JOHNNY RAMONE - Last Interview

Taped in March 2003, this may be the last major interview given by Johnny Ramone. Produced by Carlo Generelli. Videography by Bill Day. Audio by Terry Schwartz. In this clip, Johnny discusses the formation of the Ramones and their rocky road to success. WATCH PART 2 AT • JOHNNY RAMONE - Last I...

[@mittageisen211]

I like how Johnny was rocking the same haircut he had since 1974.

[@alexblock3091]

Like your profile picture.

[@andyisdead]

since the middle ages, I think

[@fenderstratguy]

tracey williams Like the guitarist for Slade .... Dave Hill

[@buddyholly3527]

He was as true as they came

[@brottarnacke]

@@fenderstratguy I looked up Dave Hill. That haircut should be illegal.

[@theedrstrangelove]

He was probably very ill at this time. Prostate cancer is very slow and he was diagnosed very late and went though treatment for over five years. No matter what anyone thinks of him, he was a trooper to do this interview.

[@DaveFury]

theedrstrangelove What I have the hardest time with as far as Johnny’s cancer goes is just how treatable prostate cancer is. Recovery from it is generally high. It had to have been found long after it set in.

[@JohnnyangelNIU]

@@DaveFury My guess is that it slowly got into the bones, and/or spread elsewhere and that's what took Johnny. Rarely does a guy die "from" Prostate cancer, they usually die "with it" (from something completely diff, or, because it spread).

[@TT-hl5ql]

He was a trooper, period to hold that band together as long as he did. What a profound loss losing all of them.

[@animaljustice7774]

@@TT-hl5ql yes

[@bklyntonw3187]

@@DaveFury I heard an interview with Monte Melnick on WFMU a while back and when the subject of Johnny came up, I recall him saying that he didn't go to the doctor, probably implying that if he did, he might have caught it early. Mixed feelings about Johnny: Great guitarist, but supposedly, according to Marky Ramones book, made racist statements--used the N word and called Joey "the Heeb".

[@tombell6066]

What a brilliant and honest interview. They knew what they needed to do and did it. God bless the Ramones and their music.

[@jduff59]

By the time the Ramones came out, you almost needed a PHD in Music to play in a rock band (Kansas, Genesis, Yes, bla bla blah..) then came The Ramones and thousands of kids picked up guitars and started playing. They single-handedly saved rock music, really.

[@jduff59]

I have to admit I was into prog rock until I heard The Ramones. The hair got chopped and I joined a band. I think many thousands of kids did the exact same thing as I did. Changed my whole life, and I stopped smoking that stupid weed, but decided NOT to sniff glue!

[@jjo4145]

Relax. Don’t take things too literally. He's just using exaggerated language.

[@buddyholly3527]

I agree one hundred percent

[@buddyholly3527]

Gilles van Zeebroeck You obviously don’t know when someone is being sarcastic and just making a point do you.

[@kevinsbott]

Gringo Your comments really resonate with me!

[@MetalMayhem1978]

Absolutely love Johnnys attitude. His honesty, his drive. His professionalism. His love for his own band. Legend. RIP Johnny

[@RandyRhoadsFL]

Agreed, you can see why he could be seen as mean or a douche but there's something to admire about how focused and driven he was to succeed.

[@MrGuitartramp]

I love the fact that i went to 12 ramones show through the 1980's.they were the best live band.hearing dee dee scream 1,2,3,4... still rings in my ears today.may the ones who past rest in peace.

[@daverichards9141]

You lucky bastard!

[@dr.daniel8816]

lightweight, ive seen over 70 times.. they were around for 40 yrs

[@jamesheath7601]

So lucky I would’ve loved to seen them

[@Janfey]

I love the fact that i didn't

[@Janfey]

@@dr.daniel8816 23 years*

[@pacochuquiure7807]

It is true what Johnny says here. The mid-eighties, early nineties bands were heavily influenced by the Ramones.

[@Drjackdempsey9644]

Yes absolutely

[@elang7961]

Metallica, Nirvana, Megadeth, joan jett and the black hearts and etc, was inspired by the ramones

[@Ghoulische]

@@elang7961Yea you probably wouldn’t expect Ramones to influence Metallica, but they really did. James sites Ramones as an influence all the time especially Johnny.

