We have a thing for the early days of The Ramones.
Exhibit A: We’ve featured footage of one of their earliest live shows performed at CBGB in 1974. And then comes another from 1977.
Exhibit B: We’ve also dug up raw demo recordings from their debut album (1975).
Now Exhibit C: It’s a no-bs press release that announced the arrival of the band, and what it’s all about. Written by Tommy Ramone (the drummer who died last summer, but only after outliving all of the other original band members), the one-pager describes The Ramones succinctly: “The Ramones are an original Rock and Roll group of 1975, and their songs are brief, to the point and every one a potential hit single.” And with a little bit of humor. “The Ramones all originate from Forest Hills and kids who grew up there either became musicians, degenerates or dentists. The Ramones are a little of each. Their sound is not unlike a fast drill on a rear molar.”
You can click the press release above to read it in a larger format. Or read the transcript below.
The Ramones are not an oldies group, they are not a glitter group, they don’t play boogie music and they don’t play the blues. The Ramones are an original Rock and Roll group of 1975, and their songs are brief, to the point and every one a potential hit single.
The quartette consists of Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee, and Tommy Ramone, Johnny, the guitarist, plays with such force that his sound has been compared to a hundred howitzers going off. Joey, the lead singer, is an arch villain whose lanky frame stands threatening center stage. Dee Dee is Bass guitar and the acknowledged handsome one of the group, and Tommy is the drummer whose pulsating playing launches the throbbing sound of the band.
The Ramones all originate from Forest Hills and kids who grew up there either became musicians, degenerates or dentists. The Ramones are a little of each. Their sound is not unlike a fast drill on a rear molar.
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This is one of my favorite songs.
The Ramones live at The Rainbow 1977 is one of the greatest live Rock and Roll Punk shows.
If you’re ever feeling down Turn this show ON.
You won’t be for long.