Richie Ramone, known for his role as the drummer of the iconic band the Ramones in the 1980s, has recently been appointed to the Board of Directors for Ramones Productions, Inc. This appointment follows the removal of former RPI director David Frey from his position just a few weeks ago.
Mickey Leigh, also known as Mitchel Hyman and the brother of Ramones frontman Joey Ramone, expressed his excitement about Richie Ramone joining the board, stating, “I am thrilled to welcome an actual Ramone to RPI’s Board of Directors.” Leigh emphasized Richie’s profound understanding of the Ramones’ music and his dedication to preserving the band’s legacy as invaluable assets to the company.
Richie Ramone, born Richard Reinhardt, became a member of the Ramones in 1983, contributing to albums such as “Too Tough to Die,” “Animal Boy,” and “Halfway to Sanity.” Following his departure from the band in 1987 due to financial disputes, Richie Ramone pursued a solo career, releasing three albums. He also collaborated with Joey Ramone on the posthumous album “…Ya Know?” in 2012 and authored his autobiography, titled “I Know Better Now: My Life Before, During, and After the Ramones,” in 2018.
The decision to appoint Richie Ramone to the board came after the removal of David Frey, which was a legal win for Linda Cummings-Ramone, the widow of Johnny Ramone. Cummings-Ramone, who holds a 50 percent stake in RPI along with Leigh, succeeded in ousting Frey from his position on the board. This development disrupted plans for a forthcoming Netflix film featuring Pete Davidson and based on Leigh’s memoir “I Slept With Joey Ramone,” as the arbitrator found Frey to be significantly involved in the project without obtaining Cummings-Ramone’s consent.
Legal disputes between Cummings-Ramone and Leigh have been ongoing, with a lawsuit filed by Cummings-Ramone against Leigh and Frey earlier this year related to the film’s development. Cummings-Ramone voiced concerns that the film could jeopardize the production of an authentic biopic about the band. In response, Frey and Leigh filed a countersuit, asserting that the film was not intended as a biopic but rather as an adaptation of a family memoir. The future of the film remains uncertain pending further negotiations between the involved parties.
The addition of Richie Ramone to the Board of Directors at Ramones Productions, Inc. signifies a new chapter for the company as it navigates internal changes and legal challenges surrounding its business operations and creative projects.