[@buddyholly3527]

Even Sid Vicious said the Ramones were his favorite band

[@elvisleeboy]

And they don't come much wiser than him...

[@brendacapaldi4427]

@@elvisleeboy That's Funny. Yep,the Beacon.

[@65pricey]

Only cause DeeDer could score good Chinese Rock.

[@hdrjunkie]

@Yes No yet Johnny Rotten couldn’t stand them lol somewhere on KZbin is a good clip of Johnny Rotten arguing with Marky Ramone when ends up telling Rotten “we were punk while you were still having tea and crumpets!” Lol

[@ExcitedAnacondaSnake-hg8ec]

@@hdrjunkierotten is an ignorant bloated drunk . Can’t stand him.

[@Crazyfeline]

I went from liking Johnny, to hating him back to liking him. After reading all the books, including all the memoirs and Montes book, you have to conclude that Johnny was responsible for keeping the band together so long. Yes, he was mean to Joey and practically everybody and yes Linda left Joey for Johnny, but, Joey and Dee Dee were basically incapable of anything but basic life functions. And Monte Melnick was the fifth Ramone and if it wasn’t for him, the band would’ve imploded after three years.

[@honey_bee65]

Arturo Vega was the "5th Ramone"

[@Otech3stvo]

@Anderson Cooper It's 'have', not 'of'.

[@ferox965]

@Anderson Cooper That was one of the stupidest things I've ever read.

[@ferox965]

@Anderson Cooper No. It simply sounds stupid. A lucid person understands that what you tried to write was the written version of an oral bowel movement. You are in the full effects of a cranial enema.

[@hvafaenskaljeghete1800]

@Anderson Cooper too tough to die (1984) hailed as their comeback album since road to ruin (1978)

[@DaveTheUseless]

I always thought it was pretty rad that the Ramones recorded kickass music together even with two of its main dudes passionately being on opposite ends of the political spectrum.

[@gasfr]

Exactly! its three chords a guitar and tge truth. it was not a bunch of leftists circle jerking each other.

[@LakinDenae19]

Imagine how awkward it must had been releasing Bonzo Goes to Bitburg. Jesus, I bet that was tense.

[@gasfr]

I'm hardly a leftist and I think it was a huge mistake for Reagan to go to Bitburg. stupid is stupid, ideology aside.

[@LakinDenae19]

Whit I heard it was controversial, particularly with Johnny. That's why it was titled "My Brain is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes to Bitburg"). Many people view Reagan as a God and will justify anything he has done. I totally agree that it was obviously a bad decision.

[@gasfr]

And say that as somebody who respects Reagan as a president. I GET why he thinks it was a good move... but imo it wasn't.

[@MrMoon-cg2yy]

Rest in Peace John William Cummings. Thank for the Band Johnny...without your will power it wouldn't have happened.

[@DrJ-hx7wv]

True statement.

[@BigSwifty500]

The first 30 seconds says it all....The New York Dolls and SLADE.

[@katherinemonroe3551]

You know it!!!!

[@Enevan1968]

He looked a bit like Dave Hill...

[@richiecheval9528]

Dave Hill looked like the Leeds Utd goalkeeper Dave Harvey.

[@Enevan1968]

Looked it up and by Jove, you're right!

[@richiecheval9528]

Thank you for looking it up.

[@Powers3848]

Hugo Boss also owns these guys that sponsor image look of their leather jackets that is now more than iconic for almost 50 years.

[@stevedoingstuff3960]

Damn, this guy was really cool. Cancer is terrifying

[@DrJ-hx7wv]

I agree. The treatment is as terrifying as cancer itself.

[@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward]

Was he diagnosed at this point??

[@LarsRyeJeppesen]

@@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward Yes

[@wildchild01ok]

@@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward Around 1997 he was diagnosed.

[@oybeutu]

Johnny Ramone sounded like an aggressive business man

Well..............that's because he was.

[@j_freed]

It's a great way to make a small fortune if you have a large fortune.

[@aggressive4657]

In this interview he even looked like business man XD

[@jonnydeuteronomy9684]

He was an aggressive businessman. It's all in Marky's book.

[@sarameiragootblatt1819]

Whazza probably a trump supporter if alive.

[@lordburlap4514]

Tough...no bullshit...rest easy.

