50 years of loud, fast, and unapologetic Rock ‘n’ Roll. On this day in 1974, the Ramones—Tommy, Joey, Dee Dee, and Johnny—made their debut at CBGB on the Bowery, New York City.
Happy 50th anniversary to the band that changed everything.
#Ramones50
46 years ago this week, Ramones released ‘Rocket to Russia,’ a pillar of punk rock and the final album recorded with the original four members of the band.
“‘I think that it was a Friday that we got the call that they wanted the Ramones to write “Pet Sematary.” I guess the film was already shot or something. That’s how we got the go-ahead to attempt it.’” - Daniel Rey
In honor of Friday the 13th, watch “Pet Sematary” on
@YouTube
Dare to look them in the eye.
The music video for Ramones’ cover of The Who’s “Substitute” from 1994’s ‘Acid Eaters’ featuring Pete Townsend on backup vocals.
50 YEARS OF RAMONES
1974-2024
In March 1974, Joey, Johnny and Dee Dee played the first show as Ramones, with Tommy joining them later that August for the first show as a four piece.
On picture disc tor the first time and limited to 5,000.
Ramones’ hit their first major festival stage in 1982 for US Fest organized by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and legendary Bay Area promoter Bill Graham.
Joey Ramone: May 19th, 1951–April 15th, 2001
“You could walk up to him in the street and he’d talk to you. Some stranger would come up and say ‘Hi,’ and he’d have an hour-long conversation if you didn’t pull him away. That’s the type of guy he was.” –Monte Melnick on Joey Ramone
Ramones have had a long history at The Roxy in Los Angeles. The band first played there on back to back nights in August 1976.
In 1978, they returned to film their iconic performance scene in ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll High School,’ as seen in this clip.
Ramones touched down in Italy for the first time in February 1980.
In September, the band would return for another round of shows, including this performance in Rome on 10/14/80.
During their first tv performance Ramones ripped through eight songs. See the setlist for the M.P.S.C. performance below.
Loudmouth
Beat On The Brat
Listen To My Heart
53rd & 3rd
Blitzkrieg Bop
Judy Is A Punk
California Sun
Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World
New York legends.
‘Spiderman’ written by J. Robert “Bob” Harris & Paul Francis Webster, covered by Ramones for ‘Saturday Morning: Cartoons' Greatest Hits’
Ramones went down under for an eight-day tour through Australia in 1980, making time to host the television program 'Countdown Revolution’ & rip through “Rock ‘N’ Roll High School”
Ramones hit The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to play “Censorshit,” from 1992’s ‘Mondo Bizarro.’
The song highlighted the controversy around the Parental Advisory labels that were added to albums with explicit content after 1985.
Johnny Ramone: October 8, 1948 – September 15, 2004
“Johnny was meant to be a musical warrior. Joey, Dee Dee, and I gravitated to him because he was so charismatic and interesting. He was the magnet that pulled us together.” - Tommy Ramone
To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of ROAD TO RUIN, Rhino will release a 3CD/1LP boxed set, ROAD TO RUIN: 40th ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION with two different mixes of the album, unissued rough mixes for every album track, & more! Go to to pre-order now!
“Gabba Gabba, we accept you, we accept you, one of us!”
The song “Pinhead” was inspired by the film ‘Freaks.’ The line from the film “Gabba Gabba Hey” would later become a calling card for all Ramones fans, all over.
Just one of 2,263 shows. When was the first time you saw the Ramones?
The Waldorf Nightclub. San Francisco, California, 1978
Photo by Richard McCaffrey
Influenced by surf rock, “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker,” was a reference to the ‘Sheena, Queen of the Jungle’ comic book. The band thought a girl raised in the jungles would like the punk rock sound once brought to civilization.
In August 1989, the first “Poison Heart” demo was recorded by Dee Dee Ramone and Joe Sztabnik. Though Dee Dee had retired from the band, he continued to contribute three songs for ‘Mondo Bizarro,’ including “Strength to Endure” and “Main Man.”