The Ramones

The Ramones.  That name in synonymous with the genre of Punk Rock, and the influence that they have given to the music world is unsurpassed through their sound, lyrics, stage presence and characters.  Four young men from NYC, started a revolution that has transformed music from the earliest moments of their creation.

Joey, Dee Dee, Johnny, and Tommy were part of a revolution that still rages today regardless of the current Pop "artists" and their self-indulgent crap.  While this new Pop agenda lingers in the ears of the typical youth, bands like the Ramones will continue to fuel the fires of those that don't want to settle for miserable music.  The genre of Punk Rock owes much of its success to a band of four young men that were gifted in the most simple and totally important way, they stayed true to who and what they were.

It's quite hard to not listen to a Ramones song and at some time realize that one is tapping their foot, or humming the along with the music, or smiling, they are that good.  The Ramones made music that anyone would enjoy, they had to merely open their ears and their minds and then just enjoy the noise.

For the success that the Ramones had befall themselves, the band was marred by several setbacks, and tragedies.  The heroin abuse by Dee Dee (Douglas Colvin), the rift between Joey (Jeffry Hyman) and Johnny (John Cummings), and the deaths of three of the original members of the band have added chapter upon chapter to the story of The Ramones.  Is it possible that had these chapters not been written that they wouldn't have been as successful or as important?  No, not a chance.  The success of the band was based on how they connected with their fans, the same ones that bought records, went to shows and went to see "Rock 'n' Roll High School".

The Ramones helped shape music, it influenced countless acts, they grew and thrived in the "underground", and they entertained the very people they wanted to, their fans.

Today only one of the original four are alive, sadly Joey, Dee Dee and Johnny have passed from the mortal world but their music lives on.  The testament to their popularity are the bands that are still being influenced as well as the young fans that are just starting to learn the importance of this band.  The Ramones are an iconic, they are the face of a generation and they remain the most important influence in music today.

In Memorium

Joey Ramone (Jeffry Ross Hyman; May 19, 1951 – April 15, 2001)
Dee Dee Ramone (Douglas Glenn Colvin; Sept. 18, 1951 – June 5, 2002)
Johnny Ramone (John William Cummings; Oct. 8, 1948 – Sept. 15, 2004)