[@peterramone4615]

Johnny Ramone, what a legend

[@RNRHorrorHunter]

I loved Johnny, my favorite band member. Yes, I am a conservative but I also love Joey. Johnny was just so intelligent and hardworking; he was also one of the most influential guitarists in rock music--even Metallica and Megadeth imitated him! A good man, RIP. oh yeah, and Kill A Commie For Mommy! Another reason Johnny was cool--so outrageous!!!

[@animaljustice7774]

Every band has a leader and it sounds like Johnny was the leader of the Ramones, the one person who kept the band going

[@FriedPi-mc5yt]

@@animaljustice7774 Yup. Johnny was the adult in the room when it came to the Ramones. Joey had OCD and it only got worse with time. Dee Dee was a habitual drug user and an emotional wreck. Tommy was always looking for an exit door. He had said in an interview that he was never an enthusiastic band member and was more interested in managing the band or producing.

[@animaljustice7774]

@@FriedPi-mc5yt wow. That’s great insight. Thanks for explaining

[@septimiusseverus343]

@@animaljustice7774 Definitely. Especially after Tommy quit due to the stress of touring, Johnny had to pull double duty to keep the train coming on time.

[@KillJesus]

Imagine living near CBGB's back then with The Ramones, Television, Talking Heads, etc.

[@matthatter2849]

Yeah, I'd rather NOT imagine living in the Bowery back then! Ha ha. Perfect place if you're into getting robbed or stabbed though.

[@tokofuwakasglasses1254]

When I went to NC, my hotel was very close to were CBGB‘s was.

[@JimiLoko0822]

I was there...

[@spacesinger7002]

You're only saying that because they all got famous. You probably live in a place where there were plenty of local bands that you didn't care about.. lol.

[@lucilovecraft1621]

Wayne county DJing What an awesome time for music 🤘🏻

[@slobomotion]

Quite by happy accident I had a date with Joey Ramone, who was very nice. This was such a wonderful group, as you all know. Seeing them live at Toad's Place in New Haven, CT in very early '78 was just wonderful. Just a bar -- my date got us standing room on the back wall as the band was so loud, you had to be as far away as possible to hear anything at all! xo from France now

[@Hothero1980]

This is the first interview I have ever seen with Johnny where he actually looked like he enjoyed talking. He was one of kind. The greatest downstroke rhythm guitarist of all time. No one on earth could play as fast as Johnny.

[@grahamchristie7489]

Yeah?... James Hetfield??

[@grahamchristie7489]

He plays in this proper underground band, you probably wouldn’t have heard of them.

[@eugeneeasthon5906]

@@grahamchristie7489 Johnny is James Hetfield's biggest inspiration for his technique. Also, James couldn't do it as fast and as long as Johnny could.

[@captainkrunchthewall]

@@eugeneeasthon5906 uhm i beg to differ. i think metallica stinks but theres no denying james hetfields downstroke is faster than johnny ramones. if you watch rames concerts propperly you actually see that johnny cheats a bit by keeping it to 3 strokes per bar(den, den-den) instead of a propper james hetfield style 6 strokes per bar (de-de-de-de-de-de)

[@eugeneeasthon5906]

@@captainkrunchthewall James alternates patterns as well. While Johnny did use the 1,123 strum in a lot of songs, he was a monster. Search "johnny ramone surfin Bird" to see how insane his downstroke actually was.

[@johnman3272]

Few musicians can say they influenced rock ‘n roll like Johnny did. His buzz saw guitar sound is still being heard today produced by countless bands. I remember hearing it for the first time in 1977. It was revolutionary.

[@danielbrown3461]

Link Ray was as good as Johnny. Influenced many.

[@silversnail1413]

We'll never see a punk rocker like him again. Back in the 70's it was all about musical anarchy and unique personalities coming together to make incredible music but once the 80's hardcore scene came around and preachy pricks like Ian Mackaye took over it just became a political pissing contest. Instead of rebelling against the establishment they created their own establishment with just as many rules and conventions. What a shame.

[@rodneylee4026]

"Hey, let's start a band." Do you play anything? "No." Well that doesn't matter, lets do it. "Ok."

