Ramones

This article is about the band. For their debut album, see Ramones (album). For other uses, see Ramones (disambiguation).

Ramones
Four men dressed in leather jackets and ripped jeans
Ramones in 1977
From left to right: Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, and Tommy Ramone
Background information
OriginForest Hills, Queens, New York, U.S.
Genres
DiscographyRamones discography
Years active1974 (1974)–1996 (1996)
Labels
Past members
Websiteramones.com

The Ramones[a] were an American punk rock band formed in the New York City neighborhood Forest Hills, Queens in 1974. Known for helping establish the punk movement in the United States and elsewhere, the Ramones are often cited as the first true punk rock band. Although they had never achieved significant commercial success, the band is seen today as highly influential in punk culture.

All members adopted pseudonyms ending with the surname Ramone, although none were biologically related: they were inspired by Paul McCartney, who would check into hotels under the alias Paul Ramon. The Ramones performed 2,263 concerts, touring virtually nonstop for 22 years,[1] and released fourteen studio albums. In 1996, after a tour as part of the Lollapalooza music festival, they played a farewell concert in Los Angeles and disbanded.[2]

By 2014, all four of the band's original members had died – lead singer Joey Ramone (1951–2001), bassist Dee Dee Ramone (1951–2002), guitarist Johnny Ramone (1948–2004) and drummer Tommy Ramone (1949–2014).[3][4][5][6] The Ramones had experienced a few lineup changes, with Joey and Johnny as the only constant members. Tommy left the band in 1978 to pursue a career in record production, and was replaced by Marky Ramone, who himself was replaced by Richie Ramone in 1983. Following Richie's departure in 1987, and a brief stint with Elvis Ramone, Marky rejoined the band and Dee Dee departed two years later. From 1989 to their breakup in 1996, the Ramones consisted of Joey, Johnny, Marky and bassist C. J. Ramone.

Recognition of the band's importance has built over the years.[7] The Ramones were ranked number 26 in Rolling Stone magazine's 2004 list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time"[8] and number 17 in VH1's 2012 television series 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.[9] In 2002, the Ramones were ranked the second-greatest band of all time by Spin, trailing only the Beatles.[10] On March 18, 2002, the original four members and Tommy's replacement on drums, Marky Ramone, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.[1][11] In 2011, the band was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.[12][13]


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  1. ^ a b "Ramones". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum. September 15, 2004. Archived from the original on July 10, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Schinder559 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference AP was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference nytimes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Sisario was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Tommy Ramone dies aged 62". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. July 12, 2014. Archived from the original on July 12, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  7. ^ Gilmore, Mikal (May 19, 2016). "The Curse of the Ramones". Rolling Stone.
  8. ^ "100 Greatest Artists". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  9. ^ "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock". VH1. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  10. ^ "50 Greatest Bands Of All Time". Spin. February 2002. Archived from the original on August 25, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  11. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (March 19, 2002). "Vedder Rambles, Green Day Scramble As Ramones Enter Hall". VH1. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  12. ^ Sterndan, Darryl (February 13, 2011). "Ramones Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Grammy". Toronto Sun. Archived from the original on February 15, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  13. ^ "Ramone Family Acceptance at Special Merit Awards Ceremony". The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on August 6, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2012.