The Ramones were a massively influential rock band often credited with founding American punk. They were know for their short, intensely energetic pop punk songs, and for their distinctive look, with long dark hair, leather jackets, and shades.

The self-titled Ramones was produced on a minuscule budget and released in 1975. Not initially a success, it proved a surprise hit in the UK after the band toured there, and later took off on the west coast of the U.S. In less than two years the band recorded two follow-up albums, Leave Home and Rocket to Russia, and toured extensively. Tommy left the band, though he continued to produce their songs, and he was replaced by Mark Bell (Marky). They gained excellent reviews and developed a loyal cult following but remained unsuccessful at breaking into the mainstream despite working with the likes of Phil Spector.

In 1979 the Ramones broke into the world of cinema with starring roles in Roger Corman's Rock n' Roll High School, which also featured PJ Soles, Dey Young, and Lorna Doom. They also made an impact on television as the first band to be interviewed on MTV. Later, they would appear in animated form on The Simpsons.

Despite their relaxed attitude towards inebriation, the band struggled to cope when Marky became an alcoholic, and in 1983 he was replaced by Richie (Richard Reinhardt). Six years later, after eleven albums, Dee Dee left the band, though he continued to write occasional songs for them over the next seven years. He was replaced by CJ (Christopher Joseph Ward) and went on to pursue a solo career as a rapper under the name Dee Dee King. The Ramones released four more albums, even though, for much of this period, Joey and Johnny were not on speaking terms, Johnny having allegedly stolen Joey's girlfriend Linda (whom he was later to marry). On 1996, after appearing at Lollapalooza, the band disbanded. Joey died of lymphoma in 2001, shortly after which an album of his solo work was released. Dee Dee overdosed on heroin the following year and Johnny died of prostate cancer in 2004.

Despite their limited commercial success, The Ramones had an enormous impact on the development of rock music and have been cited as an influence by artists including The Damned, The Clash, The Dead Kennedys, and The Undertones. Their work has been covered numerous times and they have been the subject of several tribute albums including contributions from bands such as Motorhead, U2, Die Toten Hosen, L7, and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Billie Joe Armstrong, Tre Cool, and members of Green Day even named their children in honor of The Ramones.

YUDDY