[@georgiatechur]

My husband's cousin was starting out in NYC as a rock photographer around the time the Ramones were starting out. Later, when they started making a name for themselves, she was hired to photograph them and she turned out some some pretty well known photos of the Ramones, She is still working in NYC. Two years ago I asking her about them and she told me that Joey was the sweetest, kindest person, but her opinion of Johnny wasn't very complimentary. I am a huge Ramones fans btw, and even learned to play bass by listening to the Ramones.

[@sarameiragootblatt1819]

Teri Coley Adams how can we see your friend’s work? I’m in nyc

[@glengamble526]

Teri Coley Adams Was it Roberta?

[@BearistaBear]

They wrote simple songs they could play since they didn't have the skills to play other bands' songs...but these days no one has the skills to play their songs.

[@anarchynz]

+Bearista Bear his style speaks to me more than any other guitarists

[@katherinemonroe3551]

+Bearista Bear That's perfectly said. I'd love to see other bands try to play just 1 of their songs..they would never be able to do it, no way in hell.

[@larry105larry]

you mean like kattie perry ?

[@MrMoon-cg2yy]

Xavier Roberts It's all in the wrist...a lot of guitar players don't use the right playing method they try moving their whole arm up and down fast instead of just moving/flicking the wrist back and forth sideways sort of like shaking a can of Soda pop.

[@santtusan6387]

Simple yes, but with some of the best hooks in RnR history. Ah the brilliance of Carbona not Glue etc

[@willschaumann3814]

His hair never changed did it

[@ronaldjames6067]

Fantastic document, Bill ! So much history ! Thanks a lot for this !

[@kyleabent]

Just got done reading Commando by Johnny Ramone. His autobiography. Everything he mentions here is in the book.

[@Medicalstench]

RIP Johnny Joey dee dee tommy the ramones

[@ianwheeler918]

666shit6666chump don't forget marky

[@TheDukeOfPannekoeken]

Ian Wheeler Marky is still around

[@skadrumsandwich7415]

nice avatar. i have a tattoo of it. :D

[@elsnarj9827]

Tommy theCat66 you have to be kidding.

[@TheDukeOfPannekoeken]

@Seb Web10 tnx for the reminder 4 years later, rofl

[@believeyoume-nj2mt]

Always caught their yearly summer show at the Club Casino in Hampton New Hampshire, which was "general seating" at the time....me and three of my friends would arrive 4 hours early and get front row right in front of Dee Dee and yell "Jump Dee Dee Jump!" .... he'd interact with us through the whole show, Joey too. Good times

[@robizarro888]

So what if he was an asshole,he had to be.Dee Dee ,though a writing genius,had his drug problems,Tommy had other interests besides the Ramones,and Joey was a dreamer with his head in the clouds.Johnny ran the Ramones like a drill sargent because the rest of the band was so undisciplined.So before you hate on him because of his political views put your childish ideology aside and realize that if wasn't for Johnny we wouldn't even be talking about the Ramones right now.

[@hyzercreek]

Liberals are the losers, conservatives are right

[@decimated550]

have you read Commando his autobio? fuken awesome read, he's a real organized guy, he knew it was a band but a job also. it had to be run with discipline and planning

[@evanwolf6618]

Good observation.

[@rockedthecrapout]

You tell 'em Robi' you tell 'em.

[@TruthSurge]

I love this guy's candor and honesty. I don't care who you are, if you talk with honesty like that, you get pts from me. Of course, it's easier after you've "made it" but still, I like people who don't try to be so PC cuz they think it might offend or even hurt their own career.

[@robertpeabody5666]

Zźac

[@grantsage1761]

I know Im randomly asking but does anybody know of a tool to log back into an instagram account?? I was stupid forgot the account password. I love any help you can offer me

[@tonyfox1316]

@Grant Sage instablaster ;)

[@ralphsrec]

I booked them, met them and loved them. They played great rock n' roll music. Everybody loved the show. I sell their records and CDs every day at my record store. Enough said.

[@billschannel]

@DrumGuitarDude ou're welcome more fucking times! There is more to this interview.... If people want to see it, I will work on getting it posted. So let me know peeps!

[@pgo301]

Pretty much a damn down to earth man he was. Everyone could enjoy spending time with Johnny.

[@rickmerchant1835]

It's strange that Johnny Joey and tommy alll died of cancer! And all died young! But there all up in heaven now together RIP legends.

[@tokofuwakasglasses1254]

Are you sure? I think Joey and Johnny are still fighting.

