FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL '01
What I did on my summer vacation
photos by Japan's rock and roll ace photographer, Yuki Kuroyanagi
THE FIFTH ANNUAL FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL TOOK PLACE ONCE MORE IN THE BEAUTIFUL, LUSH TREE-LINED PASTURES OF NAEBA, THREE HOURS' DRIVE FROM TOKYO. THE ORGANIZERS OF THE FESTIVAL,WHO ARE LONG-TIME RAMONES BUSINESS ASSOCIATES, WERE NOT HAPPY WITH THE FACT THAT THE RAMONES NEVER PERFORMED AT THIS FESTIVAL - SINCE IT STARTED IN 1997, A YEAR AFTER THE RAMONES RETIRED. THIS, PLUS THE TRAGIC LOSS OF JOEY, MOTIVATED THE PROMOTERS TO TURN THE WHOLE EVENT INTO A CELEBRATION OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP IN MEMORY OF JOEY AND THE RAMONES.
DURING THE OPENING CEREMONIES, I READ A LETTER FROM THE RAMONES THAT WAS ADDRESSED TO THEIR JAPANESE FANS AND THE PROMOTERS OF THE EVENT, THE SMASH CORPORATION, PARTICULARLY ITS FOUNDER (A PEOPLE'S PERSON) WHO SIMPLY GOES BY THE NAME MASA. MASA CONSIDERS HIMSELF ONE OF THE FANS, SO IT WAS A VERY SINCERE AND EMOTIONAL CEREMONY.
HERE IS THE LETTER.
Hello friends, We like to take this opportunity to send our greetings to all our fans in Japan. We always enjoyed very much touring this country of energetic nice people and delicious food.
We want to thank you all very much for coming to our shows during our years of touring, and for being here now. You our fans and friends, make it all possible.
We also want to express our gratitude to Smash Corporation for their support then and for their support now, this tribute is an honor and a reminder of the feelings of friendship and respect that the Ramones and their friends in Japan have for each other. We The Ramones miss visiting this exiting country.
We are retired now, but even if we lost our dear "brother" and lead singer Joey, the spirit of Punk lives on, and it will continue to live and grow as long as there is young people willing to be themselves, and to make music that is direct and sincere without unnecessary distractions. The best Rock n' Roll was always fast fun and furious, and that's exactly what Punk Rock is all about.
Thank you for keeping us in your heart. We remember you too.
HEY HO LET'S GO, AND HAVE A GOOD TIME
Johnny Ramone, DeeDee Ramone, CJ Ramone, Marky Ramone.
The Ramones.
Not the Golden Arches.
Not the entrance to the Hell's Angels' clubhouse, but rather part of the facade of an ancient Shinto temple.
Fuji Rock Festival creator and promoter Masa talks to the crowd about his personal relationship with the Ramones.
Arturo tells the crowd he has a letter from the Ramones.
Masa translates while Arturo just stands there, thinking of tasty noodles.
Also present, representing the New York music community, was Lenny Kaye. Lenny was performing at the festival with the Patti Smith Group. He talked about Joey's tireless efforts to promote and stimulate New York's local bands and club scene. Bob Gruen read a thoughtful letter from Joey's mother Charlotte.
At the end of the ceremony, Joey's mic stand was placed at the center of the empty stage while the screens showed the Ramones performing "Blitzkrieg Bop."
After the ceremony, it was time for a cold one. Elizabeth, Bob and Arturo.
This fan is proud to show his colors.
This was the "Field of Heaven" area. The most alternative and free of the five stages. Here you could find booths promoting revolutionary groups from South America or North Africa, along with gurus peddling all kinds of different belief systems ... and the organic or inorganic substances to enhance the experience.
On the hills behind Arturo we can see some of the 30,000 campers who claimed their spots for the three days of the festival. The total number of attendees was way over 120,000.
The theme of the festival was "Hear the music, breathe the air, drink the water." And it was all good. The water actually tasted a lot better than some of that shit we have to pay for these days.
Here we have a view of the main stage and its beautiful surroundings. Walking around alone made me realize this was the first time that I participated in a Ramones-related event without the band being there. Once again I felt the power of rock and roll, and particularly the power of four punk rockers who were only looking for something to do, and found a way to change the world.
I want to say thanks to Masa, Dai, and Shigemi from the Smash Corporation., some of the coolest rock and roll businesspeople (yes they do exist) I have ever met, for their hospitality and the great opportunity to represent the Ramones in their event.
And of course, thanks to my friends and hosts in Tokyo, the president of the Ramones Fan Club in Japan (and Japan's rock and roll ace photographer), Yuki Kuroyanagi and her husband Hide. Last but not least, thanks to my favorite bad girl in Japan, Atsuko Katagiri.
DOMO ARIGATO