Alex Chilton

Alex Chilton showed up in New York on the punk rock scene from Memphis in the mid-Seventies, playing clubs like CBGBs. With Big Star and the Box Tops already behind him, he was an old man, playing a disguised loud, sloppy version of the pure pop he'd created in the past. Record stores like Bleecker Bob's had his 45s, autographed in thick cardboard sleeves. He didn't get into the Rock ad Roll Hall of Fame this week. He was 59 when he died in New Orleans today. He'll be a Death of The Day tomorrow.

Verdict in Ramones curse murder

The killing of Linda Stein, aka The Ramones Curse Murder, was a hot topic on this site in late 2007, after the punk band's manager turned real estate mogul, was found bludgeoned in her swank apartment and her personal assistant was charged.

Natavia Lowery claimed she snapped because the tough-taking 62-year-old cancer survivor yelled and cursed and blew marijuana smoke in her face.

This evening in Manhattan, more than two years down the line, a Manhattan jury convicted Lowery of second-degree murder. It was the top charge; she faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Prosecutors says it wasn't the pot smoke, but that the assistant got caught stealing.

As we'd predicted at the time, the case inspired an episode of Law & Order.


The Ramones Curse, of course, encompasses the early deaths of Joey, Johnny and Dee Dee, and, according to the excellent, brutal and depressingly honest new book I Slept with Joey Ramone, written by Joey's brother Mickey Leigh with Tabloid Baby pal Legs McNeil, everyone even remotely connected to the group.