The Ramones are considered to be innovators of the punk genre. Formed in New York in 1974, the Ramones broke music down to its most basic elements and sped it up. Their first four albums are considered to be the essential blueprint for aspiring punk bands everywhere. The band stuck to their script, hardly altering their style in the 20 years they were together.

The Ramones began with four Queens youths who all took the last name Ramone and dressed like 1950’s greasers. Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone and Dee Ramone started by playing short sets of fast-paced two-minute songs at New York clubs with Tommy Ramone acting as their manager. Tommy eventually got in the mix as drummer, seating original drummer Joey as the frontman, and the group secured their first record contract in 1975. Their debut album, Ramones, was made on the cheap, but managed to reach number 111 on the charts. After their second record, Ramones Leave Home, reached number 48 on the U.K. charts, the Ramones, along with the Sex Pistols, were being viewed as one of the revolutionary bands of the punk movement.

Tommy Ramone left the group in 1977 but would return in other capacities as the years went on. He was replaced by Marky Ramone and the band kept releasing records while maintaining a demanding touring schedule. The Ramones teamed up with renowned producer Phil Spector in 1979 to work on their fifth album. End of the Century was released in 1980 and their cover of Ronnettes song “Baby I Love You” became a Top 10 hit in the U.K. The album was the Ramones biggest U.S. success, reaching number 44 on the charts.

Following the band’s seventh album, Subterranean Jungle, Marky Ramone left the band and was replaced by Richie Ramone but later returned to the band in 1987. In the early 90’s the Ramones sobered up with multiple members receiving treatment for alcohol abuse. Their final record, Adios Amigos, was intended to be a farewell album and to be followed by a farewell tour. The album didn’t experience much success, but a long tour followed its release and was thought to be the final go round for the group, but the band was talked into playing on the Lollapalooza tour before calling it quits.

The original three performers, Joey, Johnny and Dee Dee, have all passed away, but their music and their memory rages on in every punk band that was influenced by these pioneers of the genre.