CJ Ramone talks about auditioning for The Ramones - gearing up for auction

Christopher Joseph Ward, better known as "CJ Ramone," is an American musician who was the bassist for the punk rock group The Ramones, from 1989 when he replaced Dee Dee Ramone, until the band’s 1996 break-up. But he’s still rocking, and shows no signs of stopping.
“I absolutely feel obliged to keep the legacy going,” he says. “I 100 percent do.”
Imagine being a fan of punk’s seminal pioneers, and then finding yourself part of the band. “I was a huge fan since I was a kid,” says Ramone, the eventual youngest member of The Ramones by nine years. “[Then] I played in the band for seven years.” Johnny Ramone claimed he knew immediately when CJ auditioned to replace Dee Dee that he was the right fit, commenting that CJ "had the right look." When The Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, original drummer Tommy Ramone credited CJ with "keeping the band young."
CJ sang lead on “Strength To Endure” and wrote two tracks for the band’s farewell album, “¡Adios Amigos!” He played at their epic final show, delivering those iconic “1-2-3-4!” shouts and rubbing shoulders onstage with Eddie Vedder, Tim Armstrong and Lemmy.
RR Auction is honored that CJ has chosen to share some of his personal mementos of his time in The Ramones during it’s Marvel’s of Modern Music auction July 12-19.
It wasn't easy for him to part with this huge part of his life, but he wants fans to have the opportunity to own a piece of music history, too. He started out as a fan, and knows where that can lead.
Highlights include:
CJ and Dee Dee Ramone's Ampeg SVT Bass Amplifier Head and Bass Cabinet.
CJ's stage-used signature Mosrite bass guitar.
CJ Ramone's personally-owned and stage-worn Schott NYC leather motorcycle jacket.
Dee Dee Ramone's Handwritten Lyrics for Mondo Bizarro, with 'Poison Heart' Demo Tape.
Additional items include: Tour Itineraries, Backstage Passes, Concert T-shirts and Posters.
More details can be found online at www.rrauction.com.
www.rrauction.com
CJ Ramone - Moral to the Story (Official Audio)

[@TeenageManiaMusic]

CJ never got enough recognition.

[@dankmansalley417]

Ayy bro I love your channel

[@TeenageManiaMusic]

@@dankmansalley417 thx man

[@tonym994]

hey, CJ, Johnny may not have told you, but Marines are on his AOK list.

[@Denis-pj6zg]

Saw CJ with the band Detroit - in small venue back in ‘91 - he totally fit in and was great. Sure, wish I could have seen DeeDee but the band is what it is at the time you see it and that was one great show.

[@-Ricky_Spanish-]

I feel the same about Richie the more I learn about him and his situation.

[@chris_mic]

I have only ever seen the Ramones with CJ on bass. Never disappointed.

[@tonym994]

he played the RAMONES' last stand.

[@fredrikstadwhite]

Same here. I saw them seven times with CJ, always fantastic. My first time was his first show.

[@fergamarrasmaco]

CJ sounds like a really nice guy,

[@macininomagico2951]

I just recently discovered the Ramones: I'm "kinda" young and I'm Italian and the guys were known here until the early nineties. But since I'm always in search of something that makes my heart pound, it was just a matter of time to fall in love with them after accidentally hearing about them (pay attention: I heard OF them... didn't HEARD them playing or talking and I even didn't see them at first). When I heard them it was LOVE. I just got so enamoured of the fist original set with Tommy, that I hardly ever accepted any other "newer" Ramones member. And, of course, I found Dee Dee just perferfect and irreplaceble. I still think so. But the same moment I saw C.J. on stage it was like a flash in my mind: the guy was not Dee Dee but he "felt like" Dee Dee and he was also someone with a strong personality of his own. When I got to listen to "Three Angels" and some interviews, I cried rivers: C.J. was SO SWEET and honestly in love with the Ramones... he was so naturally picking up Ramones' legacy. He was like a son, a nephew, a younger brother to them. Really a part of the family. He was (and IS) so wild, good-hearted, forever young and I'm sure he gave the band the big shake they needed after Dee Dee's quitting. Thank you for being a vibrant part of this adventure C.J!!!

