It's a long way from CBGB
Not sure how to feel about this. Last time I saw the POPS was at the Rose Bowl during last year's Conflagration of July, wincing beneath an uninspired fusillade of poppy anthems.
Richard "Richie Ramone" Reinhardt was a smoking fast drummer, but he technically stopped being a Ramone 20 years ago when he quit the band.
The Pasadena POPS Proud to Announce Richie Ramone of The Ramones Featured Artist with The Pasadena POPSLegendary Ramones punk-rock drummer Richie Ramone drum solo of West Side Story.
WHERE: Descanso Gardens.
WHEN: Friday August 17, Saturday August 18, and Sunday August 19.May 29, 2007 -- To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the musical West Side Story, Richie Ramone, acclaimed punk rock drummer from the Ramones, performs the WORLD PREMIERE of the "Suite for Drums and Orchestra based upon Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story arranged by Ron Abel under the direction of Richie Ramone".
The shows will delight music fans of all genres. For three sensational nights in August, the 17th, 18th and 19th, when classically trained Richie Ramone of the world famous Ramones takes the stage at Descanso Gardens, the styles of punk rock and classical will finally merge in a moment that will be nothing short of historical.
Somebody Put Something in My Drink.
As the featured soloist with The Pasadena POPS Orchestra (www.pasadenapops.com), Richie Ramone--an extraordinarily gifted as well as technically skilled musician-- will be drumming a 17-minute interpretation of the Leonard Bernstein classic, West Side Story. This first series of performances with the POPS represents a new career direction for Richie Ramone, who will be touring with other symphony and pops orchestras through 2009.
Widely considered one of the fastest and most exacting drummers in rock music, Richie Ramone's unique style has inspired a generation of punk-rock fans. For his solo performances with the POPS, Richie Ramone will be playing with noted composer, musical director, arranger and keyboard player Ron Abel who created the Suite under Richie's direction. Ron Abel has worked with numerous stars of stage and screen, such as Lucy Arnez, Liza Minelli, Michele Lee and Shirley Jones, and has won awards writing the score for Twist of Fate.
The performances will be conducted by the brilliant Pasadena POPS Orchestra Music Director Maestra Rachael Worby (www.worby.com), who had the vision to understand the value of this as a performance and also as a way to encourage young punk and rock fans about other genres of music.
Richie Ramone was a member of the Ramones for five years. His world-renowned talents as a vocalist and songwriter as well as drummer for the Ramones are legendary. He drummed and sang back-up vocals, and wrote some of the best Ramones songs including the acclaimed "Somebody Put Something in My Drink." After a long absence from the music scene, Ramone wowed the audience at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash in 2006. Critics heralded his return as "the most exciting event" of the evening.
The last time a drum solo of West Side Story was performed in such fashion was by the late Buddy Rich.
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