How The Ramones Changed Music

Sources/further reading:
The Ramones’ Ramones (33 1/3) by Nicholas Rombes
Hey Ho Let’s Go: The Story of the Ramones by Everett True
End of the Century - The Story of the Ramones (DVD)

And this seems to be symbolic of the Ramones’ entire career. Today they are arguably more popular than they’ve ever been. It just took a little while for folks to catch on. They are also respected more today than they’ve ever been. They are #26 on Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Artists of all time list.

The music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine once wrote, “The band’s first four albums set the blueprint for punk, especially American punk and hardcore, for the next two decades.” Indeed, the Ramones today remain one of the most influential rock bands of all time. There have been dozens of tribute albums. Today, thousands of prominent musicians continue to cite the band as a huge influence on their own music. There’s even a popular children’s show called Yo Gabba Gabba! that pays respect to the band’s catchphrase, gabba gabba hey!

As it turns out, there’s a lot of us freaks out there. Gabba gabba hey indeed.

I recently visited the place of the Ramones first official gig, CBGB's, and Joey Ramone's old place. So what’s your favorite Ramones song or album? My favorite song is “I Don’t Wanna Walk Around with You” and my favorite album by them is Road to Ruin. And as always, I love to read suggestions from you for future bands I should cover for this series. Thanks for watching!

[mattbeatgoeson]

What's your favorite Ramones song? How about album?

[monty]

Fun fact: Paul Stanley of Kiss recalled seeing Joey Ramone at many Kiss shows circa 1973 and he stood out in Paul's memory because Joey literally stood taller than almost everyone else at their shows during the club days. Joey, btw, admitted that he liked much of Kiss' early music and black leather look.

[metalheadcinema]

I love The Ramones, one of my favorite Punk bands, their influence cannot be understated, and they were just great at writing catchy hooks. It's very sad that none of the original members are alive anymore, but their legacy is immortal

[donnazasgoat]

I'll never forget one of my roommates back in '79 busting in the door holding Rocket to Russia saying "This album will change your life!" Naturally all 3 of us became punks. I don't know about the other 2 but I'm still a punk at 63.

[soulbrother]

Ramones were the first case when I loved EVERY song the band has. They helped me through teenage years with their infectious, simplistic and dark humor-ish rock and roll. I dont even have to listen them anymore, I can replay their entire albums in head

[jabbermocky]

"Beat on the Brat" remains my favorite Ramones tune. Straight to the point, no frills.

[milanc]

My favourite band of all time! I have listened to their albums for years and I never get enough of them. I have a very special place for them in my heart. Very sad the original members are not here anymore and they really deserved a lot more recognition than they received.

[Nitro]

As a teenager in the 70’s hearing Blitzkrieg Bop changed my life. Opened up a whole new music world to me.

[allencruise]

One of my favorites. Heavy yet melodic. Love their 3-chord structure. My go-to playlist during long drives.

[slugcult]

"Gabba Gabba hey" was actually a play on lines from the movie "Freaks", about carnival freaks who get revenge on a strong man and his acrobat girlfriend who tried to swindle one of the freak show numbers out of his money. They chanted in the movie: "Gobble gobble one of us, one of us". And that influenced the Ramones chant as they were huge fans of the movie.

[ChefClary]

In the summer of 1978, a popular local band here in Springfield, MO, Fools Face, was opening for an unknown band called The Ramones. We went to a club that didn’t seat more than 50 and it was packed with 150 standing. They BLEW US AWAY. Became a punk rocker overnight.
It took two years for the NY scene to reach the Ozarks which is typical.

[johnskiecalisanga]

They're my favorite Punk band, they are the Grand fathers of Punk So sad no one is alive anymore but they're a legendary band Punk rock nation will be so proud of them.

[jamesconnolly]

My Birthday March My Bro. Became a Huge Ramones
Fan.And I became a huge fan thanks to him.

RAMONES RULE !!

[adda]

Great video, Nice that you mentioned the Ramones Museum in Berlin, my band the Speedways played their Birthday party in 2020 a week before the first lockdowns started happening, we did a cover of "Danny Says". They closed that Summer and will hopefully reopen soon, it was such a great place, Flo and the crew there are great.

couldn't possibly pick a favourite song, but my favourite album is "Leave Home" it's all killer, no filler.

[punkdadramonedrummer]

YOURE MR. I was scratching my head so hard wondering why this man's voice sounded so familiar😅 I been a ramones geek all my life and I watch these type of videos despite me knowing everything stone-cold. Very nice job, everything was spot on and articulate

[jimdellavecchia]

They were at their best during the live shows. No other band could match the power or intensity

[jefferypitts]

The Ramones inspired every garage band within a hundred miles, and every song they ever played, we and everyone else played, I understand why Johnny didn't like solos, when interviewed he said he doesn't practice in fact he didn't have a guitar in his house, never the less I still think they opened a new door in music and will be remembered as pioneers.

[Kylefassbinderful]

I imagine Johnny was just so burned out on the many solos other guitarists were doing. Doesn't help that a lot of solos are kinda boring. I love that he didn't go down that path. Not everyone is a Hendrix or Garcia.

[shruggzdastr-facedclown]

While the crossing paths with UK Punk pioneers the Sex Pistols and The Clash during one of their early trips to London was referenced in this career retrospective video, it is The Damned who were the first UK band identified as "Punk" to record and release an album. The Pistols' and Clash's first albums followed not long afterwards, though.

[Chazzs]

Such a great video! I love the Ramones, one of the best bands in history.