Mickey Leigh talks to Eric Blair about his new book "I slept with Joey Ramone"Part 1

Eric Blair asks Mickey Leigh about how he delt with Joey's O.C.D. and how he felt about Joey being on S.S.I.

[@LoveliteLou]

You could not have done a better thing than to write this book, Mickey. The stigma of mental illness continues, and sometimes, only through celebrity stories, can others feel less removed from society's idea of "acceptably normal". You know I am a psych nurse, going into year 38 of my profession...and all I know is the more that can be written about using talents, intelligence, skills, and believing in one's abilites ..and showing that those things can allow a life worth living, to emerge, is the kindest thing you can do for anyone like Joey...and there are thousands..so, I know I am here to say...Great Job....and Joey is praising you, believe me. You were a good brother and continue to be ..... Love Louise

[@theduderinok2]

thumbs up. Yes I agree ..its a great interview. the interviewer knows how to not interrupt...a rare thing. Mickey seems like a good guy and it sounds like an interesting book. RIP Joey.

[@animalboy71]

I still can't believe they're gone.

[@michelle783]

As someone who has ocd herself, i could not be more grateful for mickey writing this book. there is such a massive stigma around the illness and it HAS to be talked about!

[@isaacleillhikar4566]

I dont think OCD exists. I used to have this like I had to do this, different thing, its not walking on the cracks, and not walking on tyles on the ground twice, like they have to stick to your step and gather them under your feet. And cant breack out. But its not that kind of cant. I could have gotten out. I'm sure you could go out of it. It isnt actually mean because its only a bit embarassing you do it. I'm not like you but i Can see i could have. Dont worry about it being called a clinical name, they're wrong.

[@OfficialMickeyLeigh]

@@isaacleillhikar4566 you're very wrong. yes, everyone has some compulsive behavior to varying degrees, for example = "did i lock the door? i better go back and check it." If you go back to check it once, that's not compulsive. IF you go back to the door just to turn the handle on it because you didn't do it a certain way = the "right" way =, then go back and do it again, and again and again, it is. ..obviously, you are able to control it. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is when you can't control the urge, but It controls you.

[@michelle783]

@@isaacleillhikar4566 how can you just say that you don't think OCD exists? do you have any idea how insensitive this is and how much this hurts for someone with OCD? we can't just "get out of it" the illness is so much more complex like that, if we could just go out of it we would have. compulsions are not a choice

[@isaacleillhikar4566]

@@michelle783 There are people who are so used to doing a one thing and that doesnt mean its an illness.

[@michelle783]

@@isaacleillhikar4566 theres a difference between "being used to it" and physically and mentally feeling like you have to do it and you don't have a choice though. anyway OCD is in fact an illness and all I did was thank Mickey for doing a great job talking about it and explaining it in the book.

[@largemarge2073]

I was thinking this should be carried in school libraries to give all kids hope . It's wonderful that the medical records were published - the mind is such an amazing human development. It's not realistic to think that even a highly trained and experienced Dr could begin to understand it 100% . I do hope that anyone interested in reading the book may have the opportunity to give someone hope with a more evolved and compassionate approach whether they are a physician, counselor, teacher parent or friend. Can you imagine if Joey's family had given up? If a child has diabetes, you provide treatment without blaming the child - the same should be done for mental health.

[@stevesandford8993]

Mickey Leigh has both the INSIDE TRACK (as a brother who obviously loved and understood Joey deeply...) and a more OUTSIDE TRACK (as a vital and contributing member of the RAMONES crew in every way...) and his excellent memoir is a MUST READ for all RAMONES fans... Although he never places himself above his subject, his insight, his intelligence, his regard and indeed his contribution shine through in this book... MUCH RESPECT, (and thank you for sharing with us, Mike...) xx SF

[@pompom7x728]

The girl with similar health problems as Joey had an excellent idea to write a letter to Mickey Leigh for thanking him about his book. If nobody talks, people feel lonely even though some others get through the same situation. One automatically feels better to be understood.

[@2legs2armsetc]

Its great that none of this was thematised when the band were becoming succesfull. People, myself included, simply accepted how they were and loved the image, it was obvious Joey was channeling his otherness positively and it worked brilliantly. That the Ramones achieved huge success in an age of saccarine sweetness was also testimony to the openness and imagination of the people that came to love them. He was just Joey, there was no need to categorise him.

