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Punk rocker's shout-out: Shecky Greene?

The Jerusalem Post interviewed “Loud Fast Jews,” the super group formed by four punk rock legends Handsome Dick Manitoba of The Dictators, Tommy Ramone of the Ramones, Blondie’s Chris Stein and Patti Smith Group member Lenny Kaye, on the occasion of their appearance at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research last week.

The four talked about their Jewish heritage and their influences:

Indeed, all four said the New York scene– their Brooklyn and Bronx neighborhoods, CBGB’s– influenced them personally and artistically. But yes, they were influenced by other Jewish entertainers of the day– from Ed Sullivan to Broadway composers to performers in the Catskills. “All that shtick was Jewish,” said Ramone, “and to me that was very important.”

“I’m sure what I spit back has a little Shecky Greene in it,” said Manitoba.

Who knew that Handsome Dick Manitoba was influenced by Shecky Greene?