Joey Ramone

I kept asking the Ramones, when they made their first visit to Champaign-Urbana, if they thought their music would ever be commercial.

"It already is," Johnny said.

I caught up with them later at a record signing event at the mall. Joey needed to buy some stuff at Osco's, and I went with him. He loped along, people gawking at his height, his leather, his general goofy demeanor.

I wanted to get a picture of the two of us together. He grabbed a bottle of shampoo and held it up, looking like a greasy-haired punk, and grinned.

I often showed the picture to people and they never failed to be impressed. Somebody must have stolen it, though, because I haven't seen it in years. Maybe it's in the basement.

Joey was the best.