Ramones: The antidote to boring music
What They DID! The Ramones didn't just start New York punk; they stripped rock and roll down to its chassis and rebuilt it in a garage in Queens. By 1974, mainstream rock had become bloated - ten-minute drum solos, silk capes, and enough dry ice to hide a small village. The Ramones were the antidote. Here is how they ignited the fire at CBGB and changed music forever. The CBGB Incubation (1974–1975) While bands like Television and Patti Smith were already playing at Hilly Kristal’s club, they were "artistic" and "poetic." The Ramones were a shock to the system. The First Show: August 16, 1974. They played for about 12 minutes. They spent half the time arguing with each other and restarting songs. The Speed: They played so fast that the audience couldn't tell where one song ended and the next began. It wasn't about "talent" in the traditional sense; it was about pure, unadulterated energy. The Blueprint: Ramones (1976) When their self-titled de...