Linda Ramone (born July 24, 1960) is an American philanthropist and widow of Johnny Ramone.[1] She is the co-owner and a president of Ramones Productions[2] and was the subject of numerous songs by the Ramones, including "Danny Says", and "She's a Sensation".[3] She is the founder and president of the Johnny Ramone Army, an organization acting on behalf of Johnny Ramone's estate which holds live events and charity fundraisers, preserving his legacy.[2][4]

Linda Ramone
Linda Ramone and Johnny Ramone
Born
Linda Marie Daniele

(1960-07-24) July 24, 1960 (age 64)
New York City, U.S.
OccupationPhilanthropist
SpouseJohnny Ramone (1984–2004; his death)
Websitelindaramone.com

Relationship with the Ramones

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Linda originally dated Joey Ramone but later dated and married Johnny Ramone.[5] Stories conflict whether Joey and Linda had broken up prior to Linda dating Johnny or if Linda left Joey for Johnny.[1] Her relationship with Joey and Johnny was referred to as one of the Top 10 Love Triangles by Time magazine[1] and one of the 10 Most Infamous Love Triangles in Music History by Complex magazine.[6] Joey and Johnny continued to tour as the Ramones, even after Linda married Johnny.[7]

Linda is the subject of numerous songs by the Ramones including "She's a Sensation",[8] "Danny Says"[2] and "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)".[2][3] Just before Johnny's death in 2004, he and Linda supervised the erection of an eight foot tall bronze memorial of Johnny at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.[9] Linda and Johnny were together for 20 years prior to his death.

In 2012, Linda released the book Commando, an autobiography written by Johnny Ramone.[10][11] Linda did numerous television interviews to promote the release of the book.[4][10]

Philanthropy

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Linda is the founder and president of the Johnny Ramone Army, an organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of Johnny Ramone.[2] She also founded the Johnny and Linda Ramone Foundation.[12] She organizes an annual event entitled the Johnny Ramone Tribute at Hollywood Forever to benefit the Johnny Ramone cancer research fund at USC Westside cancer research center led by Dr. David Agus.[2] The events have been attended by celebrities such as Lisa Marie Presley, Priscilla Presley, John Frusciante, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chris Cornell, Eddie Vedder,[13] Rob Zombie,[13] Kirk Hammett,[14] Steve Jones, and Traci Lords.[15] Additional celebrities who have taken part in the events include John Waters, Rose McGowan, Henry Rollins, Joe Dallesandro and Johnny Depp.[16]

Personal life

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In 2017, Linda was named to Harper's Bazaar's list of the 150 Most Fashionable Women Now.[17] In March 2017, she was credited as an inspiration to Gucci's new line, designed by creative director Alessandro Michele, featuring a "Hollywood Forever" Jacket.[12]

She also appeared as herself in the season seven finale of Portlandia.[18]

In a 2012 interview with Harper's Bazaar, she showed off the Los Angeles home that she had shared with Johnny Ramone. She now shares the home with her partner, J. D. King.[12][2] She also revealed that she collects fashion, music and movie memorabilia and maintains a museum-like house with an Elvis room, Barbie room, horror room, Disney room and rock and roll room.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Romero, Frances (September 28, 2010). "Top 10 Love Triangles – Joey Ramone, Linda Ramone and Johnny Ramone". Time Magazine. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Blasberg, Derek (2012). "A Fashionable Life: Linda Ramone". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  3. ^ a b Melnick, Monte (2007). On the Road with the Ramones. Bobcat Books. ISBN 978-1-84772-103-7.
  4. ^ a b Chris Kensler & Linda Ramone (April 3, 2012). Johnny Ramone is the driven, but practical, inventor of punk rock in autobiography 'Commando' (Television News). Fox News.
  5. ^ "Desperate rock wives: The women who've broken the most hearts in music". MSN Music. February 4, 2011. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  6. ^ Patterson, Julian (June 7, 2012). "The 10 Most Infamous Love Triangles in Music History". Complex Magazine. Archived from the original on June 10, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  7. ^ Werde, Bill (April 25, 2004). "Rock n Roll Standoff". The New York Times.
  8. ^ "Get the backstory on The Ramones' 14 studio albums". PBS. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  9. ^ Boucher, Geoff (January 10, 2005). "Johnny Ramone, forever – in bronze". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  10. ^ a b Moody, Nekesa Mumbi (January 18, 2012). "Johnny Ramone's Commando Autobiography To Be Released in April". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  11. ^ Gostin, Nicki (April 17, 2012). "Linda Ramone Q&A: Johnny Was Intense, Angry, Smart, Republican". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  12. ^ a b c "The L.A. Story Behind Gucci's Hollywood Forever Jacket in Stores Now". The Hollywood Reporter. March 27, 2017.
  13. ^ a b Vasquez, Denise (July 7, 2010). "The 6th annual Johnny Ramone tribute event at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery". The Examiner.
  14. ^ Kirk Hammett (September 28, 2010). Kirk Hammett interviewed at the 6th Annual Johnny Ramone Tribute (Radio). Indie 103.1 via YouTube.
  15. ^ Votaw, Emily (July 19, 2013). "Johnny Ramone Tribute to Be Hosted By John Waters". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  16. ^ Appleford, Steve (August 20, 2013). "Johnny Depp a Surprise Guest at Johnny Ramone Tribute". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  17. ^ Staff, Harper's Bazaar (January 10, 2017). "150 of the Most Fashionable Women Now". Harper's BAZAAR.
  18. ^ "Every Guest Star In The New Season of Portlandia". IFC.