The Ramones
Frequently known as the band who established the music genre of punk rock, The Ramones has changed the music scene of the 70s’ and likewise, changed music history forever. (Sisario) The Ramones had a special sound to them. They wanted to be different from the rock and roll genre that was immensely popular then. The Ramones wanted to rewind back to the basics of music. (Gallucci) From starting off as being high school friends to having 2,263 concerts after two decades later, The Ramones were and still is, immensely influential to the punk rock’s music scene. They have created songs and albums that have motivated famous punk bands now, namely, Green Day and the Sex Pistols, to form a band to duplicate their sound. (Erlewine)
Like every other band, Ramones had difficult times during their active years. They had new members joining their band to replace band members that have left. Ramones’ original members consisted of: Jeffrey Hymen/Joey Ramones on vocals, John Cummings/Johnny Ramones on guitar and Douglas Colvin/Dee Dee Ramones on bass and Tom Erdelyi/Tommy Ramones on drums. All of them converted their last name to Ramones, a name that was inspired by Paul McCartney as his band was one of the biggest influence in their music. (“The Ramones”) Formed in Forest Hills, New York in January 1974, where they met each other in that neighbourhood, Ramones have created traditions that people, including us, still use. When they played their “first concert on March 30, 1974, at New York's Performance Studio” (Erlewine), they had similar haircuts and wore ripped blue jeans, t-shirts with leather jackets together, an outfit that no musicians have ever worn. (6 Things) They created this look to build their own character but it soon became a trend that everyone followed. After a year of playing in a pub that allows underrated bands to perform, known as ‘Country, Bluegrass and Blues’, short for CBGB, Ramones was offered a contract with the Sire Records. They were the first ever punk rock band to be signed to a record label. (Melnick 48, 64)
After they were signed, the first ever album was released in May 1976, titled ‘Ramones’. This album was the “album that changed the face of music.” (Morgan) It was a contrast from the music that was in the top 10s of Billboard during that era. They had their own peculiar sound. It was something new and different, hence why the album didn't hit the top of the U.S charts, but only reached the 111th place as people were not used to their style of music. Their songs included the fundamentals of music. They solely stuck to just vocals, drums, and used only 3 chords for guitar and bass. This differed from songs by Queen, a band that was tremendously famous during that time period. Instead of writing songs about the usual love songs, Ramones wrote music about the negatives. They were the first ever to make music about not fitting into society, not being part of the norm, and how it’s not a problem to not fit with everybody. (Gallucci) This attracted audiences to listen to their music, gaining fans from not just in New York, but also in the U.K. “They appeared at The Roundhouse in London, England, on July 4, 1976, second billed to the Beatlesque Flamin' Groovies. Their appearance galvanized the UK punk rock scene, inspiring future punk stars including members of The Clash and The Damned.” (“The Ramones”) They started touring ever since, from 1976, until the band disbanded in 1996.
As the band became more well-known for their sound, creating more music while touring around the world endlessly, every band members of the Ramones were enjoying their lives as an influential musician, except for one. Tommy Ramones left the group by 1978 seeing that he preferred just producing music in the recording studio, rather than performing globally and needing to endure being made fun by his bandmates. Luckily, Tommy still helped out with Ramones’ album after leaving the group. Marc Bell/Marky Ramones came in to replace Tommy in drums. (Melnick 124) However, because the band is always on tour, partying and drinking alcohol was a part of the band’s routine. Marky was struggling to be sober as he had a habit of always being intoxicated. He was fired in 1983 as a result of alcohol addiction. Marc Bell was then replaced by Richard Beau/Richie Ramones though he left in 1987. Clem Burke/Elvis Ramones took over Richie and performed for two of the band’s gigs before Marky returned after he became sober. (“The Ramones”) Adding to the list of members departing from the band, Dee Dee Ramones, one of the original members, left Ramones in 1989 after he decided to strive for a career in rap music, naming himself as Dee Dee King. When Dee Dee was still a part of the band, he had a severe drug addiction. His obsession was so extreme to the point where he overdosed numerous times. (Melnick 218) Moreover, his career as a rapper was unsuccessful. Christopher John Ward/C.J Ramone joined the band to substitute for Dee Dee after he left.
After multiple albums released, the Ramones realized that none of their songs were successful, with their newest albums not hitting the charts at all. Bands that the Ramones influenced, such as Green Day and Nirvana, were populating the charts instead of them. The Ramones wanted to give their music career another chance. They decided that if their newest album, Adios Amigos, was not well received, they would disband. That was exactly how the Ramones ended. Adios Amigos lasted did not top the chart. The Ramones had their final year in 1996. (Erlewine)
Even though the Ramones were not the most successful punk rock band in the history, they were the ones who created the foundation of punk rock in terms of the music and also the image, which umpteen of new bands have followed. They played loud and energetic 3 chords songs while wearing leather jackets and ripped jeans. Furthermore, The Ramones were the first ever punk band to be “inducted into Rock n’ Roll Hall Of Fame”. (“The Ramones”) They weren’t famous during their active years but their songs can be easily heard anywhere now. They were featured in one of the episodes of The Simpsons and monuments and street signs of the band members were made, which are located in New York. These were all done out of respect and admiration, showing that The Ramones has had a huge impact on the revolution of music since the 1970s until now. (Melnick 279,280,284)
Work Cited
“6 Things Ramones Brought Back from the Dead – BBC Music.” BBC News, BBC, 22 Apr. 2016, www.bbc.co.uk/music/articles/dfcf1758-d245-4c45-8587-1d21b2ce54e8. Accessed on 29 October 2018.
Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. “Ramones | Biography & History.” AllMusic, www.allmusic.com/artist/ramones-mn0000490004/biography. Accessed on 29 October 2018.
Gallucci, Michael. “Revisiting the Ramones' Influential Debut Album.” Ultimate Classic Rock, 23 Apr. 2016, www.ultimateclassicrock.com/ramones-first-album. Accessed on 25 October 2018.
Melnick, Monte A., and Frank Meyer. On the Road with the Ramones. Bobcat, 2007.
Morgan, Chris. “How The Ramones Changed The Face Of Rock Music With Their Debut Album.” UPROXX, 23 Apr. 2016, www.uproxx.com/music/ramones-debut-album-punk-rock/. Accessed on 29 October 2018.
Sisario, Ben. “'Ramones': The Story Behind a Debut Album From Punk Pioneers.” The New York Times, 18 Mar. 2016, www.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/arts/music/ramones-the-story-behind-a-debut-album-from-punk-pioneers.html. Accessed on 20 October 2018.
“The Ramones – Biography.” Muzikum.eu, 22 May 2006, www.muzikum.eu/en/120-6693/the-ramones/biography.html. Accessed on 29 October 2018.