[@kindkidbk]

@@tokofuwakasglasses1254 ????

[@gregorytimmons4777]

I don't really see it as so strange. NYC is a cess pool. 60% of the empty lots probably had toxic waste dumped in them courtesy of the mob.

[@hvafaenskaljeghete1800]

Johnny smoked weed and drank alot of beer Joey did alcohol and cocaine for many years

[@cachiruleta]

The "Great" Johnny Ramone

[@angelocatapang6054]

as a rock n' roll,punk rock,hardcore punk and heavy metal dirty doofus as i am.johnny and his other ramones fellas gave me a reason to live.he's the chuck berry of all dominating punk rock guitarists will ever be.thanks a lot guys!.r.i.p. joey,dee dee and of course johnny!.they're one of a kind people.

[@ferox965]

The music will always matter more than the politics or religious lifestyle choices. Johnny and Joey being polar opposites brought people together in ways that politics and religious lifestyle choices never will be able to. Every country needs an anthem and God needs a choir. One of the greatest bands to ever exist.

[@UserO2134]

Great point. A bond like Joey and Johnny's would be very difficult today. Thank our corporate media overlords for the polarization. They want us divided and distracted.

[@danielbrown3461]

One of the greatest? No...Slade was better....so were the beastie boys. Rush was better....had a better Bass Player and drummer. Alex Liefson less talented then Johnny? I think not. Rush on a bad dad was equal to the Ramones. I'd rank the Ramones about 11th or 12.

[@SkinsConrad]

Johnny Ramone was possibly the most sane, sober, common sense, and well spoken man in rock history. He kept it simple, cut out all the fluff, and got right to the point. A conservative in the rock world. Brilliant!

[@Jinnsuful]

Pablo Conrad Are you kidding me? I respect his political beliefs even if I disagree to death with them, but he was a complete asshole in personal life. The crap he did to joey, he didn't even call joey when joey was on his death bed and had asked to see him. I can't see how much more of an asshole you could get. He was probably the biggest reason Tommy left, Johnny had physically been harassing him, so he largely because of that he left.

[@ninaj.7837]

Pablo Conrad Thank you, words so well spoken. I love the Ramones to this day.Sugoi!

[@dkshotwell]

Martin Marquez You talk like you were there. You weren't, your comment is therefor irrelevant.

[@Jinnsuful]

Right. With the amount of documentation done on this band. Sure, irrelevant..

[@dkshotwell]

Martin Marquez Yes, it is irrelevant. You can find documentation that will support the particular view of any member of this band, but you made a comment that you cannot possibly know as true unless you were intimate with the people involved, and you were not.

[@lisatiley033]

I saw Slade back around 1982. Best live band apart from Ramones .

[@AvvieLanche]

It was a cultured part of the image. DeeDee had a major resentment because Johnny wouldn't let him change his hairstyle in order to keep the look homogenous. This is why the argument about "being fake" is happening here: The Ramones were the grandfathers of the punk movement but Johnny- the band leader- was the exact polar opposite of punk. Listen to how he talks about competition and marketing; all of this is a calculated, processed and packaged entertainment "product" in his mind.

[@ernestomarconi623]

REST IN PEACE JOHNNY

[@jonstern7511]

From this I heard how much Johnny (and possibly the rest of the band too) were in charge of their destiny. How shrewd and intelligent they were in creating their career and success

[@gmbeepop7372]

Punk is an expression of being yourself in a wild and violent wah

[@billschannel]

If you did that I would give your name and address to the Joker.

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

Proof u can b a conservative & a punk rocker. R.I.P. Johnny, Joey, Tommy Dee Dee & there good friend Arturo Vega.

[@DrJ-hx7wv]

I agree. Toxic Guerrilla was fairly right wing too. DK had "Holiday in Cambodia." Sex Pistols had "Bodies." Non-conformity today is to be anti-PC.

[@hdrjunkie]

Lol what’s even more amazing is that he was a huge conservative AND a born and bread New Yorker!!! Lol

[@hdrjunkie]

I believe that Dee Dee was also a conservative... I thought I heard him mention it once in an interview that he and Johnny were conservatives and Joey and Marky were Dems.

