LYCOS RETRIEVER 
The Ramones: Bands
built 649 days ago
In 1981 the Ramones released Pleasant Dreams, which continued the trend established by End of The Century of diluting the rawer punk sound showcased on the band's initial four albums. Instead, slick production was again featured, this time provided by Graham Gouldman of UK pop act 10 cc.[22] Johnny would contend in retrospect that this direction was a record company decision and represented a continued futile attempt to get airplay on American radio.[21][1] On August 1 of that year... while promoting the album, they did become the first band to be interviewed on the newly formed cable video station MTV, which temporarily provided a more receptive outlet for the band's music than FM. After the release of the 1983 Subterranean Jungle, Marky Ramone was fired from the band because of his alcoholism and was eventually replaced by Richard Reinhardt (under the name Richie Ramone).[23] The first album the Ramones recorded with Richie was Too Tough to Die in 1984, produced by former drummer Tommy Ramone. The album was largely considered a return to form after the non-flattering pop-production techniques characterizing the previous three full-length releases. Some rock critics contend that it represents their final high quality album.[24]
Source:
Though the band’s recorded legacy may not be the greatest after the 1980s rolled around, the Ramones’ catalogue is chock full of classic albums and songs that are still revered to this day. Countless bands have copied their recipe and reaped far bigger rewards (Green Day, for one). One wonders in this day and age of pop punk, emo punk, and all the other unoriginal derivatives if the Ramones would be a bigger success if they were still around. It seems like they were just starting to find a home in the early ‘90s before they decided to call it a day. Nevertheless, the band shall forever remain an important musical and cultural touchstone that will be looked upon as something truly special.
Source:
[T]hen there's a thousand references to the Ramones in any serious rock index. Because this band inspired almost all of the defining movements in rock's modern history. The Ramones sound can be heard clearly in US hardcore through the 80s and 90s while the band's 1-2-3-4 attack style has resurfaced in international garage rock revivalism. From a sideways glance the group looked criminally goofy, all spindly legged spider rockers. The genius of the four leather jacketed "brudders" from Queens lay ... in their very ability to subvert the prevailing Rocky-style all-American machismo with an irresistible cartoon geekishness. Add to that their whacked-out fusion of 60s girl group-style tunes with punk and you've got something of a goofy Alice Cooper tribute outfit.
Source:
On December 31, 1977, the Ramones recorded It's Alive, a live concert double album, at the Rainbow Theatre, London, which was released in April 1979. The title is a reference to the 1974 horror movie of the same name. Upon returning from England, they found themselves prophets without honor in their own country: their subsequent two albums, Leave Home and Rocket to Russia (both 1977), failed to become the hits the band desired. Both records were co-produced by Tony Bongiovi, the cousin of Jon Bon Jovi. Tommy, tired of touring, left the band at this time but continued to produce. He was replaced by Marc Bell, who became Marky Ramone.
Source:
The Ramones consistency and stubborn resistance to evolution actually ended up working against them in the long run. What was startlingly new and different in the 70's eventually caused them to be viewed as a conservative anachronism by the mid-90's as other bands developed and refined what they started. Upstarts who were in diapers or elementary school when this record was first released went on to eclipse their idols in record sales and popularity while using virtually the same sonic blueprint as the Ramones by the 1990's.(I'm talking about you,Green Day, Offspring, Rancid, etc.)
Source:
Rhino Home Video’s Ramones – It’s Alive 1974-1996 ... arrives like the answer to this devoted fan’s most feverish prayer. Accurately billed as “The Ultimate Double Live DVD,” it assembles a head-spinning volley of music sampled from over 30 different concerts, which collectively span the band’s entire 22-year career. It’s both educational and astonishing to watch all four hours of it in sequence, beginning with Disc 1’s crude but priceless black-and-white videotape document of the group stumbling awkwardly through several songs at CBGB in September 1974, when they’d been together for less than year. Afterwards, fast forward to 1977 and see how quickly they evolved into a musical force of volcanic power and military precision.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Bands