Good Bye Johhny
By Robert J. Ricci
I first saw the Ramones in 1979. Clad in worn MC jackets, beat-up tees and tattered jeans, they were truly a sight to behold and quite unlike the mainstream rockers that owned the day. A band of four unrelated "brothers," the Ramones rose from New York’s pre-punk scene in 1974. Notoriety soon followed as the Queens residents quickly found themselves favorites of Hilly Kristal (who booked them frequently at his club, the now legendary CBGB’s) and the anti-disco denizens of Max’s Kansas City.
From the onset, the quartet struggled with commercial success. The release of their eponymous debut in 1976 left an indelible imprint on their peers and the industry at large, reaching well across the pond where bands like the Sex Pistols, The Damned and The Clash began to take root. Despite their lack of critical acclaim or chart-topping hits, the Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Johnny and former bandmates Dee Dee and Marky were there to accept and enjoy the honor. Singer Joey, who succumbed to lymphatic cancer in 2001, was not.
"The Ramones never ever lost their image, their aura of being the ultimate underdog, the voice of the angry young man," claims longtime friend and creative collaborator, Arturo Vega. Remembering what it was like for me, a kid growing up in Queens, it’s difficult to disagree. The rapid-fire fury of their three-chord nuggets changed my musical world, and today, I find just a little bit of comfort in knowing that the work Johhny and his mates left behind will endure.
Rest in peace, Johnny – say hey to Joey and Dee for us.
Photo credits:
– band: Bob Gruen
– Johnny: originally appeared in The Washington Post (03/12/04)
