It’s Been 50 Years Since the Ramones First Played CBGB

Rhino celebrates anniversary with reissues and a ferry ride to Rockaway Beach

August 16, 2024August 17, 2024 Ron Hart 0 Comments ” Ramones, 1974, 50th anniversary, CBGB, Road to Ruin, Rocket to Russia, The Bowery, The Ramones, Tim Sommer, Too Tough To Die

On this night 50 years ago, the Ramones played their first show as a quartet at CBGB on the Bowery in New York City.

I was reminded of this by a post from resident Rock & Roll Globe superstar Tim Sommer on Facebook earlier today.

“By certain reckonings, the modern punk rock era began fifty years ago tonight, when the Ramones played their first gig at CBGB. (We use ‘modern’ to distinguish the mid-1970s punk and alternative reset/market correction from earlier punk precursors like the Stooges, VU, Dolls, Monks et al.),” he wrote. “Now, even though finding any ‘first’ or ‘first night’ is wobbly and tricky business at best (both the Saints and Dr. Feelgood, who were fairly inarguably modern punk bands and who each had a profound impact on the punk scenes in their respective continents, comparable with the Ramones impact in North America, were already up and running by 16 August 1974), this date is one hell of a landmark night in music history.”

“We adored the Ramones the first time we saw them, and it was early,” lauded Robert Chistgau in the Village Voice at the time. “Short, fast, catchy songs with a good beat. Just as simple as that.”

Various ads from the Village Voice of the Ramones playing CBGB (Image: The Ramones)

The Ramones would go on to play CBGB some 70 times through the years, forever connecting the two as both the band and venue have become defining elements of New York City culture.

To commemorate the band’s 50th anniversary, Rhino Entertainment kicks off a series of events and special releases starting with a NYC Ferry ride to Rockaway Beach in Queens curated by the label. Between today and tomorrow, Rhino has curated three custom commutes to Rockaway Beach, to and from Manhattan multiple times per day. Two-boat party ferries will be decked out in Ramones decor for the “Rockaway Route,” with Ramones music playing onboard, raffles and giveaways happening throughout the weekend, and free samples of locally-owned Rockaway Soda. When riders depart, Rockaway Beach Bakery will also offer Ramones-themed items to enjoy.

On the reissue front, unfortunately we are not getting a deluxe edition of End of the Century with the Ed Stasium mix of the original LP just yet (hopefully soon?). However, Vinyl Me, Please be offering Rocket To Russia as their September 2024 Essentials Record of the Month, pressed on 180g “Gabba Gabba Hey” vinyl with lacquers cut from master tapes (AAA) by Ryan Smith. It includes a Listening Notes booklet written by Nicholas Rombes, and an art print of the band members by Oliver Barrett.

The Ramones Too Tough To Die, Sire Records 1984

The 40th Anniversary edition of Too Tough To Die, meanwhile, will be featured as VMP’s September 2024 Rock Record of the Month, pressed on 180g Blue Cloudy vinyl. A limited edition Road To Ruin LP will also be available as part of the collection, pressed on 180g Orange Cloudy vinyl.

Find more information and order each title at vinylmeplease.com, beginning August 30th.