Ramones
New York's CBGBs is a unique Rock venue. Just off Houston St. in the Bowery on the Lower East Side, the club is easy to spot. On humid summer nights people are standing outside sipping beer from cans sunk in wet brown paper bags. CBGBs is long and narrow. On your right is a bar that nearly runs the length of the place. On your left is seating, booths and tables, where early adapters are positioned. As you move toward the elevated stage, you find a space along the bar and order a Rolling Rock. The place is dark and dank. Perfect for Rock. By comparison, the Hard Rock Cafes of the world look like churches. It was in this environment the Ramones made a name for themselves back in '74.
Paul McCartney often used the name "Ramone" when he wanted to move about without the Beatle baggage. Nice piece of Beatle trivia. So Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee and Tommy, with no family connection, adopted the Ramone surname.
As Rock was taking itself too seriously (happens every now and then and should be avoided at all costs), the Ramones came along with two minute high-energy blasts. "Teenage Lobotomy," "Rockaway Beach" and probably their best known song "I Want To Be Sedated" brought some needed moshing fun. "Bonzo Goes To Bitburg" was their read on then President Reagan's Germany trip that included a tribute to war dead at a cemetery that also contained graves of Nazi S.S. officers. The Bonzo reference came from a Reagan film about a chimp going to college. Yeah, that's right. And you thought the plots to Elvis movies were bad.
The Ramones were never commercial successes although they did contribute the title track to Stephen King's "Pet Semetary" film. King was a long time fan.
Personnel changes hit the band when drummer Tommy left. He was replaced by Marky who in turn was replaced in '84 by Richie. When Dee Dee left in '92, fan CJ entered the picture.
Leader Joey passed away in '01 and was followed by Johnny who died of cancer in '04.
"All The Stuff (And More) Vol. One" is a stunning tribute to the Ramones overdrive attack. The Ramones cut a powerful Punk swath in the mid 70s. The thing didn't run out of gas until the early 80s. A phenomenal run considering what they were doing. Not brilliant songwriters or exceptional musicians, the Ramones' genius rose from their brutal disregard of convention, especially musical ones. Sloppy and amateur sounding, the Ramones drove their best work with an undeniable passion.
Eventually, the Ramones burn out, sucker the audience into multiple farewell tours and toss out second rate efforts. Whadda expect? You can't stay young and rebellious forever. But if tempted to try, get "The Ramones," "Leave Home," "Rocket To Russia" and the aptly titled "Road To Ruin." These CDs will surely stave off complacency. After "Pleasant Dreams," recorded in '81, the prolific Ramones stall, nearly permanently. Less driven and less interesting, it got no better in the '90s.
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