jackets and Ramones T-shirts; All-American families three generations deep craned their necks in anticipation of the street sign’s unveiling, as did Ramones drummer Marky Ramone and hipster film icon Jim Jarmusch. However it was Arturo Vega, the Ramones’ art director and Joey’s former 2nd Street roommate, who said everything that needed to be said regarding the day’s importance in his open letter to the dearly departed legend:

“Dear Joey, You were right about many things, but the one that keeps coming back to my mind these days is your deep-rooted determination to make things better. I remember it became a joke between us, how often you were writing songs up in the loft, you wanted to finish them with the words, ‘And everything’s gonna be all right, oh yeah!’ You did it over and over again. We laughed about it, but then you still wanted the song to end that way. Today’s celebration makes a lot of things all right. On a personal, selfish level, I’m immensely proud that I can be somewhat connected to this well-deserved triumph. The Ramones are still a forward-thrusting rocket, and their influence continues to motivate and inspire young punks all over the world. I know you appreciated Ramones fans in Argentina and Brazil as much as the ones in Japan or Spain or Italy, but your heart was where your home was, and that of course was New York City, the East Village. So today this great city, and the coolest neighborhood in the country, that you helped make even greater, want to say thanks to you, Joey. You deserve this honor. The important part is, of course, that starting today, thousands and thousands of young people are going to come to look at your corner to stare at your name, which is now forever part of the city’s soul and body, and be inspired and agree with you, that everything is gonna be all right, oh yeah!”