#438 The Ramones at CBGB: Revolution on the Bowery

Aug 2, 2024

Guest

Johnny Ramone

Join legendary punk rock icons Joey, Johnny, Tommy, and Dee Dee Ramone as they dive into the vibrant genesis of The Ramones at CBGB, the birthplace of punk. They reminisce about their groundbreaking performances that forever altered NYC's music scene. Discover how they fused glam rock influences and their nostalgic love for The Beatles into their raw sound. The discussion explores the electric atmosphere of 1970s NYC, their creative process, and the lasting impact of their music on future generations, making it a heartfelt tribute to punk's revolutionary spirit.

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INSIGHT

CBGB Became A Creative Incubator

CBGB's official name promised country, bluegrass and blues but became famous for its "other music" that uplifted downtown scenes.
The club's low overhead and Hilly Kristal's willingness to try unknown acts created a crucial incubator for punk and new wave.

ANECDOTE

Ramones' Origins In Forest Hills Basement

The Ramones formed from Forest Hills friends who adopted the unified 'Ramone' surname and tightened roles quickly.
They developed their raw sound rehearsing in Joey's mom's basement art gallery surrounded by paints.

INSIGHT

Venue Collapse Reshaped The Scene

The collapse of Mercer Arts Center displaced glam bands and pushed artists toward CBGB, reshaping downtown performance geography.
That physical shift helped seed Television, Patti Smith and the larger Bowery scene.

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One-two-three-four! The Ramones, a four-man rock band from Forest Hills, Queens, played the Bowery music club CBGB for the very first time on August 16, 1974.

Not only would Joey, Johnny, Tommy and Dee Dee reinvigorate downtown New York nightlife here -- creating a unique and energetic form of punk -- but they would join with a small group of musicians at CBGB to revolutionize American music in the 1970s.

In this episode we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Ramones' first performances in downtown Manhattan. But this also a tribute to New York rock music of the 1970s and to the most famous rock-music club in America.

CBGB & OMFUG officially stands for "Country, Bluegrass, Blues and Other Music For Uplifting Gormandizers," and Hilly Kristal's legendary hole-in-the-wall music venue on the Bowery would be best defined by that "other music" -- namely punk, new wave and later hardcore.

Over the course of 70 performances, the Ramones would perfect their sound and appearance on the ragged little stage here at CBGB, building upon musical influences like the local glam rock scene (The New York Dolls, Jayne County) and their own nostalgic callbacks to the Beatles.

The mid-1970s CBGBs scene would produce other artists who would go on to mainstream, international fame -- Patti Smith, Television, the Talking Heads and Blondie. Not only would these artists become associated with the Bowery, but most of them would live on the surrounding streets.

On this special episode, Greg is joined by an incredible roster of guests including Ramones record producer and engineer Ed Stasium; longtime CBGBs fixture BG Hacker; tour guide and Ramones fan Ann McDermott and music historian Jesse Rifkin, author of This Must Be The Place: Music, Community and Vanished Spaces in New York City.

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See the Bowery Boys live at Joe's Pub this October!

After listening to this show, check out the Bowery Boys podcasts on the history of the East Village:
#416 Creating the East Village
#417 Walking the East Village

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