[@myyootube2]

Beach Boys had just a couple good songs on an album? Ya lost me there... Early Beach Boys were a great American band with a foolproof formula. Like the Ramones! Cool interview though. Tales of the Pioneers

[@leokimvideo]

very interesting and good info about the early days nice to see a ton of watermarking..yet that won't stop others from stealing your content

[@glengamble526]

It’s not even ‘his’ content...

[@OnlyForAngels]

Johnny Ramone. The Greatest role model as far as I am concerned. Sure I like the wild life getting wasted lots of hot young asses fame fortune but to me, he's so real.

[@josephhopeless829]

Wow, Alan Vega was at the first Ramones show? Never knew that, that's awesome. Did Johnny ever release the video(s) he said he had of their first 5/10 shows? Love to see that if so.

[@baronepam]

Trying to remember the year the Ramones played Kansas City, maybe 1978? It was at One Block West, the original location that was literally one block west of State Line Road near KU Med Center. Some people danced, mostly came to see the band. Good show not many people there.

[@ellimick5958]

13:32. 100% truth. In fact, what made me admire this man is that instead of hanging out after a show he’s go back to his hotel and have milk and cookies (from Commando). The beauty of a legend is not knowing you’re one!

[@franfonse]

Feliz Cumpleaños al mas Grande, al que le dio un cambio, un giro a mi vida y me hizo empezar a escuchar la buena musica, Gracias Johnny ojala estuvieras con nosotros.

[@SaintCayetano]

I fucking love the Ramones but I hate hearing Johnny talk shit about other bands. All the contempt he shows for other bands could easily have been directed at the boys. "Nobody cares about Blondie?" Ask all their fans. And his take on the Talking Heads? When did he become the one to judge what Rock is? He was dead on about the NY Dolls though. I think he kept the band together in the mid-to-later years by being strict (Dee Dee was destined for implosion, it just happened later than sooner) but I have to wonder how much he cost the band in connections by avoiding schmoozing with more bands.

[@stephenwaddock4371]

That was Johnny...he was a no-shit, blunt type of person. I grew up with the Ramones music, went to see them every time they came to CT. I miss there energy and raw stage presence.

[@lockyp204]

I think he was right, and not disrespectful about the Talking heads. They were doing something completely different.

[@matthewlingard4741]

RIP Johnny, you were the greatest.

[@fredzetts95]

miss you Johnny

[@Morgan.iiiviix]

Why does Johnny and Marky sound the same talking. Like there's an accent and the mannerism and how they present themselves. It looked like they're brothers or something. Are they like American-Italian or something?

[@jeffroche8549]

Miss you Johnny.....RIP

[@leoalex2344]

Johnny is sticking to the Myth that he couldn't play. The truth is that he played in a band in high school.

[@iwx2672]

He couldn't even the small leads on the albums were recorded by someone else.

[@markjohnson1020]

One of the greatest rhythm guitar players ever. Wish we could've heard more about his guitar playing and gear that made him so iconic.

[@darwinxke2827]

He sucked at guitar. Just awful. Sid played better, was a better musician than him.

[@pistu72]

@@darwinxke2827 jajajaa syd did not even know how to play the bass

[@HankFinkle11]

@@darwinxke2827you can play Ramones songs correctly?

[@abbyhanna305]

He seems like a nice, down to earth guy. No bs. Honest and not delusional, actually humble.

[@HankFinkle11]

Abby Hanna I’ve read he was the most approachable of all of the Ramones.

[@paulashton6302]

@@HankFinkle11 He was the only guy that stopped for autographs when I saw em at THE LEEDS T&C(LEEDS UK)....still got the ramones fanzine booklet to this day....

[@tokofuwakasglasses1254]

Yes, but the crudest. And most aggressive

[@mackboy2040]

@@tokofuwakasglasses1254 the way punk is

[@hdrjunkie]

Yet, supposedly he had a really quick, hair trigger temper... like got really nasty in a second...lol

[@1957pinup]

Fuckin' Johnny. Telling like it is with no regrets. The most influential punk rocker in history.

[@sirgaryo]

😂🤣😂🤣😂 What a fuckin crock !!!!!! 🙈🙈🙈🙈🤢

[@danielbrown3461]

He did not catogorize his music as punk. The most influential? There were some ahead of him.

