Richie Ramone is the fastest, most powerful drummer who ever played with legendary punk rock band the Ramones.
He joined the legends in 1983 and first appeared with the band on their Subterranean Jungle tour.
Richie performed in over 500 shows around the world with the Ramones and wrote several critically-acclaimed and fan-favourite songs for the albums Animal Boy, Too Tough to Die and Halfway to Sanity.
Punk rock icon Joey Ramone remarked that Richie was the greatest thing to happen to the Ramones, putting the spirit back into the band.
Richie is notable as the only Ramones drummer to sing lead vocals on Ramones songs and he was also the only drummer to be the sole composer of Ramones songs including their hits Somebody Put Something in My Drink , I’m Not Jesus, Can’t Say Anything Nice, I Know Better Now, Humankind and Smash You.
In 2013, Richie released his first solo album, Entitled, which featured new songs written by Richie as well as new recordings of songs he wrote for the Ramones. This Friday night (December 2) you can hear those tracks in the live when he plays Milton Keynes.
It’s not often you get a Ramone rollin’ into Wolverton, so come on, off the sofa and into The Craufurd Arms with yer!
Punk trio Knock Off will open the bash, and tickets are on sale at £12 in advance here
Richie went On Track with Total MK…
The song that first awakened your musical senses
Probably a hymn in Latin because I grew up Roman Catholic and my Mom would take us to church every Sunday. I quickly learned how to get off the root note and sing harmony to all the songs and phrases. Then there was Elvis and the Beatles. Music kept evolving and changing quickly in the sixties and seventies. It was a great time to grow up in America.
Physical or digital - how do you take your music?
Mostly digital now. You have all your music in alphabetical order and can access it with one click. You can keep it all in your pocket too.
The first time you thought 'Music - this is the job for me'
At a very early age I knew that I was put on the planet to be an artist. I believe you are born with this special energy that lives inside you, and when it does surface, it will lead you down a path to the entertainment industry. There is no stopping that.
Your best on stage memory...
We played a festival in Belgium to 250,000 people. It was insane because I had broken my wrist the night before riding a scooter. It was dark and I hit a hole and flew over the handle bars. They shot me up with pain killers and the show went on without a hitch. That was the largest crowd I ever performed in front of.
And the worst gig you've ever done
There is no such thing as a bad gig. Everyone is special in it's own way, whether you thought it sucked or it was great. That's an important lesson that must be learned as an entertainer.
What made you take up drumming
As a kid, my parents made all of us learn an instrument (I have four other siblings) because they felt it helped with your childhood. It was like learning a skill, so at 6 years old I got a drum teacher. I always liked tapping on my chest and beating on the car dashboard, and in kindergarten I only wanted to play the sand blocks. I never wanted to blow into anything like a trumpet, but I loved making beats. I had this primal instinct going.
Which one song by another artist do you wish you'd have written
There are many but "Eighteen" by Alice Cooper is near the top of the list. Great lyrics that spoke to me as a kid. Wow!
And one - by yourself - which holds special significance
"Somebody Put Something In My Drink" will always stand out, because from the beginning, I knew that the song was special. I told Dee Dee the true story behind "Drink", and he said I should write it. Thank you Dee Dee!
If you could step into the shoes of another musician, living or dead, who would it be and what would you do?
Don't we all want to be Iggy or as cool as Keith Richards?
Are there any current influences you look to
I just like good music and listen to many different styles. I find that having an open mind to all styles of music, makes you a more well rounded musician and better at your craft.
Finally, plug your show at The Craufurd Arms in Milton Keynes - what can we expect?
We do a high energy set that will leave you exhausted but still wanting more. You will hear songs off my latest album "Cellophane", as well as songs I wrote for the Ramones, and of course a couple classic's from their extensive catalog. I also come out front right after the show to meet the fans, take pics and sign whatever they like.
I think it's important to say hello to everyone and not run away and hide. That's the least I can do and I love hearing what is on their mind.
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