In observance of the Ramones’ CBGB debut 50 years ago today, a re-stacked appreciation of the man who changed the universe with two infinitely transposed barre chords.
Road To Ruin was the first Ramones album I bought (after I saw Rock 'n' Roll High School at the Dobie), and damned if it didn't change my life. For a couple of years there seems like bands were changing my life but this was a big one.
One of the greatest days of my life was the day I got Rocket to Russia, and brought it to my friends house, and put it on, and the needle came down and there was a little snap, crackle pop, and then the first song started, and The Ramones have been part of me ever since.
So glad you posted this today, I did not know about this anniversary. One of the great milestones in rock ‘n’ roll.
Thanks, Joe! I will never forget our discussion of Johnny's autobiography, in which you and I decided Johnny's conservatism actually helped shape his guitar playing. I posed the question, and that keen, analytical mind of yours' took off! You decided, and I agreed, that his politics made him figure out exactly what he wanted his guitar playing to be, and he stuck to those basics forevermore. A good friend can always help the other think about things in an expansive way. Hope you're alright, Joe. :-)
Sweet! I'm seeing Ramones t-shirts everywhere in Spain these days. Iconic.
That's fantastic! Any good, well-curated wardrobe could do worse than have a Ramones tee. :-)
Road To Ruin was the first Ramones album I bought (after I saw Rock 'n' Roll High School at the Dobie), and damned if it didn't change my life. For a couple of years there seems like bands were changing my life but this was a big one.
"For a couple of years there seems like bands were changing my life but this was a big one."
That's a beautiful way of summing up the times, my friend. Thank you. 🙂
The expression “life-changing” is over-used. But Rocket to Russia really was for me.
One of the greatest days of my life was the day I got Rocket to Russia, and brought it to my friends house, and put it on, and the needle came down and there was a little snap, crackle pop, and then the first song started, and The Ramones have been part of me ever since.
So glad you posted this today, I did not know about this anniversary. One of the great milestones in rock ‘n’ roll.
Rocket To Russia is my favorite, too. Also, it was Johnny Ramone's favorite Ramones album. That seals it , for me. :-)
Great piece, Tim!
Thanks, Joe! I will never forget our discussion of Johnny's autobiography, in which you and I decided Johnny's conservatism actually helped shape his guitar playing. I posed the question, and that keen, analytical mind of yours' took off! You decided, and I agreed, that his politics made him figure out exactly what he wanted his guitar playing to be, and he stuck to those basics forevermore. A good friend can always help the other think about things in an expansive way. Hope you're alright, Joe. :-)
Cheers, Tim. Great minds.... ;-) Doing well. Hope you are too!