Marky Ramone reflects on the legacy of the Ramones
Marky Ramone recalls his first experience with the Ramones live in 1974, describing it as a raw and chaotic moment that evolved into something unforgettable by his next encounter. “It was the beginning and they were honing their skills. They weren’t tight. They argued on stage. It really wasn’t together yet. But the second time I saw them,” he notes, “they kicked ass. I never heard any music like that. And that’s if you want to call it music. It was a barrage. It was like an attack. It was nonstop,” reports BritPanorama.
Initially known as Mark Bell, he became Marky Ramone in 1978, drumming with the influential punk band for 14 years. By the time he joined, the Ramones had already established their sonic blueprint: fast, brief, and raw rock music inspired by the 1950s, marked by catchy yet melancholic melodies. Classics like “Blitzkrieg Bop,” “Sheena Was a Punk Rocker,” and “Rockaway Beach” embodied the vibrant energy of New York’s punk scene.
The sound crafted by the Ramones has influenced popular music for over five decades, permeating the English punk scene and reaching bands like Green Day. Despite struggles with drugs and personal conflicts, the Ramones achieved critical acclaim, winning Grammy Awards and becoming the first punk band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They even made appearances on television shows such as The Simpsons.
Marky seized the opportunity to join the Ramones when original drummer Tommy stepped back to focus on production. Following a single rehearsal, he was brought on board. “We liked the same music. We all wore the same clothes. There was no need to change anything. We just morphed into what was going,” he explains.
Once integrated into the band, Marky began to assert his influence. He recorded the iconic track “I Wanna Be Sedated” and appeared in the cult classic film Rock and Roll High School, where the Ramones made cameo appearances. He reflects on their awkwardness in front of the camera, saying, “I had one line. We weren’t actors. We looked like a bunch of aliens that just landed.”
After the passing of original members Joey, Johnny, and Dee Dee in the early 2000s, as well as Tommy in 2014, Marky, now 73, stands as the last surviving member from the band’s formative years. He has taken on the role of historian, authoring the book Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life as a Ramone, which chronicles his life in Brooklyn and his struggles with alcoholism.
Since 2008, he has been touring with Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg, performing the Ramones’ classic hits. A UK tour is scheduled to begin in January. “The Ramones died too soon, and the songs are too good not to be played. I grew up with them and watched them unfortunately pass away, and it really hit me, you know? And I feel: ‘Who’s going to do it better?’”
As one of the younger members of the Ramones, Marky formed connections within the New York punk scene, frequenting venues like Max’s Kansas City and CBGB, where bands such as Blondie, Patti Smith, and Talking Heads emerged. He remembers the camaraderie present in that environment, stating, “There was no professional jealousy. It was camaraderie.”
Marky is also aware of the friction between the original Ramones. “Johnny was a very right-wing conservative. Me and Joey were Democrats, and Dee Dee basically an independent guy,” he recalls, pointing out that their differing political beliefs led to occasional arguments, particularly with Johnny’s racially charged comments towards Joey.
In an intriguing collaboration, the Ramones worked with Phil Spector on their fifth album, End of a Century. Marky describes the recording sessions as rife with tension due to Spector’s perfectionist tendencies. “He did have his idiosyncrasies, and he was a perfectionist. And Johnny took it wrong. He took it personal,” he states. He clarifies that while Spector did have a reputation for violence, “he never pointed a gun at us in the studio.”
Marky later formed a friendship with Spector, attending his Christmas parties and even supporting him during his trial for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. Reflecting on this, Marky seems conflicted, acknowledging Spector’s conviction while also expressing his belief in the man’s innocence.
After facing personal struggles with alcohol, Marky was dismissed from the Ramones in 1983 due to his drinking problems. Following two severe car accidents while intoxicated, he was forced into a choice: either prison or rehab. He chose recovery and attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings consistently, ultimately abstaining from alcohol altogether.
In 1987, Marky rejoined the Ramones, seamlessly integrating back into the band dynamic. Despite their farewell tour in 1996, the Ramones’ impact only grew, cemented by their 2002 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The subsequent deaths of his bandmates in the early 2000s left a profound effect on him. “They were young. They were in their 40s. I mean, it’s sad. They couldn’t enjoy the fruits of their labour,” he says, emphasizing the memories of good times spent together.
Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg tours the UK from 21 January (markyramone.com)
