Ramones

"But she just couldn't stay
She had to break away"

When you ask about a band which invented punk rock, almost always you'll get an answer: "Sex Pistols". But if you look at the dates, there is one band who actually did it earlier. They called themselves Ramones and formed in 1974 (a year before Sex Pistols). If you've never heard them, you definitely should give it a try.

If you think of Johnny Rotten's 'rotten' voice every time you hear someone says 'punk rock' then you might consider Ramones' music a little strange. Well, it is different. You won't find anger, hate nor political allusions in their lyrics (there is one exception - song below). It's just positive, simple (very easy to learn for beginner guitar players) music. And I think that's the cause of their success.

Now Ramones is considered as one of the most influental band in the history of rock'n'roll. Not everyone will like their music though. Especially those who started from listening to modern pop-punk bands may find Ramones' songs as unattractive or simply boring. But in the 70's they were something completely new and revolutionary. And they were source of inspiration for many younger bands.

Ramones

Past members:
Dee Dee Ramone
Johnny Ramone
Joey Ramone
Tommy Ramone
Marky Ramone
Richie Ramone
Elvis Ramone (Clem Burke)
C. J. Ramone

Discography:
 Ramones (1976)
 Leave Home (1977)
 Rocket to Russia (1977)
 Road to Ruin (1978)
 End of the Century (1980)
 Pleasant Dreams (1981)
 Subterranean Jungle (1983)
 Too Tough to Die (1984)
 Animal Boy (1986)
 Halfway to Sanity (1987)
 Brain Drain (1989)
 Mondo Bizarro (1992)
 Acid Eaters (1993)
 ¡Adios Amigos! (1995)
 

http://www.myspace.com/ramones