The Intruders
Los Gusanos
The Ramainz
Dee Dee Ramone

Studio Albums
Compilations
Live Albums
Misc. Audio & Video
Unreleased Songs

Hard-to-find songs in
MP3 and RealAudio

Other great
Ramones links

Frequently
Asked
Questions

Expand your Ramones knowledge

New: 
A detailed look at Johnny's guitars

Updated December 1, 1999

What are the Ramones' real names?

Joey - Jeffry Hyman
Johnny - John Cummings
Dee Dee - Douglas Colvin
Marky - Marc Bell
Tommy - Thomas Erdelyi
C.J. - Christopher Joseph Ward
Richie - Richie Reinhardt

How old are the Ramones?

Joey was born May 19, 1951.
Johnny was born October 8, 1948.
Dee Dee was born September 18, 1951.
Marky was born July 15, 1956.
Tommy was born January 29, 1952.
C.J. was born October 8, 1965.
Richie was born August 11, 1957.

Where did the name "Ramones" come from?

There have been numerous answers given to this question.  One is that Paul McCartny used the name Paul Ramone when the Beatles were know as the Silver Beatles.  Another explanation is that while in the Beatles, Paul would use the surname Ramone when checking into hotels to hide his true identity.  Dee Dee said the band liked producer Phil Ramone (Billy Joel, Simon and Garfunkel).

How many albums have the Ramones released?

The Ramones have released 14 studio albums.  They are:

• 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 Bizzaro (1992)
• Acid Eaters (an album of cover songs) (1994)
• Adios Amigos (1995)

Weren't the Ramones in a movie?

Yes.  The Ramones were in the 1979 motion picture Rock 'n' Roll Highschool, directed by Allan Arkush.  The Ramones were featured prominently in this film about high school student Riff Randle (played by P.J. Soles) and her quest to get tickets to an upcoming Ramones show.  Rock 'n' Roll High School is available on videocassette and laser disc, and the soundtrack is still available on compact disc.

What is the story behind the song "Carbona Not Glue"?

Carbona was a brand of cleaning fluid one could sniff to get high.  "Carbona Not Glue" originally appeared on the Ramones' second album, Leave Home.  Soon after it was released, however, the record company decided to remove in from the album to avoid any potential lawsuits for using a corporate trademark.  In the U.S., "Carbona Not Glue" was replaced by Sheena Is a Punk Rocker", and in the U.K. by "Babysitter".  Very few of the original Leave Home albums were manufactured, and today they are difficult to find and very sought after by Ramones fans.  Fortunately, a live version of the song can be found on the U.S. release of Loco Live.  It is hidden between tracks 17 and 18.  It is not mentioned anywhere on the album.

What is that funny looking guitar that Johnny plays?

Johnny was almost always seen playing a Mosrite Ventures II model.  He played the same white guitar with black pickgaurd for almost his entire career.  He also used a black guitar with a white pickgaurd often as a backup.  He bought his first Mosrite at Manny's Guitar Center in New York for fifty dollars.  Johnny says he liked the Mosrite because it was different than what everybody else was using and it was cheap.  For a detailed look at Johnny's guitars, click here.

What Does "Gabba Gabba Hey" Mean?

The Ramones made "Gabba Gabba Hey" their slogan beginning with the song "Pinhead," which contained the lyrics "Gabba Gabba we accept you, we accept you one of us" and the outro of "Gabba Gabba Hey!, Gabba Gabba Hey!....".  During their live shows, a roadie dressed up as a pinhead would come on stage carrying a huge sign with "Gabba Gabba Hey" written on it.  The slogan comes from a scene the 1932 motion picture Freaks, in which the characters chant "gooble, gobble."

What are the lyrics to "Wart Hog"?

The song "Wart Hog" appears on the album Too Tough To Die.  Sung by Dee Dee, the lyrics were almost indecipherable.  While the lyrics to the other songs on the album were provided, the lyrics for "Wart Hog" were not.  Supposedly, the record company felt they were too offensive.  The verses are:

I take some dope I fell so sick
It's a sick world, sick, sick, sick
Doomsday vision of junkies and fags
Artificial phonies, I hate it, hate it

Death, death death is the price I pay
It's a sick world, what can I say
No such thing as an even break
It's stealing and cheating, take, take, take

I wanna puke I can't sit still
Just took some dope and I feel ill
It's a sick world, sick, sick, sick
It's a hopeless life, I hate it, hate it

It's a joke, its a lie, it's a rip-off, man
It's an outlaw life, we're a renegade band
Doomsday visions of commies and queers
Artificial phonies, I hate it, hate it

Copyright Taco Tunes, 1984 ASCAP. Reprinted without permission.

Did the Beastie Boys sample a Ramones song?

Yes, on their 1989 album, Paul's Boutique.  The song "High Plains Drifter" contains a sample of the Ramones' song "Suzy Is A Headbanger."  It is found at 3:45 into the song.

Why did Tommy Ramone leave the band?

