New York City Honors Joey Ramone With a Street

November 30, 2003 - The corner of the Bowery and 2nd Street was renamed today as "Joey Ramone Place", in memory of the singer of the Legendary Punk-Rock band "The Ramones".

The street corner is located in the East Village, half a block north of the CBGB nightclub (place where The Ramones and other local rock bands started their careers), and was crowded with over one-thousand people that waited to witness the unveiling of the sign that, until the time of official ceremony, was covered with a Ramones' T-shirt.

At around 2pm, Arturo Vega, longtime friend of Joey Ramone and artistic Director of The Ramones, gave a short speech about his friend and among other things, said: "His music continues to motivate and inspire young punks all over the world. Joey loved his fans in Argentina, Brazil and Japan but his heart was in his home in the East Village of New York City".

The crowd cheered to those remarks and sang The Ramones' classic "Hey Ho, Let's Go" while Mickey Leigh (Joey's brother), Charlotte Lesher (Joey's mother), Marky Ramone (The Ramones drummer) and New York City Council members approached the corner for the official ceremony. 

A few minutes later, the sign was uncovered and, while local politicians gave their speeches or at least tried to, the crowd interrupted them screaming the "Hey Ho, Let's Go" cheers and clapping in honor of Joey.

On this cold Sunday afternoon, a coffee truck identified as "The Mudtruck Gourmet Street Coffee" parked a few feet away from the corner and treated the public with free coffee alleging: "Compliments of Joey".

The initiative to rename a New York City street with the name of the legendary punk-rocker was taken by 20 year old Maureen Wojciechowski, who brought the proposal to the East Village Community Board in October of 2001 and was asked to come back with a petition signed by local residents and businesses supporting her plan to honor the late punk icon. A few weeks later, she returned with more than 300 signatures and left with a unanimous decision by the Board's Public Safety and Transportation Committee in favor of the homage.

Joey Ramone died of cancer on April 15, 2001.

© EasyNewYorkCity/Gabriela Diaz