As the audience enters the venue they will once again be greeted by musician Tracy Thornton, playing Ramones songs on the steel drum. And, in what has become a Birthday Bash tradition, Sean O'Sullivan's Punk Pipers will round out the night on the bagpipes. The fete will be emceed by Matt Pinfield and Peter Aschner. Additional surprises are expected at the evening's events.

Ramone, who passed away in April 2001 after a seven-year battle with Lymphoma, had a history of encouraging up-and-coming bands in New York's downtown music scene by showcasing them at his special "Joey Ramone Presents�" events. Since Ramone's passing, his brother and their mother Charlotte Lesher carried on the tradition "by featuring bands that make great music and getting together some of Joey's friends to celebrate him on what would otherwise be a sad, somber day," Leigh explained.

This year's Bash is being sponsored by Manic Panic, Trash & Vaudville & Tripp, and Village Voice.

Tickets are available in advance at the Fillmore box office for$25 ($30 day of show) or through http://www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/404523. The Fillmore is located at 17 Irving Place, corner 15th Street, NYC. Doors open at 7PM.

For ongoing updates, visit www.joeyramone.com. Net proceeds from the Bash go to support the Joey Ramone Foundation for Lymphoma Research.

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