Tommy was with the band from the beginning, and drummed on their first three studio albums.  Tommy's last show was May 4, 1978, at CBGB in New York. Tommy left under amiable terms, citing a dislike of touring and desire to be a producer.  He returned to produce the albums Road to Ruin and Too Tough To Die.

Why did Marky Ramone leave the band?

Marky was Tommy's replacement, joining the band in 1978.  His first show was on June 29, 1978, in Poughkeepsie, New York.  Marky suffered from a severe drinking problem which led to his departure in 1983.  In fact, his drinking problem even caused him to miss a show on October 10, 1981, in Virginia Beach.  Marky's last show before being replaced by Richie Ramone was November 27, 1982, in Islip, Long Island.  Marky returned to the Ramones in 1987.

Why did Richie Ramone leave the band?

Richie's joined the band in 1983 and played his first show on February 13 in Utica, New York.  Richie quit the band unexpectedly after a show in Easthampton, N.Y., on August 12, 1987.  The Ramones were forced to cancel three shows.   The book Ramones: An American Band, by Jim Bessman, states that Richie may have quit over a disagreement over pay, but does not give any details.  Bessman also writes that "not surprisingly, none of the remaining Ramones speak favorably of Richie."

Who is Clem Burke?

With the album Halfway To Sanity about to be released and a series of important shows coming up, the Ramones were desperate to find a replacement for drummer Richie, who quit the band unexpectedly.  They quickly chose Clem Burke, who had previously played with Blondie and Chequered Past.  Clem's first show was August 28, 1987, in Providence, Rhode Island.  His second and last show was the very next night in Trenton, New Jersey.  For a review of this show, click here.  Clem's drumming style just didn't fit the Ramones, and Johnny called the two shows "a disaster."  Fortunately, Marky had sobered up and returned to take Clem's place.  Marky's return to the band was on September 4, 1987, in Oyster Bay, Long Island.  Clem had planned on using the name Elvis Ramone.

Why did Dee Dee Ramone leave the band?

Numerous reasons have been cited for Dee Dee's departure.  In Ramones: An American Band, by Jim Bessman, Dee Dee's wife Vera says the reason was a combination of the pressure of touring, constant songwriting, and recording, as well as his difficulties with sobriety.  Johnny says that "I'm not really sure why Dee Dee quit.  I never really knew what went on in his head."  Dee Dee's last show was July 5, 1989, in Santa Clara, California.  Dee Dee's replacement was C.J. who played his first show on September 30, 1989, in Leicester, England.

Who was Dee Dee King?

Dee Dee King was Dee Dee Ramone.  In 1987, Dee Dee decided that he would like to pursue a rap career, and started using the name Dee Dee King.  His first release was a 12 inch single for the song "Funky Man".  In 1988 he released an album, Standing In The Spotlight.  The album was not very successful, and no more was heard from Dee Dee King.

Who is Richie Beau?

Richie Ramone's real name was Richie Reinhardt.  When he first joined the Ramones, however, he used the name Richie Beau.  He signed autographs this way during the Subterranean Jungle tour in 1983.

Is it true that Johnny was almost killed in a fight?

In August, 1983, Johnny got in a fight with Seth Macklin of the band Sub Zero Construction.  Johnny was kicked in the head and suffered extensive injuries which required brain surgery.  The event made the newspapers across the country.  Johnny recovered, and the next album was titled Too Tough To Die.

Who are Los Gusanos?

Ramones bassist C.J. has been in the band Los Gusanos since at least 1992, when they released the single "Quick To Cut" B/W "Ride" on Vital Music Records.  In 1994, they released a CD single for the song "I'd Love To Save The World".  Their debut, self-titled album was released in 1997.   Los Gusanos sound is hard rock/metal, and is very different than the Ramones.  Click here for more information on Los Gusanos.

Who are The Intruders?

After the Ramones retired, drummer Marky formed his own band called Marky Ramone and The Intruders and released a self-titled album on Thirsty Ear Records.  The music is very similar to the Ramones, and any fan should enjoy it.  For more information, click here.

Who are The Ramainz

After the Ramones called it quits, the Remains were born.  Initially, the band consisted of Marky on drums, C.J. on guitar, Dee Dee on guitar, and Barbara Zampini (Dee Dee's wife) on bass.  They played occasionally around the New York area.  The band eventually became a trio after C.J. stopped performing with them.  In 1999, they changed their name to The Ramainz, since there was already another band name The Remains.  For more information on The Ramainz, click here.

Is there an official Ramones Web Site?

On December 1, 1999, www.officialramones.com opened.  It is the official Ramones Web site, and is run by Arturo Vega, who has worked for the band since 1974.  Go there for band information, rare photos, and to join the Ramones 1*2*3*4 Fan Club.

Why did the Ramones call it quits?

Almost all accounts of the Ramones retirement focus on Johnny's desire to quit before they were too old to play like they had in the past.  He felt that many other bands (he often cited the Rolling Stones) continued to play even when they could not perform their own songs adequately.  Johnny wanted to end it while the band was still good.  The other members of the band did not necessarily share Johnny's views.  The Ramones played their last show together on August 6, 1996, in Los Angeles, CA.

More to come.....