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CJ RAMONE
NEW EUROPEAN TOUR AUGUST 2009

CJ Ramone is the artistic name of Christopher Joseph Ward, born October 8th 1965, known as the famous latest bass player of the most legendary and classic north american punk band: the beloved Ramones.

CJ RAMONE
NEW EUROPEAN TOUR AUGUST 2009

CJ Ramone is the artistic name of Christopher Joseph Ward, born October 8th 1965, known as the famous latest bass player of the most legendary and classic north american punk band: the beloved Ramones.

He gave the band a much needed breath of fresh air, an injection of new youthful blood and a much younger image. He sang many well-known Ramones songs as well on stage. When the Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame original Ramones drummer, Tommy Ramone, credited C.J. with "keeping the band young".

CJ joined the band in 1989 filling the most difficult shoes to be to filled: Dee Dee Ramone's -- founder and main composer of the band. Before becoming a Ramone himself, Ward was a fan of the Ramones, particularly of Dee Dee.
Later, they played together in a band called The Ramainz, which was formed by Dee Dee Ramone, Marky Ramone and Dee Dee's wife, Barbara Zampini. He also played with Los Gusanos and his last group effort was with Bad Chopper .

He's now -for the first time ever- going out to play, simply, as how the world got to know him better: CJ RAMONE, a name he gained in his own right.

CJ offered new life and thrill to a band that was already showing the passing of time. His first show with The Ramones was on September 30, 1989, in Leicester, England, and he played with the band until they retired on August 6, 1996. He made his recording debut in one of their most acclaimed records, "Mondo Bizarro" (1992). In spite of his youth at the time, on the record he sang one special song which was to become the bands' true last instant timeless classic: "Strengh to Endure", proving that Dee Dee's shoes were being well taken care of. CJ wrote also two great songs on their last studio record. He sang a total of 10 studio songs with the Ramones proving to be an excellent singer and the ideal companion to Joey, who as time went by, let CJ sang more and more songs on stage.

He was the man responsible to keep the "one, two, three, four!" before each song night after night: a true trademark in the Ramones' shows. Despite the initial suspicions, CJ was widely accepted by all of the fans making the dream of many come true: joining his favorite band. That's why the fans identify so much with his role, and still supported and cheer him. At the beginning of his first concert he was welcomed by several "fuck  you's" from the audience who wanted none but Dee Dee.   But by the end of the set,  his performance had been so amazing that he had turned them all to applauses and chants of "CJ! CJ! CJ!"

He stayed with the Ramones for 8 years, travelling the world by Joey and Johnny Ramone's side countless times. He recorded half a dozen albums and sang many songs on  the following  albums : "Loco Live", "Acid Eaters", "Greatest Hits Live", "We're Outta Here", and "Adios Amigos!", and sang all the songs Dee Dee used to sang, emerging as an excellent singer during his interpretation of classic tracks such as "Love Kills" and "Wart  Hog".

CJ also had a key role in the shows for the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Ramones in New York and Los Angeles in 2004, during which he played side by side with his former band-mate Marky as well as with members of such bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sex Pistols, Henry Rollins, Rancid, and White Zombie. He was also invited to perform during the farewell parties for two of the most legendary NY clubs: the mythical CBGB and The Continental. More recently he has been recently invited by Pearl Jam to play "I Believe in Miracles" on June 24th and 25th, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

After a brief project called Los Gusanos, CJ devoted himself to family life and it was not before year 2000 that he decided to form a new project Bad Chopper, a name that relates to CJ's love for bikes. A born biker, CJ had a Harley-Davidson that he modified to his taste and originated his group's name.

As lead singer and composer of all the repertoire songs, CJ proved his will to rock hard again by launching Bad Chopper's first CD in 2008, an album written during critical and dark moments of his personal life, in which CJ still makes room for visions of a better future. Comparisons to Ramones are inevitable, but not unique. CJ reveals his deepest personal influences: from classic bands like Ramones, Stooges, Sex Pistols, Dead Boys, The Damned to more modern bands like Zeke, Speedealer, Fu Manchu or Queens of The Stone Age. Music is simple, but it glows by itself. It is still being acclaimed by many of the fans and the press as the best work ever recorded by any of the Ramones after the band's break-up. Just listening to this CD once will be enough to understand the reasons why CJ saved the biggest punk rock institution ever: The Ramones.

CJ had toured recently in South America, Japan and the USA to critical success with Bad Chopper, still proving Ramonesmania is well alive and kicking. He's also currently writing his own book talking about his years with the band, with a planned release date of fall 2010.

Soon, his new self-titled CD will be release in Europe, accompanying and reinforcing the new and more than prestigious tour of Europe, currently being scheduled for August 2009, which includes 4 confirmed dates as openers for German mega-punks Die Toten Hosen in arena sized stadiums.

On the new tour, CJ will effectively prove to his fans that  he has not been wasting his time, but renewing himself and moving forward. CJ will be touring with a new all-star band comprised of himself on bass and vocals, Daniel Rey ("the 6th Ramone" - legendary Ramones producer and associate) on lead guitar, and Brant Bjork (of Kyuss/ Fu Manchu / Queens of the Stone Age/ Melissa Auf der Maur fame) on drums.

Too good to be missed. Be there or be square.


Stay tuned for more rock & roll.

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