When a NYC Street was Named Joey Ramone Place

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The Joey Ramone Place street sign is a highly coveted piece of metal for memorabilia collectors

The City of New York has commemorated many greats from the worlds of politics, sports, entertainment and other fields, by renaming a street in their honor. A few of these names include: Peter Jennings Way, which is named after the longtime ABC news anchor near the network’s HQ; George Carlin Way, where the comedian grew up on the Upper West Side; Miles Davis Way, near the West 77th St. apartment where the legendary trumpeter lived for 25 years.

On November 30, 2003, punk rock icon Joey Ramone was honored posthumously when the corner of Bowery and Second Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side was renamed Joey Ramone Place. The corner is near the location of CBGB, the downtown rock club where the Ramones started out, and the loft apartment where Joey lived. Speakers included Tommy Ramone, Marky Ramone, Steven Van Zandt and radio fixtures Vin Scelsa and Meg Griffin. Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz of the Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club were among those in attendance.

The Ramones were formed in 1974 and though none were related by birth, co-founder Douglas Colvin urged them to share a common last name. Colvin became Dee Dee Ramone and the others followed suit. Lead singer Jeffrey Hyman became Joey Ramone.

None of the original members survives; Joey, who was born on May 19, 1951, died of lymphoma on April 15, 2001. He was just 49 years old. In 2002, the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Not surprisingly, the street sign became a frequent target of rock memorabilia collectors and needed to be raised to foil would-be larcenists.