The video for Joey Ramone’s “New York City,” from his critically lauded posthumous album “…ya know?” (BMG Rights Management) premiered exclusively across VEVO, the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform on September 25, 2012. Award-winning filmmaker Greg Jardin directed the innovative, groundbreaking stop motion film, which includes over 1600 photographs taken throughout New York City, and boasts cameos by dozens of New Yorkers, including some of Joey Ramone’s closest friends and family.
Jardin enlisted over 100 participants to appear in the video, ranging from Tommy Ramone, celebrity chef and author Anthony Bourdain, acclaimed musicians and denizens of the punk scene (Andy Shernoff of the Dictators, Matt & Kim, Andrew WK, Reggie Watts, members of Les Savy Fav, The Drums, and the Flatbush Zombies; JP Patterson, Ricky Byrd, Tish & Snooky Bellomo, and legendary photographer Godlis), stars of television’s 30 Rock (Scott Adsit, John Lutz and Kristen Schaal), Ramones’ producer Ed Stasium, and Joey Ramone’s brother, musician and author Mickey Leigh.
A few dozen everyday New Yorkers were recruited off the street to participate in the video as it was being filmed, lending the clip an added air of authenticity: this eclectic mix of people from all walks of life embodies the spirit of both the city Ramone loved, and the song it inspired.
