If that makes them trailblazers, then at least now they're receiving the attention and praise they deserved from the get-go. They were self-proclaimed freaks who got over love grudges (Johnny stole Joey's girl) and political differences (Johnny was really conservative, the others really weren't) to play rock music. Those who aren't Ramones fans really should be. Most of the stories will probably be familiar, but the film's intimacy may recall those lost memories of when you first heard Joey's graveled insecurities atop Johnny's chugging guitar and Tommy's military pounding. "End of the Century" should be on the to-see list of Ramones fans. Even more than a musical style, it was an attitude: Take what's traditionally deemed ugly, unacceptable and uncool, and make it beautiful. Regardless of where punk stands today, it was born as outsiders' music, never meant to make it on the Billboard charts or be played in stadiums. The Ramones are often lumped in with British bands of the same era or vein (Sex Pistols, the Damned, the Stranglers, the Clash), while in fact they were the inspiration behind most of these guys. The Ramones were cool, like weird caricatures of 1950s greasers who were rejected for being a little too rough around the edges.
Joey Ramone called what drew the four together "a strong chemical imbalance." They weren't exactly the best of friends nor did they have any sort of smooth success, but their admirers came from all over, from Joe Strummer to Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore to record producer Rick Rubin. Joey died from cancer in 2001, Dee Dee overdosed a year later and Johnny lost his battle with prostate cancer Wednesday. Precious little is known about backgrounds of the various Ramones, save the customarily mumbled information that original members Joey, Dee Dee, Johnny and. In the past four years, three of the original members have passed away. Recently there has been a flood of adoration for the band, a Ramones revival unfortunately coinciding with the deaths of some key players.
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