#47 The Ramones

The Ramones are considered the first punk band. They formed in 1974 and decided that each of them would perform under the pseudonym, “Ramone.” Their sound was stripped down, fast, and quirky. The Ramones could perform 17 songs in a half an hour. They sang about lobotomies, psycho therapy, glue sniffing, and so on. The Ramones were a throwback to the 50s as well as the early Who. In the late 70s, they turned to a popier sound and stayed together until the mid-90s. Their final performance was during the 1996 Lollapalooza tour. Bands inspired by the Ramones include: The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Black Flag, Social Distortion, Pearl Jam, Metallica, Motorhead, and Green Day.

Rock n Roll Moment: Phil Spector fired a gun at the band. They framed the bullet hole in the wall.

Essential Ramones:

The Ramones (1976)
Leave Home (1977)
Rocket to Russia (1977)

Ramones Top 10:

Blitzkrieg Bop
I Wanna Be Sedated
Teenage Lobotomy
The KKK Took My Baby Away
Rock n Roll High School
I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend
Psycho Therapy
Do You Remember Rock n Roll Radio?
Sheena is a Punk Rocker
Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue