Rooftop Ramones

I normally wouldn’t follow up a recent post on inane Ramones trivia with another post about inane Ramones trivia, but while waiting for the Third Avenue bus with my kids earlier this week, I was struck by another arguably crucial revelation from Marky Ramone’s book that illuminated a question I’d posed here on Flaming Pablum a while back.

Those with a disarming amount of untapped cerebellum in their skulls may remember an entry I posted back in 2013, wherein I speculated that both the cover of Blondie’s Autoamerican and the video for the Ramones’ “We Want the Airwaves” took place on the roof top of 108 Leonard Street, otherwise known as the Clocktower Gallery.

Well, as it turned out, that was incorrect in both instances. The cover of Autoamerican — though a painting — was based on photographs snapped on the roof of a building on 8th Street and Broadway (see that whole explanation by clicking here and scrolling down).

Meanwhile, the Ramones did film a video on the Clocktower Gallery rooftop, but it wasn’t for “We Want the Airwaves.” It was for their cover of the theme from the “Spider-Man” cartoon. It’s a fun little clip, apart from the segments featuring Drew Barrymore needlessly expounding on a cartoon series that was on the air well before she was born. Here `tis…

For the longest while, I never did determine where the video for “We Want the Airwaves” was shot — but, once again, leave it to Marky Ramone’s “Punk Rock Blitzkrieg” to divulge the details.

According to Marky, the video for “Airwaves” was shot on the roof of Joey’s apartment building at the time, that being 115 East 9th Street (the big building below as seen from Third Avenue). That actually makes more sense, given the visual proximity to nearby landmarks like the Consolidated Edison clock tower on the corner of 14th Street and Irving Place.

Anyway, now ya know. Here it is, once again.

And, because no one asked for it....here are more videos filmed on Manhattan rooftops!

Comments

[Tom Kennedy]

I was there as guitar tech for Johnny it was at Joey’s on the roof for sure Danny and I set up some Props some road cases, guitars and drums There was a bunch of crappy getto blasters and a sledge hammer lol Hung out at Joeys with him and Linda in his deluxe but small apartment Linda was super polite offering my coffee/drink so I had a coke The video was shot by a guy from Boston I think Everyone was late as always it was a hot summer
day in the village
Gameshow

[Tom Kennedy]

Another time I was in the back of the van with Marc and Dee Dee was in the coveted front seat with Monty at the wheel as we waited the usual hour for Joey suddenly Dee Dee yelled “hey Debbie” she came over and it was Debra Harry from Blondie! They were chatting and she stuck her head in the window and looked in back then she asked Dee Dee who I was and he replied that’s Tom our roadie to my amazement she said “hummm he’s cute” talk about making my day!
Turns out she lived in the same building but they never knew she lived there and had know idea lol
Also the same place where Johnny was unfortunately attacked across the street
I have no idea who owned the apartment but Joey and Johnny were often there
We spent countless hours there sitting in the van waiting for Joey!
Gameshow 🎸