[@tonimoon6346]

What a humble guy...very cool

[@jc6594]

Today Commemorates Johnny Ramone's 70th Birthday

[@tokofuwakasglasses1254]

jc6594 how? Joey was the oldest ( May 19th, 1951) and I’m pretty sure that Joey ( if he was alive) would be 67.

[@LarsRyeJeppesen]

@@tokofuwakasglasses1254 Johnny is from 1946 I believe

[@petethebastard]

"let them be entertained for an hour, then go do something else..."

[@eivindgjengstjohansen9625]

Watching sci-fi and horror movies collecting movie posters and listening to reggea music apparently he had a large collection of posters and reggea lp's

[@TheGreatAlan75]

I love his attitude. Going home to watch movies is better

[@MikieH-hr3vi]

Genius is very simple. Structured thought...calm...awesome interview !!

[@smalltownnova]

R.I.P Johnny!Great interview and great musician.Such a loss!!

[@Friendsforgood270]

Smart Dude!!!

[@Itelkner]

If your were a part the 70's punk period in England, great. I hope you enjoyed it Aerosmith? Their best 70's stuff (Rocks, Toys) rocks with abandon perfectly along side the Stooges, Dolls, Pistols, MC5. All of it rocks . Fuck 'rules' for listening. Fuck 'allegiances' . Taste is totally personal and unique to you. Underneath all the talk, music isn't truly about categories. It's all there for your potential enjoyment. Who says you 'can' listen to this and 'can't' listen to that?

[@therealtitofeh]

I'm VERY left-leaning and disagree with JR's politics, but who gives a shit? They're legends, and there's nothing in this video that doesn't make him seem like a sensible, likeable guy who was most responsible (among the actual Ramones) for them surviving and thriving. If everyone stopped listening to bands b/c of politics, right-wingers would have to scrap 75% of their music collection. If they can leave politics aside and just enjoy good music, so can we.

[@muziktrkr]

There was no excuse to be of age to go to concerts and not have seen The Ramones from 1976-1996.

[@DrJ-hx7wv]

I agree. I saw them at The Ritz in 1988 in NYC. Got to meet Joey. Fuck cancer.

[@stevedetherage847]

Saw'm New Year's Eve 78-79. They opened for the Tubes San Jose. Last show they were an opening band. It was new. Wasn't expecting what I saw

[@caljam71]

I really liked Johnny. He was always a real dude. Never fell in love with himself or thought he was better than others.

[@caseyandrews1981]

I agree. I have lost respect for Johnny after seeing and reading so many interviews.... it is all about "the Ramones" to me

[@Skybluewarrior]

A true rocker!

[@vinyldiary6664]

For real

[@LetsGoMetsGo33]

so, the first songs were "i dont care" and "here today fone tomorrow", written by jowy on a 2 string accoustic, which he brought to rehearsals, according to multiple sources :)

[@MannyMarr]

Thank you johnny! I really look up to this man! this is the guy who made me pick up my first guitar!

[@WeGachaMetal]

Soooo great. Magic!

[@Guitarist._.2004]

We will all miss Johnny and all the ramones💙

[@bebebrez-kal9136]

RIP Johnny... 🇺🇸God Bless America🇺🇸

[@oxrjbizzle1984y]

i love how all the "open minded" liberals despise johnny just because he was a republican. why can't people have different opinions without attacking and belittling each other. there is more than one way to see the world believe it or not....i love johnny ramone, his guitar sound helped shape the sound of all sub-genres of rock music (not only punk rock) to come and will continue to for a long, long time!

[@oxrjbizzle1984y]

Mojo Maximus and im sure those things are true? lol, its sad how people talk shit about people they don't even know. thats a sign of very weak character, people that talk shit about everybody, america is full of these types of people unfortunately. ignorance is bliss i guess!

[@1thess523]

They can't, so much for "tolerance" and open-mindedness " and that's what they always preach, but they preach it for other people to follow not themselves.

[@oxrjbizzle1984y]

Mojo Maximus if marky said those things in his book about johnny then why does he always refer to johnny as a "nice guy". he says johnny was just an opinionated republican but that he was a nice guy who treated the fans really great.

