C.J. Ramone
From Punkopedia - The Punk, Hardcore, and Indie Encyclopedia
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| Homebase | New York |
| Born | October 8, 1965 |
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Christopher Joseph Ward (born October 8, 1965), better known as "C.J. Ramone", is an American musician known as the bassist for punk rock group The Ramones from 1989 to 1996.
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[edit] Biography
Christopher J. Ward was born in Queens, New York, though lived in Deer Park, New York for most of his young life.
He attended Ss. Cyril and Methodius School and graduated in 1979.
Prior to joining The Ramones, he served in the United States Marine Corps. He was a Ramones fan before he joined the band; especially a big Dee Dee Ramone fan, and has since played with him in a band called The Remains, or The Ramainz, which was formed by Dee Dee Ramone, Marky Ramone and Dee Dee's wife, Barbara Zampini (Barbara Ramone). He also played with Axe, Los Gusanos and is currently playing in Bad Chopper.
Ward replaced original band-member Dee Dee Ramone, though Dee Dee continued to write songs for the group. C.J. sang many well-known Ramones songs, and gave The Ramones a young image. When C.J. joined The Ramones he was seen as a breath of fresh air into the band which, by the mid-80s had slowed down and lost much of their onstage energy and presence. Johnny Ramone says he knew immediately when C.J. auditioned to replace Dee Dee that he was right, commenting that he "had the right look". When The Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame original Ramones drummer, Tommy Ramone, credited C.J. with "keeping the band young". C.J. also had the idea for the band to cover Tom Waits' "I Don't Want to Grow Up" on the album ¡Adios Amigos!.
C.J. Ramone was the youngest member when he joined, by 9 years. His first show with The Ramones was on September 30, 1989, in Leicester, England, and he played with the band until they retired on August 6, 1996.
[edit] Equipment
C.J. has used Ampeg Amplification throughout his career. When he joined The Ramones, they gave him a black mexican Fender Precision bass, with a white pickguard and a maple neck and that was his main bass for the first gigs with The Ramones. He also had a ESP Precision-based bass, creame with white pickguard. He then bought a white american Fender Precision with a white pickguard, which he later switched to a black to make it look more like Dee Dee's bass guitars. And then he finally got a vintage Fender Precision, like the basses that Dee Dee used to play. He would use that bass mainly the rest of his career. He has also used another Fender Precision, a Mosrite bass (where the colors was similar to the colors on Johnny Ramone's famous Mosrite guitar) and also a sticker-covered Fender Jazz Bass.
[edit] Other Projects
Before The Ramones Ward played in a band called Axe, it is said they recorded an album. After The Ramones disbanded Ward started a side project, a hard rock band named Los Gusanos. They recorded one self titled album in 1997 produced by Ramones producer Daniel Rey. After the album they called it quits in 1998. After the break up of Los Gusanos Ward formed Bad Chopper, which was originally called The Warm Jets. Their debut album is said to be finished as of February 4, 2007, now all that is needed is the artwork.
[edit] Interesting Facts
- C.J. Ramone's birthday is exactly 17 years after bandmate Johnny Ramone.
- C.J. was married to Marky Ramone's niece, Chessa; with whom he has two children. He is now married to attorney Denise Barton.
