Formed in 1974 Forest Hills, Queens, the Ramones are often cited as the first definitive punk rock band.  While only attaining a modicum of commercial success, there can be no argument as to how vastly influential the band has been.  Arguably, the Ramones inspired the emergence of hardcore punk, pop punk and alternative rock.  All of this while somewhat all oddly adopting pseudonyms ending with the surname Ramone.  By 2014, all original member had died.  But, their music will live on forever.

Never ones for seeking accolades beyond their abilities, they have still often mentioned among rock’s top rankers for their contributions.  Among these honor are that the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.  In 2011, the group received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Their debut album Ramones was released on April 23, 1976.  An interesting aspect of this album was the deliberate decision to use similar audio output techniques as the Beatles.

The band’s well recognized opening song is Biltzkrieg Bop.  From there the subject matter of the songs incorporates violence, relationship issues, humor and a plethora of questionable topics.  Most of the album is uptempo and there is one cover, Let’s Dance  by Chris Montez.  Although peaking at 11 on the Billboard 200, this album went on to inspire the Sex Pistols, the Buzzcocks and the Clash.   Aloha Promises Forever rates this album a 10 out of 10 for what it was and it influential legacy.

You may listen to Ramones at: