Ramones

While debate persists over whether the Ramones originated punk rock, their position as its most consequential group remains beyond dispute, since they forged the exact template countless later acts would adopt. Drawing from the Who’s explosive energy and the MC5’s raw power, the breakneck simplicity of Iggy and the Stooges, and the moody or playful spirit of 1960s garage rock, they fused these strands into a stripped-down, groundbreaking style marked by relentless beats, heavily downstroked guitars, basic melodies, and wry, exaggerated lyrics that both ridiculed and honored pop culture along with adolescent existence. Tuneful yet ferocious, the Ramones championed a minimalist intensity that proved provocative; although the Clash, the Sex Pistols, Rancid, and Green Day all expanded on their approach, none of those bands or punk itself can be envisioned without the Ramones’ foundational influence. Their opening quartet of LPs—Ramones (1976), Leave Home (1977), Rocket to Russia (1978), and Road to Ruin (1979)—served as cornerstones for the group and the scene they helped ignite, while tracks such as “Blitzkrieg Bop,” “Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue,” “Pinhead,” “Rockaway Beach,” and “I Wanna Be Sedated” attained anthem status despite receiving scant radio support. Beginning in 1980, the Ramones issued a string of further albums that sometimes modified their core sound in pursuit of broader appeal, enlisting legendary producer Phil Spector for 1980’s End of the Century, introducing keyboard textures on 1986’s Animal Boy, and recording covers for 1993’s Acid Eaters, yet their strongest efforts from this period, notably 1984’s Too Tough to Die, stayed closest to their elemental strengths.

Hailing from the Forest Hills neighborhood of Queens, New York, the Ramones came together in 1974. At first a trio, the lineup featured Joey Ramone (vocals, drums; born Jeffrey Hyman, May 19, 1951), Johnny Ramone (guitar; born John Cummings, October 8, 1951), and Dee Dee Ramone (bass; born Douglas Colvin, September 18, 1951), while Tommy Ramone (born Tom Erdelyi, January 29, 1952) served as manager. Every member adopted the surname “Ramone” and wore torn blue jeans with leather jackets to evoke 1950s greaser style. Their inaugural concert took place on March 30, 1974, at New York’s Performance Studio. Two months later Joey moved to lead vocals and Tommy took over drums. By summer’s end the Ramones had secured a regular slot at CBGB, where they built a loyal following and prompted other artists to start comparable bands. Each set lasted roughly twenty minutes and consisted of an unbroken stream of brief songs rarely exceeding two minutes. Late in 1975 they landed a deal with Sire Records, becoming, after Patti Smith, the second New York punk act to secure a contract.

Early the next year the Ramones tracked their debut for slightly more than $6,000. Issued that spring, Ramones drew favorable notices and reached number 111 on the U.S. album chart. On July 4 the band made its first British appearance, where their music was already shaping a fresh wave of groups. The Ramones maintained an almost nonstop touring schedule throughout 1976, launching what would become nearly two decades of road work. Their second album, Leave Home, arrived before year’s end; although it barely registered stateside, it became a genuine success in England by spring 1977, climbing to number 48. By summer the Sex Pistols and the Ramones were viewed as the twin spearheads of punk, yet while the Pistols self-destructed the Ramones pressed onward. After the U.K. Top 40 single “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker,” they released their third album, Rocket to Russia, in fall 1977.

Tommy Ramone exited in spring 1978 but continued producing; former Voidoid Marc Bell joined and adopted the name Marky Ramone. With the new drummer aboard, the group recorded Road to Ruin, issued that autumn. The album represented their first deliberate shift, incorporating stronger bubblegum, girl-group, surf, and 1960s pop elements while becoming the first Ramones LP to exceed thirty minutes. Despite the more approachable sound, it failed to enlarge their audience substantially. Nor did Rock ’n’ Roll High School, the 1979 Roger Corman film featuring the band prominently. That year’s only other releases were the soundtrack to Rock ’n’ Roll High School and the U.K.-only live set It’s Alive. Most of 1979 was spent in the studio with Phil Spector; the title track from the Corman film appeared first, though the soundtrack also contained earlier Ramones songs remixed by Spector. End of the Century finally surfaced in January 1980 and met mixed reviews. Even so, the album’s cover of the Ronettes’ “Baby I Love You” became their sole U.K. Top Ten hit; in America no single charted, yet the LP itself reached their highest U.S. position at number 44.

Further crossover attempts continued with 1981’s Pleasant Dreams, produced by former Hollies and 10cc member Graham Gouldman; the record underperformed commercially on both sides of the Atlantic. The band stayed largely off the charts in 1982 while touring extensively. Subterranean Jungle arrived in spring 1983, produced by Ritchie Cordell and Glen Kolotkin of Beserkley Records. It neither broadened their reach nor halted the gradual loss of core fans and critical esteem. After its release Marky Ramone departed and was replaced by Richard Beau, formerly of the Velveteens, who took the name Richie Ramone.

Too Tough to Die (1984) offered a timely reply to America’s rising hardcore scene and was largely produced by Tommy Erdelyi. The album helped revive the band’s artistic standing, reinforced by the 1985 single “Bonzo Goes to Bitburg,” which critiqued President Ronald Reagan’s 1985 trip to Germany. Rather than build on that harder edge, the Ramones moved toward a more polished, streamlined version of their songwriting on 1986’s Animal Boy, a direction they maintained for the rest of their career. After 1987’s Halfway to Sanity, Richie Ramone left and Marky Ramone returned. The 1988 compilation Ramones Mania summarized their history. In 1989 they supplied the theme for Stephen King’s Pet Sematary, included on that summer’s Brain Drain. Bassist Dee Dee Ramone then departed to launch a rap career as Dee Dee King; after his rap debut flopped he formed Chinese Dragons. C.J. Ramone (born Christopher John Ward) took his place.

In the early 1990s both Joey and Marky sought treatment for alcoholism. The band resumed recording in 1992 with the live album Loco Live and then Mondo Bizarro, their first studio effort in three years. Mondo Bizarro sold poorly, as did the 1994 covers collection Acid Eaters. After its release, mainstream American rock listeners finally embraced punk through younger acts such as Green Day and the Offspring. Sensing an opening for the commercial breakthrough they had long sought, the Ramones followed Acid Eaters with Adios Amigos and announced that unless the album sold well they would disband after a farewell tour. Adios Amigos lingered only two weeks on the charts. Nevertheless the Ramones launched an extended farewell trek that filled the remainder of 1995. They planned to conclude in early 1996 until offered a slot on Lollapalooza, which they joined that summer.

After the festival run the Ramones disbanded, twenty years after their debut. Joey Ramone died of lymphoma on April 15, 2001, at age 49. Little more than a year later, Dee Dee Ramone was found dead at his Los Angeles home on June 5, 2002. Johnny Ramone succumbed to cancer on September 15, 2004. Ten years afterward, on July 11, 2014, Tommy Ramone—the last surviving original member—died of cancer at his Queens residence. Even with all four founders gone, the Ramones’ catalog continued to receive attention through archival releases. In 2016 Rhino issued a Super Deluxe 40th Anniversary Edition of the 1976 debut containing alternate takes, an unreleased concert, and a new mono mix. Expanded editions of Leave Home and Rocket to Russia followed in 2017, and a Super Deluxe Road to Ruin appeared in 2018.