BBM has reported that Rory Rosegarten 's Rosegarten Films has secured the rights to "I Slept with Joey Ramone" , the only authorized biography of the late Joey Ramone , the lead singer of the seminal rock band the RAMONES , for a film on the legendary rocker's life.

The book, written by Joey 's brother Mickey Leigh along with Legs McNeil , longtime music writer and co-author of "Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk" , will be published by Touchstone Books (a division of Simon and Schuster ) in the fall of 2007.

In addition to securing the motion-picture rights to the book, Rosegarten also negotiated the rights to Joey 's life story from his mother and the executrix of Ramone 's estate, Charlotte Lesher . Rosegarten will also be working closely with Ramones Productions for the use of the RAMONES recordings in the film. Rosegarten will serve as a producer. Leigh will serve as an executive producer.

According to Rosegarten , "I grew up listening to the RAMONES and seeing them in concert. Joey 's story is fascinating and very touching. He overcame incredible physical and mental hardship to front one of the most influential bands in the history of rock and roll. He helped cement the RAMONES at the forefront of the punk movement in the late Seventies and Eighties, only to die a tragic death at 49. I am both thrilled and honored that Mickey and Charlotte have trusted me to help tell Joey 's story."

Leigh said, "I've been friends with Rory since 1979, when he unofficially managed my band, THE RATTLERS , until he went to college. I trusted him with my career and life back then, and now I trust him with my brother's life story. I am thrilled to have him by my side for this project. Rory and I finally get to work together on a story close to both of our hearts."

" Rory has been a friend of Mickey 's for a long time. He is a caring and thoughtful guy and I'm confident he'll handle this story with all the sensitivity it warrants," said Lesher .

Rosegarten continued, "I'm really amazed how many studios contacted me when the word leaked that I was going to do this project. Everyone has been very enthusiastic about making a "Joey" film. The band has had a tremendous impact on popular music in the United States, but the most exciting thing is how huge they are worldwide. The movie will have an astounding foreign appeal."

Instrumental in helping Rory put this deal together was entertainment attorney Jon Moonves , who helped navigate through the legal twists and turns. Not an easy project to take on, it took nearly a year to finalize. Rosegarten observed, "Between the estate, Mickey and Ramones Productions , it was a giant jigsaw puzzle. This was a tricky deal, but everyone pulled together to make it work."

Source BBM

Sy Keeler, vocalist of the new reformed Onslaught, gives the update to BBM.

"Following the ONSLAUGHT live set at the Halloween special, the Barfly, Birmingham this coming Monday, 30th October, Sy Keeler will be taking over the decks, and playing selections from the now-finished [new ONSLAUGHT album] 'Killing Peace' . This will be the first public airing of the Andy Sneap -produced opus. I'll be playing a few of the songs which aren't part of the live set.

"The final mix was completed this last week and we are blown away with Andy 's work. It's been a pleasure to work with Andy (who has also, in the last month, recorded drum tracks for the new CHIMAIRA album, and is scheduled to work on the next MEGADETH release).

"Tickets for the Barfly gig on 30th are priced at £8 advance, with support from rising U.K. thrashers HEADLESS CROSS and SLAB ."

As previously reported, Onslaught drummer has announced the following message last week:

" ONSLAUGHT have now completed the recording of their new studio album 'Killing Peace' , which is due for release in February [via Candlelight Records ]. The album is an uncompromising mixture of true thrash tunes which will grab you by the throat.

"On a recent airing by Terrorizer 's Ian Glasper , the album was described as 'better than SLAYER at their best.' The record-buying thrash fans will be able to judge that themselves in February."

Commented Grice : "We don't feel is if we are competing against the likes of SLAYER etc. but we are sure giving these guys a run for their money."

Source BBM

Sander Gommans, After Forever's guitarist, has announced the following message:

"The past period I haven't been able to visit the forum a lot due to the recordings and the negotiations with the labels.
Well, the recordings are almost finished (I'll be in the studio for about one week more), this weekend we visited Prague to do something very special, more about that later!

About the new label(s), as you already might know we signed a deal with a Dutch company called The Entertainment Group, which will make After Forever an even more independant band with more financial means to accomplish our goals. They've made a lot of really cool things possible so far, you'll be aware of that when you listen to the album

There are also some rumors about a definite deal with Nucclear Blast, the upcoming week I'll tell you exactly what's going to happen. I'll make sure there will be a couple of new vids placed on the site in a few days, enjoy them!

See you later!"

Source After Forever