And so it was, forty years ago today, that The Ramones released their self-titled début. It only took them a week to lay down their relentless, high-speed, punky pop tunes that influenced generations of young musicians. Check out my favourite tunes from this album and consider for a minute what our modern music might sound like if we were never exposed to this ground-breaking band.
I seem to have a vague memory of seeing the band live at The Spectrum on the Danforth back in 1991. If anyone can remember the other bands on that bill then I can confirm it. I think hHead was there...
"Blitzkrieg Bop", perhaps the band's best known tune and the first single from this album
"Beat on the Brat"
"Judy is a Punk"
"I Wanna be your Boyfriend", the other single from this album, showing the band's kinder, gentler side
Pic from Stereogum.