Becoming a Ramone | Fender

#punkinspired
Christopher Joseph Ward, better known as CJ Ramone, really only went to audition to play bass for famed New York punk rock band Ramones because he was a big fan.
"I wasn't intimidated; I wasn't nervous because I wasn't going there to get the audition. I was going there to meet the band," shared Ward.
After a few callbacks, however, he realized he actually had a chance to get the gig.
Learn the full story about how he became part of the legendary punk band in this video.
The accessibility of punk-rock music has inspired many ambitious musicians to pick up a guitar and try their hand at basic power chords. Touché Amoré’s Nick Steinhardt is one of those artists who had an interest in punk, but taking that style to the next level was even more appealing. Learn more about Steinhardt's thoughts on punk in this exclusive interview.
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Becoming a Ramone | Fender
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[@ImBobbyRicigliano]

About 12 years ago in my senior year of high school, I drew a cartoon version of Joey Ramone while killing time. An art teacher saw it and wanted me to paint a mural of it on a blank wall near the cafeteria. About 4 years later, the same art teacher emailed me to tell me that CJ Ramone moved into the neighborhood on LI and his kids were part of the district. He was going to headline a fundraiser show at the school and play a bunch of Ramones songs. I was invited back to my old school to watch the show. Afterwards, he saw the mural and asked to meet me. We shared a great conversation and took a bunch of pictures together while he signed the mural. A seriously stand-up guy and a serious class act. He took time to meet every little kid there too. One of the coolest memories.

[@taffysaur]

Such a cool story, dude.

[@rafan1947]

👍👍

[@treyjenkins6405]

That's pretty rad, man.

[@johnhareiel5118]

Serious Props to your art teacher! What an Awesome guy!

[@becktvnc]

Great story, thanks for sharing

[@PatrickIvoryNight]

I love C.J. He is a real legend and a humble guy.

[@borissidealmeida]

This man deserves love

[@pimpbizkit_6911]

Ikr

[@timwildes8082]

CJ. Write a book about your time with the Ramones!

[@gnrncrue]

Cool guy, so glad he got on with the infamous Ramones....and he was loved by them.

[@tomparamone76]

that´s a amazing story how C.J joined the best band in the world!

[@NorthCascades]

I've always imagined playing with the Ramones. What an honor 🙃

[@edmundelee9283]

CJ is great... Odd dynamic replacing Dee Dee, one of his idols.. while Dee Dee is still actually contributing (very much so) to the band's song writing. Good job CJ... Love 'Scatter Gun'

[@jackfrazer5289]

You've got to love CJ Ramone a great bass player, and all round nice bloke.

[@krisfrosz133]

I love this video very much. I keep watching it from time to time. Proves that anything is possible and it doesn't hurt to give anything in life a try (legal stuff of course). Had CJ Ramone not gone to the audition because of laziness or whatever, he'd never get the opportunity to be in the Ramones, whether that was his intention or not. Thanks for sharing, Fender.

[@thayc3262]

I love this guy. What a show he puts on.

[@Lengsel7]

That's messed up how he called the Marines to straighten things out and they responded by arresting him.

[@fiendfrank]

Amazing story. Long live the Ramones!

[@apdmtv]

CJ seems to be the coolest guy in the world !!

[@pompom7x728]

Apdm why "seems"?

[@aarongorman6370]

That was an awesome story.

[@jevicci]

Love this story. Can you imagine?...

[@leftchicago]

What a great friggin' story!

[@TheNeverposts]

one day you're hanging out, shooting the shit, then suddenly you're carrying the torch of rock'n'roll. That's life for ya.

[@BearistaBear]

Riveting interview, great story!

[@NDWoj]

What a cool story....great story teller too.

[@metalinyourhead3604]

He’s coming to my local music hall In a few months. I gotta go see him now.

[@aysechrystaka]

Awesome story

[@vitaobassbr]

Nice to see him emotional talking about that

[@LuisAntonio-7]

Had a huge smile on my face watching this interview. Amazing, interesting story. CJ is so badass, great addition to the Ramones.

[@888kabe]

he says his first ramones show was in 89 but I'm sure I saw him play with them in 88 in Adelaide Australia. That was the first concert I ever saw, my mum dropped us off and picked us up and she wasn't happy because I couldn't hear anything she said in the car going home. great interview with cj btw.

[@suicidejunkiescumfuk159]

+888kabe pretty sure that was '89, 'cos they came to NZ aswell that year with C.J. But i think they may have come through in 88 with Dee Dee maybe.

[@MarcosJonatasdoAmaral87]

Cj is the besth!!!

[@ShaneBrewsterYT]

Little did CJ’s friend know... he just saved the Ramones.

[@hyperdog67]

Thanks.. that's a really nice thing to say.. I'm that friend.

[@patrickclark3337]

What a crazy story considering the details.

[@hittinskinz24]

that is one hell of a story

[@Mission2Transition641]

great story!

[@waylonjenninz]

Hell of a story.

[@TheRoberto44]

Take it CJ... 1, 2, 3, 4Ever Ramones!

[@krisb3429]

I saw you play 1989 in adelaide Australia. Must have been very early days for cj.

[@eaRamone]

Take it CJ!

[@polako2566]

I fucking love u CJ And all RAMONES

[@theguitarprogresschannel1907]

that's awesome that he is a marine. I'm joining in a few months.

[@tomipojaghi]

que grande

[@yukiramone1488]

What's song??

[@IvanSorath]

CJ is amazimg , hes humble he kick ass playing :) CJ RAMONE !!!!!!!! And what a rock and roll story xD

[@gregschineis5365]

What is the intro song

[@user-hv5uy7ct6g]

I saw the second show

[@beakerland]

What's the song in the beginning?

[@MonstrosityFFA]

Blue Lychee “The Job that Ate My Brain” off of Mondo Bizzaro

[@beakerland]

@@MonstrosityFFA thanks

[@MonstrosityFFA]

Blue Lychee no problem 🤘🏼

[@nunoharris]

Hi. What was the brand and string gauges that CJ was using with the Ramones? Thanks

[@ansem6167]

"30 dollars on a greyhound and sent me home" literally disgusting they don't care u are just a body to them

[@andydavenhall]

He looks like Robert De Niro..

[@Th3GaMb3r]

Wait he went to jail??? What for??

[@TheLordHighXcutioner]

AWOL

[@impalaman9707]

You had to BUY a pick? That's like pens and calendars! You can get 'em at any petrol station for FREE!

[@ThatKrookedVulture]

Jesus Christ he didn't even cram the night before the exam

[@wellthatisgr8er]

'Watching "YO! MTV Raps"'? WTF

[@MichaelD8393]

+Rastko Bojkovic That must've been the only *good* show on at the time. Luckily C.J. was in the Marines at that time. Today they might be watching shitty reality shows in the Core.

[@peanutbutterfly2]

First! :)

[@karstenman]

arjay buena GOOD JOB!

[@Avaloctus]

arjay buena maybe you become famous now.... ; )

[@napalm7932]

bla bla bla... no punk... marketing

[@daffy2115]

Awesome story