[@JimmysRules]

Mickey Leig is such a very lovely brother

[@TiedyeRag]

The story of Johnny slapping the karate kid and his father had me crying. XD

[@tacomadc]

Mickey carries himself with a great sense of personal dignity.

[@AlmostReady504]

Mickey's book was extremely well done. I recommend it to everyone who has read all the Ramones books and the punk rock bible "Please Kill Me". Mickey Leigh sounds like a good dude God bless Joey

[@leahflower9924]

I didn't read please kill me but the first two chapters better be about the asheton brothers lol

[@MrJesseSmall]

true that! ugh this video is not long enough! it was such a great book

[@bluetanaka7471]

Read the book it was really good, detailed, full of depth and very interesting, I couldn't put it down.

[@malecozalam0021]

Same

[@djbryanladd]

Mickey is a super guy.

[@djbryanladd]

Mickey is a good guy.

[@erikmolnar6585]

I think Joey had a totally legit reason to get SSI.

[@aarondoodles3380]

Joey was the star...it's uncanny that he sounds like Johnny Ramones

[@HHChristine]

Just reading the book, great read!

[@flamingcabbage8359]

I know that Mickey loves him and everything, but it's just kinda sad to me that no one seems to talk about Joey without at least once mentioning what a nuisance he could be

[@leahflower9924]

Once he mentions the ocd that's a given lol

[@hypatiastanhope4716]

😔 r.i.p. Joey , Johny , Dee Dee and Tommy your music will live forever

[@imannonymous7707]

hes got an incredible story he looks a little rough tho hope hes ok

[@OfficialMickeyLeigh]

thanks! writing that book did take a lot outta me, but at that time i was on a promotional tour that was pretty grueling. there were 2-3 interviews every day. some were call in's for radio. other times I had to catch a night train from LA arriving in San Diego at 11pm to do some morning talk show there at 8am., which meant getting up at 6! - this one wasn't that early, but i did have to drive from LA to Orange County and be there by 11am. and, of course, i got lost. but, this was one of the best interviews and best interviewers i worked with.

[@sandrabosso4604]

​@@OfficialMickeyLeigh..il sorriso. Di Joey..lo amo..da sempre.

[@thomasdudley4558]

The hyman brothers were in a band called purple majesty a 3 piece power trio of which jeff Hyman produced he was also in a more pro club act called the intruders in 1966 he played drums and he plays on pm also way before any of the 70s rungren inspired glam bands I'm from Delco I know

[@OfficialMickeyLeigh]

just so he doesn't feel dissed- though my brother did take us into the studio to record two songs, he didn't play drums in Purple Majesty. my schoolmate, Andy Ritter, was the drummer.

[@slash3448]

Great interview.

[@jonathanbarber8174]

Mickey Leigh Thanks OCD.

[@bettywilder3739]

It’s a wonderful book.

[@nicolasduckworth4738]

Joey smoked?

[@PlayingWithPower64]

when was this interview recorded?

[@sarahwentforalemonwedgeand8991]

where the fuck is part 2 and 3

[@barbarajohansson2810]

Clever man.....

[@libertard6101]

Looks like Johnny thunders had a baby with Patti Smith

[@lamper2]

too fucking bad about danny fields-you should've printed his email in the book

[@jonathanbarber8174]

Talking O,C,D, Joey Ramone had O.C.D.

[@thomasdudley4558]

Tangerine puppets the intruders purple majesty sniper ramones

[@samuelstalcup]

From the side profile Eric Blair the interviewer looks like Ben weasel

[@closetome]

nice guy

[@rocioenevoldsen3463]

Don't talk about Joey like that.. . He looked fine I think you are over exagiraten. You should respect him. I don't think he would be very happy about you telling people something that he had the right to tell or not. You are sick. Making money out of this . Shame on you.

[@leahflower9924]

His mom said this too that all the doctors told her joey isn't ever gonna be normal of course they were wrong but it doesn't mean they didn't try to label him a freak

[@OfficialMickeyLeigh]

@rocioenevoldsen3463 - you shouldn't insult people about a subject if you're uneducated about the subject you're insulting them about.

[@sammyrodgers9355]

I just met Micky. Very Nice Cool dude. 🫡🫡