Primary Wave Music, the leading publisher of iconic and legendary music in the world, has announced they have finalized an agreement to acquire a stake in the music catalog of the legendary singer Joey Ramone. Hailed by the Guardian as the “most magnificently individual singer in American rock history,” Joey Ramone was lead singer and co-founder of the iconic New York City band, Ramones. Ramones debuted on the music scene in 1974 and would go on to become one of the most important bands in punk rock music. Terms of the deal include non-exclusive rights to license Joey Ramone’s name and likeness, as well as income for songs across the band’s repertoire of music.
Included in this exciting deal are some of the Ramones’ most well-known and biggest hits such as “Do You Remember Rock ‘N’ Roll Radio,” “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker,” and “I Wanna Be Sedated.” Also included is the band’s highest charting single, “Rockaway Beach” which Time Out declared a “masterpiece”, while All Music raved the track was “one of the group’s most carefree and breezy songs” adding “it’s easy to feel as jubilant as the song does.” The accolades don’t stop there. Rolling Stone included the band on their list of “100 Greatest Artists of All Time,” while Spin ranked them the second greatest band of all time in 2002. That same year they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Almost a decade later, the group would receive a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Joey’s brother and sole heir, Mitchel Hyman, says, "I'm happy to welcome Primary Wave as partners in my brother's interests in Ramones. I'm thoroughly convinced of their eagerness to perpetuate his legacy, and their sincerity about doing it in a way that will never compromise his credibility. I, very much, am looking forward to working with them."
Primary Wave Music’s David Weitzman adds, “In elementary school, when I first heard Beat on the Brat, it sounded like nothing I had ever heard, and changed my life forever. I had to learn more about this mysterious Ramones… it is an absolute honor & privilege to work with the music of tRamones and Joey’s heir.”
