Some bands leave behind a catalogue. Others leave behind a movement. Fifty years after the Ramones released the album that helped kick open the doors for punk rock, a group of friends and lifelong fans is coming together to celebrate the band that changed everything.
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A new supergroup called Cretin Family will make its debut at The Official Ramones 50th Anniversary Tribute on August 30 at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles. The lineup features Green Day‘s Billie Joe Armstrong, Rancid‘s Tim Armstrong, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and former Ramones bassist CJ Ramone, with additional surprise guests expected to join the celebration.
The event marks five decades since the release of the Ramones’ groundbreaking 1976 self-titled debut, the album that introduced classics like Blitzkrieg Bop, Judy Is A Punk and Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue, and helped spark the punk revolution.
“This is gonna be the biggest celebration of the Ramones anyone has seen for a long time!!!” CJ Ramone said.
For Billie Joe Armstrong, the band’s influence has never faded.
“The spirit of the Ramones is alive in every backyard punk show, punk club and festival. Generation after generation of cretins and weirdos become Ramones lovers. Kids are influenced by the Ramones and they don’t even know it yet. ¡Viva Ramones!”
Tim Armstrong echoed that lifelong admiration.
“From the moment I first heard the Ramones, music was never the same. They are my favourite band of all time! I can’t wait to play those great and perfect Ramones songs with my friends CJ, Travis and Billie. It’s gonna be wild!”
Travis Barker called the Ramones the foundation of punk rock.
“The Ramones are the blueprint. Punk rock wouldn’t be what it is today without them. I’m honoured to celebrate 50 years of one of the greatest bands ever!!!”
The evening will be hosted by John Travolta and will also feature a double screening celebrating the 50th anniversary deluxe edition of Carrie alongside Travolta’s directorial debut, Propeller One-Way Night Coach. Artist Shepard Fairey will also perform a guest DJ set.
“Two years ago, I had the pleasure of experiencing the Hollywood Forever Johnny Ramone Tribute for the first time,” Travolta said. “It was a blast, and I want to return again for the Ramones tribute! With showing something new, my directorial debut, Propeller One-Way Night Coach. And something old, the 50th anniversary of original Carrie. It is going to be a fun night. See you there!”
Linda Ramone is looking forward to welcoming both longtime fans and newcomers.
“I’m excited to celebrate the best band ever with Ramones fans from all over the world, and to welcome our new generation of fans. See you at Hollywood Forever. Hey Ho, Let’s Go! Gabba Gabba Hey!”
Proceeds from the event will benefit David Agus MD Cancer Research at the Ellison Institute.
The anniversary celebration also includes a pair of special releases from Rhino. A limited-edition picture disc of Ramones arrives July 17, followed by a coloured 2LP edition of Live At The Roxy, 8/12/76 on July 31 as part of the Spirit Of ’76 campaign.
Green Day and Rancid have celebrated the Ramones before, both contributing to the 2003 tribute album We’re A Happy Family: A Tribute To Ramones. Green Day recorded Outsider, while Rancid covered Sheena Is A Punk Rocker.
Fifty years later, the Ramones’ music is still bringing generations of punk fans together. Is there another debut album that has had a bigger impact on punk rock than Ramones?