[@douglasjcox]

oxrjbizzle1984y How do you see those things as inconsistent? Marky and Johnny were friends. Doesn't mean he agreed with everything Johnny said, including Johnny's frequent racist slurs or the way Johnny treated Joey over the years. Johnny wouldn't call Joey when he developed lymphoma and was dying, and Johnny didn't even bother to go to his funeral. The guy (albeit one of the driving forces of a band that I really love) was an a-hole. Don't believe me, read Marky's book. I don't have to think a person is a wonderful human being (and Johnny wasn't) to enjoy their music. But, you go on defending him, despite apparently lacking knowledge of much of Johnny's behavior, just because you agree with his political and racist opinions.

[@oxrjbizzle1984y]

Mojo Maximus your such a judgmental douche. you keep putting words in peoples mouths. good luck being angry at life all the time....

[@shirleylyn11]

All gone, now. My husband(then my boyfriend) turned me on to the Ramones, and I was lucky to see them about 10 times. God bless the Ramones.

[@manu_g1576]

El mejor de todos los tiempos!! el rey!! el lider de la banda y el que los mantuvo unidos los 22 años, dee dee y joey eran los letristas y sin ellos no habria canciones, pero sin johnny no habria banda, shows , ni nada, hubiesen durado lo mismo que sex pistols o nirvana. Mi idolo de toda la vida y el guitarrista mas influyente de la historia.

[@Rexerman89]

Very cool guy, never changed! RIP!!!

[@michaelbaker5547]

This is great!

[@hristodanchev610]

rest in peace.god blass you.

[@mikeyshmelby2291]

Johnny had the right attitude about it all.

[@punkRamones76]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHNYYY.! YOU ARE SIMPLY THE BEST.! ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS!

[@nazznomadbleedinout]

Nice to see Johnny actually smiling and happy.

[@LynnThomas-c5g]

I love Johnny Ramone forever❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@billschannel]

Who is Kirk Hammet?

[@frankyfurbo1]

Here's the 3rd show he's talking about. My guess is that Johnny told Joey to stop jumping around so much, because aside from that, I can't see what they "adjusted." ramones 3rd show at cbgb

[@frankyfurbo1]

Good research/knowledge! Thanks!

[@leedemarco3454]

No problem! I know too much about the Ramones lol

[@frankyfurbo1]

Just as an observation: I went back and looked at the video that I linked above and it looks to me that they actually are all wearing leather jackets and jeans (except Tommy doesn't have a jacket and Joey has black leather pants--which I've seen him wear a few times like on Regis and Kathy Lee!) Maybe it's not actually their 3rd show, but it certainly sounds like it (!) and as we both noted, Joey is definitely jumping around doing the "fag rock thing" which they wisely adjusted after. Just thought I'd mention it for a fellow '75 punk enthusiast. :)

[@leedemarco3454]

***** Good observations! They list the date of this show as Sept. 15, 1974. If that is in fact the actual date, then this wasn't their 3rd show at CBGBs. It's more like their 12th. (the Ramones would play CBGB several nights per week when they first started) You can find a list of all Ramones live shows on Wikipedia. And you're right, Joey and Dee Dee are wearing leather jackets here. Johnny is wearing a black satin shirt with leopard print trim, and black spandex pants. He stopped wearing his glitter clothing not long after this show I believe. They hadn't fully incorporated the Ramones uniform at this point, but they kept tweaking it because Tommy and Johnny felt they needed a unified look after watching many of their early live performances.

[@edfeltch]

I had a band in 1981-82 that a lot of bigger bands mention,Youth Korps from New London,Ct. Like Voltaire said about Americans,first they are shocked then they put you in a museum.

[@Turboy65]

In an interview in Guitar Player, he once said "I want the guitar to sound like energy coming out of the amp." I've always loved that and his straightforward approach.

[@leahflower9924]

He probably got that from Ron asheton the stooges played as powerful as possible and people thought they were crazy

[@billschannel]

@NickRedfern Thanks. Working on getting the rest up here. Will let you know.

[@SMMAB]

Saw them on their Adios Amigos tour in Baltimore. Joey said to the crowd "So, do you want to f@cking dance?". And then they covered "Do you wanna dance?" CLASSIC!

[@igzzz89]

Johnny was the boss, the commando. RIP Johnny ❤🙏

[@EPerfect97]

Johnny, I love you man. Even though I didn't start listening to you guys until I was like 13, you have already become my biggest inspiration, and the Ramones my favorite band. Happy Birthday, hope you're still rocking. -EP