[@refuseresist4230]

Can’t stop looking at this interview, nice very nice.

[@natepadilla6326]

I met CJ one time. He's really down to earth, really cool dude.

[@anguswalsh2387]

My favourite bass player also best replacement for Dee Dee Ramone! GABBA GABBA HEY!

[@Share-zv5uw]

Wow!!! Great CJ!

[@Three_Sevens]

I didn't realize he was in for seven years he should have been in the hof

[@erictausch6198]

Yeah that sucked. I wonder if Joey was alive would he have made sure CJ was there with them. It's not like there was any bad blood with CJ and DeeDee that I know of. To me it has the feel of a Johnny thing.

[@Bietel]

@@erictausch6198 Yes. Most things that raise eyebrows here and there turn out to be "a Johnny thing" somehow, I think. I read his book, Commando, and... in my opinion... let's say it's full of 'Johnny things'. Very insightful, in particular if you have also read the memoirs of Dee Dee (unreliable but very Dee Dee), Marky (pretty down to earth - relatively), and a book with the clever title "I slept with Joey Ramone" which is a punk rock family memoir by Joey's brother, Mickey Leigh. One of my bands opened for the Ramones once, I did not meet Johnny (who kept to himself, well fair enough) but Marky was videoing our soundcheck, CJ wasenthusiastically talking to everyone, and Joey was quite shy but a nice guy...

[@Lengsel7]

I've been to ONE show. .....One. .......I'm a fan. Always have been. Always will be.

[@carromacumba]

Unbelievable!!!

[@1deplatt]

great story. what a dream come true

[@opaljk4835]

I remember reading (maybe it was On The Road With The Ramones) and in that he said he smoked a bag of angel dust before going to the audition lol

[@ruthlessreid9172]

Great story!

[@joshd2597]

What a story!

[@vamboroolz1612]

“Hit it C.J.”

[@pompom7x728]

I LOVE HIM !!! 😱🎸🎼🤩🔥🌺😊🇨🇭🤟🏼

[@pauljackson6296]

Go deh CJ!

[@Muppio]

Lucky person owning that bass amp now.

[@badbasstrilogy]

WHATs the instrumental off ? .....I remember a copy of The Ramones album on cassette: You could switch channels so you had just Bass and Drum or Vocal and Guitar ....By panning left/right..! wouldnt mind an instrumental collection-Any ideas?

[@felixdeschambault5648]

The first album was recorded like that

[@Palace-of-Madness]

"What We Gonna Do Now" Track 1 off the amazing debut album from CJ Ramone aka 2013 - Reconquista

[@NBM3]

Good things !

[@hyperdog67]

Wow..

[@redrubber69]

Halo, Can i using some of your video clips for my video reproduction for education?

[@ianbarnett4511]

CJ RAMONE IS THE BEST. REALLY COOL 😎 GREAT GUY. BARNEY GLASGOW. 🤩

[@docnasty74]

I thought CJ was in the brig at Pendleton.

[@Squiggles95]

CJ looks so different!!

[@karlfarrartist]

Destiny

[@suggoz]

Who edied this vid? Clearly someone that dont know that the BACKGROUND music is to be played in the BACKGROUND!

[@elsolitario1741]

he looks really old whatever happened to his life...

[@jennimadden1061]

Nah! He's fine. He just grew a beard. He's ready to do what he's always wanted to do but was too busy touring!

[@jackaction7077]

Yeah he aged pretty fast😂😂😂

[@chris_mic]

Don't forget, Joey died almost 20 years ago and the Ramones last played in 1996. People get older.

[@AlmostReady504]

Did not recognize CJ