The Ramones were a punk rock band formed in New York in March 1974 (see 1974 in music). They led the New York punk movement and are often credited with forming the musical foundation of punk. The original band members all adopted the surname Ramone (an alias sometime used by Paul McCartney to avoid attention when travelling), although they were not actually brothers. The Ramones pioneered a back-to-basics sound that altogether avoided psychedic music as well as the bloated bombastic guitar that 1970s rock music had sunk to at its worst, and heralded a raw, 1950s-early 1960s rock and roll retro sound played louder and faster. After playing gigs at the legendary CBGB club in the Manhattan Bowery district, they were signed by Sire Records in autumn 1975 (see 1975 in music) and recorded their debut album Ramones.

Their appearance at the Roundhouse in London, England, on July 4, 1976 galvanized the UK punk rock scene, directly inspiring future punk stars including members of The Clash and Siouxsie and the Banshees. (The Ramones were second billed to the Beatle-esque Flamin' Groovies.)

Tommy Ramone was later replaced on drums by Marc Bell (under the name Marky Ramone) so that Tommy could focus on being the group's manager. It was this lineup which played a central role in Roger Corman's Rock 'n' Roll High School, released in 1979.

Marky Ramone was eventually replaced by Richard Beau (under the name Richie Ramone) and then Clem Burke before rejoining the band in 1990. Due to ongoing personality clashes and frustration at not achieving success commensurate with their influence, they disbanded in 1996.

Joey Ramone died of cancer on April 15, 2001 in New York (See 2001 in music).

Dee Dee Ramone was found dead at his Hollywood home on June 5th 2002 following a suspected drug overdose (See 2002 in music).

Discography

  • The Ramones, 1976 debut album
    • "Blitzkrieg Bop", 1976 single
    • "53rd & 3rd", 1976 single
    • "Judy Is Punk", 1976 single
    • "Beat On The Brat", 1977 single
  • Leave Home, 1977 album
  • Rocket to Russia, 1977 album
    • "Sheena is a Punk Rocker", 1977 single
  • Road To Ruin, 1978 album
    • "I Wanna Be Sedated", 1978 single
    • "I'm Against It", 1978 single
    • "Don't Come Close", 1979 single
    • "Needles And Pins", 1979 single
  • End Of The Century, 1979 album
    • "Rock & Roll High School", 1979 single
    • "Baby, I Love You", 1980 single
    • "I'm Affected", 1980 single
    • "Danny Says", 1980
    • "Chinese Rock", 1980 single
  • Pleasent Dreams, 1981 album
    • "We Want The Airwaves", 1981 single
    • "The KKK Took My Baby Away", 1981 single
    • "She's A Sensation", 1981 single
    • "It's Not My Place (In The 9 To 5 World)", 1982 single
  • Subterranean Jungle, 1983 album
  • Too Tough To Die, 1984 album
  • Animal Boy, 1986 album
  • Halfway To Sanity, 1987 album
    • "Bop 'Til You Drop", 1987 single
    • "I Wanna Live", 1988 single
  • Ramones Mania (The Best Of 1975-1988), 1988 compilation
  • Brain Drain, 1989 album
    • "Pet Sematary", 1989 single
    • "I Believe In Miracles", 1989 single
    • "Can't Get You (Outta My Mind)", 1989 single
    • "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)", 1990 single
  • Loco Live, 1991 live album
  • Mondo Bizarro, 1992 album
  • Acid Eaters, 1993 album
  • Adios Amigos, 1995 album
  • Greatest Hits Live, 1996 live album
  • Hey Ho! Let's Go: The Anthology (The Best Of 1975-1996), 1999 compilation
  • Loud, Fast Ramones: Their Toughest Hits (The Best Of 1975-1996), 2002 compilation

External links